Thursday, May 28, 2009

MicroPhage Doubles Offices and Laboratories, Eyes Future Growth

Company Press Release

LONGMONT, COLORADO , MAY 28 – Despite the state of today’s economy, one rising star of Boulder County ’s burgeoning medical diagnostic community is growing. MicroPhage, Inc. announced today its expansion of its facilities in the Trade Centre Park in Longmont to accommodate company expansion through 2009. The move makes the Colorado medical diagnostic company the largest tenant in the building, occupying approximately half of the high tech-incubator facility. The Company intends to use the space to facilitate growth in both office based employees and laboratory staff in 2009, including an FDA registered manufacturing facility.

“When MicroPhage moved into Longmont in November 2004 the company had only 4 full-time employees and today we currently have 25 dedicated people,” said MicroPhage COO, Alene Campbell. “ Longmont has been a good choice for us to find high quality staff from a growing biotechnology industry.”

The growth in biotechnology development in Longmont is one of many for property owners, Circle Capital Property Management, LLC who owns the Trade Centre Park in Longmont . Details of the expansion deal and plans were not made available.

Expansion of Laboratory, Manufacturing Space

MicroPhage is doubling its laboratory space with this new deal. The expansion includes additional Research and Development laboratory space, laboratory support space, and a new manufacturing suite. The manufacturing suite will support the Company’s manufacturing of its platform medical diagnostic products for the rapid and easy to use identification of bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that are expected to be on the US market early next year.

In order to facilitate commercial product launch and future growth, MicroPhage needed to expand and upgrade its capabilities. The company is in the process of fully implementing their Quality Management System to comply with FDA and International Organization for Standards (ISO) requirements, in addition to physical infrastructure improvements.

“Creating a high quality manufacturing suite is a huge step forward for the company on our way to commercial product launch. We now have the capability, equipment, flexibility and control to reliably manufacture our products.” said Preston Brown, MicroPhage’s Director of Manufacturing.

MicroPhage anticipates receiving ISO 13485 certification and CE marking in September, which will allow for sales and marketing of its first product in the EU and Canada .

Expansion of Office Space

The expansion includes the addition of more office space for the early stage company, including several offices added earlier in the year. The expansion includes additional office space, an expanded company conference space, as well as a donation room for the company’s ongoing onsite clinical work with volunteer subjects. The company intends to hire additional staff over the next year, including manufacturing, research, sales & marketing, and quality control.

Funding in Hard Times

Though the emerging medical technology sector has taken a hit because of the tightening of the venture capital market, long-term prospects for investments in healthcare continue to be highly rated. MicroPhage has developed a large network of Angel Investors, primarily high net-worth individuals, to fund the company since 2003, rather than relying on the often venture capital. “We really owe our success to our investors,” says MicroPhage CEO, Steve Lundy, “In these hard financial times, MicroPhage, like many early-stage companies could have folded because of the lack of capital in the markets. Our investors really believe in our technology, our product, and our vision to make a difference in healthcare by bringing diagnostics closer to patients and their physicians and out of the lab. It is because of their continued support we can not just survive, but continue to grow through this period.”

About MicroPhage

MicroPhage is based in Longmont , Colorado and is privately held by a network of Angel Investors, many of whom are Colorado residents. The core technology, bacteriophage amplification, was first described at the Colorado School of Mines and MicroPhage holds an exclusive worldwide license on the technology. The company is working to be a global leader in developing rapid diagnostics products for bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility/resistance testing. Using its bacteriophage-based amplification platform, the company has developed a patented process that is a product platform for rapid, easy-to-use, inexpensive diagnostic tests. Its first products, expected in late 2009, will set a new standard for clinicians in MRSA identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing, and are designed to fit the demands of hospitals and laboratories of all sizes. F or further inf or mation, go to www.microphage.com.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Salute to Seniors Expo - Denver, June 3d, 2009

Denver, CO. Shirley Jones, Oscar Award winner for best supporting actress in Elmer Gantry, star of the TV show The Partridge Family, and as well as one of the leading female roles the Broadway musical Oklahoma! is coming to the 20th Annual Salute to Seniors on June 3, 2009 at the Colorado Convention Center, Denver. She will be performing on the main stage at 10 am and at 1 pm.

More than 130 vendors will display products and services aimed towards seniors and their families, while sporting this year’s theme: Movies of the 1950’s. Hundreds of prizes will be given away throughout the day from the vendors.

