Virogenomics: Private company plays pivotal role in technology commercialization
By Cheryl Coupé

Virogenomics is a privately held Oregon-based, biotechnology company whose business strategy is to identify and obtain rights to early-stage technologies, manage and develop these technologies to a critical phase, and then spin off the developed technologies into new start-up companies. Virogenomics works closely with the tech transfer offices of OHSU, PSU, and OSU.

According to Jeff King, Virogenomics’ chief operating officer, “We provide a business prospective on technology evaluation and planning, and access to grants that are only available through small businesses, such as the SBIR and STTR grants. Through our relationships with multiple universities, researchers, and consultants, we can help form collaborative teams that strengthen projects by bringing together all the pieces.”

Virogenomics receives SBIR award, spins off company to commercialize technology

Virogenomics was recently awarded a Phase I SBIR award from NSF for developing an allergy diagnostic in collaboration with Portland State University. King explains, “Previous funding for the project included a $2 million grant from the National Institute of Standards, Advanced Technology that enabled us to develop a novel diagnostic platform. We have also received funding from ONAMI’s Gap Program on a complementary project.”

Virogenomics has spun off the biosensor/diagnostic platform into Flash Sensor Tech, which is currently testing prototype devices and is seeking equity financing to commercialize the technology. Flash Sensor Tech, a new Virogenomics-launched company, was formed to commercialize the diagnostic technology. 

Virogenomics’ past commercialization successes

To date, Virogenomics has obtained rights to technologies in therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics. The general disease areas for the therapeutic technologies are autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and stroke. The autoimmune technology was spun-off in 2004 into a subsidiary named Artielle ImmunoTherapeutics, Inc.. Equity investors in Artielle included Sanderling Ventures, UV Partners, Tenex Greenhouse and Northwest Technology Ventures. Artielle has completed a Phase 1 clinical trial with its lead compound to treat multiple sclerosis.

Cheryl Coupé is a freelance technology writer, editor for EE Catalog (www.eecatalog.com), and the editor-in-chief of the BiO quarterly newsletter. Find more information at www.scribo.net or contact her at cheryl@scribo.net.