In today’s wrapup of Triangle related tech and life science news:

  • Duke Energy and Duke University are collaborating on a $55 million energy project
  • Cree settles a patent suit
  • LabCorp launches a new blood test targeting colon cancer
  • Cree names former Advanced Auto Parts CEO to board

The announcements:

  • Duke Energy, Duke University partner

CHARLOTTE – Duke Energy and Duke University today announced a partnership that will lead to cleaner and more efficient power for the university and the surrounding community.

Under a proposed 35-year agreement and subject to approval by the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC), Duke Energy Carolinas proposes to own, build and operate a 21-megawatt (MW) natural gas combined heat and power (CHP) facility on the Duke University campus in Durham.

If approved, the plant would use the waste heat from generating electricity to produce thermal energy and steam needed for the university, making it one of the most efficient generating assets in the Duke Energy generation fleet. The electric power would be put back on the Duke Energy electric grid to serve the university and nearby customers.

“This project will provide a cleaner and more diverse energy mix for the community and provide the value of thermal energy for the university,” said David Fountain, Duke Energy North Carolina president. “The innovative approach provides multiple benefits to a large customer like Duke University and is a cost-effective generation asset for Duke Energy and our customers in North Carolina.”

In addition to 21 megawatts of power, the facility would be capable of producing roughly 75,000 pounds per hour of steam, which would be sold to Duke University for heating water among other things. The CHP facility would be connected to an existing Duke Energy substation located on the campus, which serves the university and its medical center as well as other customers.

“This partnership will provide value for Duke University and will accelerate our progress towards climate neutrality,” said Duke University’s executive vice president Tallman Trask III. “By combining steam and electricity generation systems, we can increase efficiency and reduce our overall consumption by millions of units of energy each year, and have a positive effect on the community at large.”

By displacing the current electricity mix and boilers currently serving the university, the project would lower energy-related carbon dioxide emissions at Duke University by about 25 percent. In the future, the project could also be used to isolate the critical loads on the campus, providing a method to increase reliability to hospitals and clinics as additional grid back up.

Duke Energy Carolinas will file with the NCUC for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the project. If approved, the project – around $55 million – is expected to come online in 2018.

Source: Duke Energy

  • Cree settles patent dispute

DURHAM – Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE), a leader in LED lighting, announced today that it has reached a confidential settlement in its patent infringement lawsuit with Kingbright, Inc. Kingbright and Cree have agreed to a royalty bearing, worldwide license to the Cree patents-in-suit, thereby ending the lawsuit between the parties.

“Cree is committed to protecting the investment of our current licensees, shareholders and customers by defending our rights in court when necessary and by licensing our patents when appropriate”

Cree has developed a broad LED patent portfolio after many years of intensive R&D, with numerous patent applications pending. Major LED manufacturers make use of Cree’s patented technology and have signed license agreements with Cree to secure these rights.

Where the license has been publicly announced, Cree licensees are listed onhttp://www.cree.com/About-Cree/Licensing/Licensees.

Source: Cree

  • LabCorp launches colon cancer blood test

BURLINGTON – Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp®) (NYSE: LH) today announced the launch of Epi proColon®, a blood-based test for colorectal cancer screening that was approved on April 13, 2016 for clinical use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Epi proColon® is the first FDA-approved DNA based blood test for colorectal cancer. The test was developed by Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX, OTCQX: EPGNY) and is available under a joint commercialization agreement with Polymedco, Inc. in North America. LabCorp, the world’s leading healthcare diagnostics company, is the first laboratory in the U.S. to offer this FDA-approved, blood-based colorectal cancer screening test.

“Colorectal cancer is one of the most curable diseases when detected in its early stages and treated surgically,” said Dr. Mark Brecher, chief medical officer for LabCorp Diagnostics. “Many people are not properly screened because they are reluctant to collect a stool sample or undergo a colonoscopy. Tested from a simple blood draw, Epi proColon® is a convenient, accurate alternative for those patients who should be screened for colorectal cancer. LabCorp is committed to delivering world-class diagnostics, and Epi proColon® will contribute to our mission to improve health and improve lives.”
The Epi proColon® test detects Epigenomics proprietary Septin9 DNA methylation biomarker for colorectal cancer in cell-free DNA circulating in blood, which has been demonstrated in multiple clinical studies to be a reliable indicator of the presence of colorectal cancer. The test is available immediately from LabCorp. Epi proColon® is an important addition to LabCorp’s leading menu of integrated testing that includes comprehensive colorectal cancer offerings.

According to the American Cancer Society, there are projected to be over 134,000 new diagnoses of colorectal cancer, and almost 50,000 deaths from colorectal cancer in the U.S. in 2016. Approximately 23 million people in the U.S. are identified as at-risk for colorectal cancer or meet guidelines to be screened for this cancer remain unscreened. Currently, approved screening options including stool testing and colonoscopy are often viewed as inconvenient, uncomfortable or unpleasant, and about 35% of eligible U.S. patients refuse to undergo them. For these people and their physicians, a convenient blood test that only requires a blood draw provides a powerful screening option designed to improve participation in screening and can support earlier cancer detection, resulting in improved outcomes. For patients who may be reluctant to complete stool testing or colonoscopy, Epi proColon® provides an alternative that can change the way care is provided and may encourage more patients to obtain recommended screenings.

Source: LabCorp

  • Cree names former Advance Auto Parts CEO to board

DURHAM – Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) announces that Darren Jackson, most recently the Chief Executive Officer of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (AAP), a position he held from January 2008 to January 2016, has been appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors, effective May 3, 2016.

“Darren is a great addition to our Board of Directors,” said Chuck Swoboda, Cree chairman and CEO. “He has a proven track record leading large companies through industry transitions and we welcome the opportunity to work with Darren as we pursue our mission to build the most valuable lighting technology company.”

Mr. Jackson originally joined AAP as a member of the AAP Board in July 2004. Mr. Jackson also served as AAP President from January 2008 to January 2009 and from January 2012 to April 2013. Prior to becoming AAP’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jackson served in various executive positions with Best Buy Co., Inc., a specialty retailer of consumer electronics, office products, appliances and software, ultimately serving from July 2007 to December 2007 as Executive Vice President of Customer Operating Groups. Mr. Jackson joined Best Buy in 2000 and was appointed as its Executive Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer in February of 2001. Prior to 2000, he served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Nordstrom, Inc., Full-line Stores, a fashion specialty retailer, and held various senior positions, including Chief Financial Officer of Carson Pirie Scott & Company, a regional department store company. Mr. Jackson has also served as a director of Fastenal Company, which sells industrial and construction supplies, since July 2012.

Source: Cree