Informational programs include: Hearing Aid Technology, Identity Theft, and Financial Planning for Long Term Care. New this year, a health fair will offer free bone density tests, glucose tests, cholesterol levels, and other tests. Cardiovascular screenings will be available for $30. In addition, pharmacists will be on hand to safely dispose of out of date medications and medication related waste.

Some vendors will also be recruiting seniors who are looking for full or part time work.

Patrons can play 1950’s trivia bingo and win fresh flowers, free books, gift certificates to restaurants, retail shops and theatre tickets. The grand prize of the day is a three-day cruise with airfare.

Baby boomers all across Colorado are faced with questions about where to turn for help for a parent. But, little things such as picking up medications, quickly become chaotic for families. A stop at the store means Mom might be left alone for too long.

If you see yourself in this situation, take a power hour and attend the elder care fair which offers one-stop shopping for baby boomers that are looking to manage a parent’s life, as well as ways to avoid this horribly scary situation for their own retirement. Experts are ready to answer questions, present solutions, and increase awareness about problems facing the senior population.

Doors open at 8:30 am and close at 4:00 pm. The first ticket costs $7 and the second ticket is $3.50; groups of 10 or more are $5 per ticket. Call 303-333-3482 to buy a ticket or visit www.senioranswers.org

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Carbondale Events and Festivities - June 2009

Summer in Carbondale is made for festivals, concerts, and fairs. Our love of music has spawned season after season of performances in venues from parks to streets to pubs. The rodeo, classic car rallies, and local farmers' market bring lively color to the town. Join us this summer at the many events Carbondale has to offer!

Upcoming Carbondale Events:

* May 30: La Dolce Vita, formerly Cajun Clay Night, is very popular, with people lining up at the door; this Carbondale Clay Center annual event has great Cajun food, a costume contest, drinks, live music, and local pottery. Located at 135 Main Street in Carbondale. Click here for more information, or call the Clay Center at (970) 963-2529.

* June 5-6: Valley Cruisers Car Show. This antique car show and parade is held on Main Street in historic downtown Carbondale. Enjoy food, prizes, and fun! Click here for more information.


* June 12-13: Annual Music & Lobster Fest. Feast on fresh lobster flown in from Maine and enjoy the music of many local bands and performers. Take in local food vendors, locally grown farmers' market, and kid's carnival. Located in Sopris Park. For more information, click here, or call at (970) 963-3304.

* June 13: Great Balls of Fire. Fancy crockery and crystal will be replaced by ordinary plates and humble vessels. The "Bailout" band will play music to move locals from the dinner table to the dance floor. Barter and bargain hunters will be presented with a roomful of items and services for the silent auction and a select few gems will be auctioned off live. Click here for more information.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Cougar Canyon and McGetrick Golf Academy Join Forces

Press Release

Colorado’s #1 Public Access Course Teams-Up with Colorado’s #1 Golf School

Whoever said “great things come in pairs” must have said it with great golf in mind. Beginning in May, Cougar Canyon and McGetrick Golf Academy will be offering the “Colorado’s Best Golf Getaway” weekend package. “It was a natural fit. Both Cougar Canyon and McGetrick Golf agree that we only want to do business with the best,” said Cougar Canyon’s Marketing Director, Michael Butcher. In March of this year, Cougar Canyon Golf Links won “#1 Best Course You Can Play in Colorado” by Golfweek Magazine.

McGetrick Golf Academy also has won its share of accolades. The academy was recently named one of the “Top 25 Golf Schools in America” by GOLF Magazine, and the school has a national following. In fact, many consider the academy to be one of the top ten in the country. According to the owner of McGetrick Golf Academy, Brian Thomson, PGA and LPGA touring pros under McGetrick Golf Academy instruction have won more professional tournaments than pros at the other top ten golf schools combined.

So, what can the non-pros expect when they visit Cougar Canyon? For less than $500, guests will enjoy three hours of instruction from an academy staff professional; a night’s stay, greens’ fees and cart; unlimited range time, and a gourmet lunch and dinner by Cougar Canyon’s Executive Chef, Dan Goodrum. Throw in a customized bag tag, a McGetrick Game Improvement Journal, and a copy of Mike McGetrick’s book, The Scrambler’s Dozen, and you have an amazing golf outing at an unbeatable value.

However, “Colorado’s Best Golf Getaway” may just be the beginning. Cougar Canyon and McGetrick are currently reviewing plans for potential weekend corporate events and a junior academy program. “Hopefully, the getaway weekend package is just the beginning of our partnership with McGetrick,” said Butcher.

For more information, please visit http://www.cougarcanyonliving.com/main/golf/academy or call (877) 547-7455.