BD reboots startup program; NePhroGenex clinical trial; Red Hat Summit; OxyBio update; LabCorp board shuffle

In the latest Bulldog roundup of life science and technology news: BD Technologies re-launches incubator program; NePhroGenex reports a loss for 2013 but secures partners for big clinical trial; Red Hat adds IBM exec to Summit lineup; OxyBio can resume testing; and LabCorp shuffles board.

BD Re-Launches Startup Program

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – Jim Shamp of the NC Biotechnology Center reports on changes in BD Technologies’ startup program:

“BD Technologies, the corporate technology R&D center for BD, is re-launching its incubation program to support global innovation specifically in the fields of information-enabled medical devices, big-data analytics, parenteral delivery, microfluidics, next-generation sequencing, and maternal and neonatal health in the developing world. BD Technologies first established its BioVenture Center incubator at its Research Triangle Park campus in 1998, attracting 16 local start-ups, followed by a site in Singapore.

“The current plan is to assist start-up ventures across the globe with BD mentors and resources. Investors, entrepreneurs and technology transfer offices considering start-ups in the targeted fields, and who could benefit from BD mentorship during company formation, may contact Albert Lauritano, director of technology licensing & collaboration, at (919) 597-6183 or al_lauritano@bd.com.”

NePhroGenex Secures Drug Trial Services

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – NephroGenex, which went public in February for $37 million, has secured deals with two research firms to conduct the Phase 3 clinical trials for its proposed diabetic nephropathy treatment.

The company on Monday reported a $6.3 million loss for 2013 on Monday, up from $2.9 million in 2012.

NephroGenex plans to launch two Phase 3 trials in the first half of this year for its lead drug candidate Pyridorin. It will work with Collaborative Study Group and Medpace. Both firms worked with NephroGenex on earlier trials.

IBM Exec to Address Red Hat Summit

RALEIGH – Deepak Advani, general manager of Cloud and Smarter Infrastructure at IBM, will be among the keynote speakers at the annual Red Hat Summit.

The conference is set for April 14-17 in San Francisco.

“Currently, Advani oversees the overall vision and direction of IBM’s Cloud and Smarter Infrastructure division, known for the software and technology which founded and are at the core of IBM’s Smarter Planet Initiative,” Red Hat notes. “As the business’ leader, Advani focuses on both the expansion of the business and its technological advancement, continuously seeking new ways to use innovations in analytics, mobile, cloud and cognitive computing to build more sustainable and intelligent buildings, enterprises, cities and organizations. Prior to his current role, Advani owned the strategy and product development mission for IBM’s business analytics portfolio and had P&L responsibility for the Business Intelligence and Predictive Analytics segment. Advani also was the first Vice President of Linux Strategy at IBM.”

Oxygen Biotherapeutics’ Hold Lifted by FDA

MORRISVILLE – A hold by the FDA on development of Oxygen Biotherapeutics’ Oxycyte program has been lifted, the company said Monday.

“In its letter to the company, the FDA reiterated what was communicated in an earlier phone conversation. They have completed their review of the September 12, 2013, submission to the investigational new drug application (IND) for Perfluorocarbon (PFC) Oxygen Carrier, Intravenous (Oxycyte). The company has satisfactorily addressed all clinical hold issues identified by the FDA and the hold has been lifted,” OxyBio said in a statement.