BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL - BY Scott Dance STAFF

The state has awarded $1.3 million in new grants to help biotechnology research translate into new businesses. And it’s offering more money for the same purpose.

Seven biotech companies and university teams [2 BioPark companies among them]received awards in fiscal year 2010, which ended June 30. The deadline for fiscal 2011 applications is Sept. 15.

The grants are intended to help develop the state’s biotech industry, encouraging universities and companies to collaborate and turn research into viable products for sale.

Recipients of the grants include:

• College Park-based Zymetis, which got $200,000 to develop technology converting whey into fuel;
• Baltimore-based Fyodor [BioPark company], which received $200,000 for commercializing a urine malaria test;
• Silver Spring-based InfraTrac, which received $100,000 to grow a product that tests for counterfeit drugs;
• Baltimore-based Gliknik [BioPark company], which received $200,000 for developing a drug that aids in organ transplant; and,
• Dr. James S. Gammie of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, who received $200,000 to develop surgical tools used in repairing a heart valve through a minimally invasive procedure.

The Maryland Biotechnology Center is now accepting grants for the next round of awards through two programs, the Biotechnology Commercialization Awards and Translational Research Awards.

To apply, visit www.marylandbiocenter.org.

Other grants were also awarded to two university programs that provide services to bio companies. The Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute, or MTECH, received $200,000 to open a new facility at Shady Grove in Rockville. And the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, chemistry and biochemistry department received $200,000 for purchase of a new piece of equipment, a mass spectrometer.