Check out what’s happening in Minnesota’s bioscience industry!







The BioBulletin, May 2011
Agriculture/Biomass Cluster*

• Renewable Materials Conference Educates Community on Economic Growth Opportunities

Medical Cluster*

• Medical Device World Forum 2011
  

Infrastructure Projects*

• Informational Session: Saudi Arabia Business Development Initiative - Spring 2011
  
• Minnesota Angel Network on track for full launch in July

*The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota organizes its projects under the following categories: Agriculture/Biomass Cluster, Medical Cluster and Infrastructure Projects. These three categories were adopted during the strategic planning of Destination 2025. The clusters are organized based on the overlap and convergence that is occurring among them. The Agriculture/Biomass Cluster includes the following industries: food, renewable energy and renewable materials. The Medical Cluster includes medical devices, biologics/biopharmaceuticals, animal health and food. Food can be classified under either cluster. The third category of projects is Infrastructure. These projects include all six industries and are foundational to the health and vitality of Minnesota’s life science industry.

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Agriculture/Biomass Cluster

Renewable Materials Conference Educates Community on Economic Growth Opportunities

On Wednesday, April 27th, 120 people convened in Moorhead, Minnesota to learn about opportunities in the renewable materials industry. Speakers from across the region discussed how the industry is being established as a strong economic driver for Minnesota and the Midwest. The attendees included pioneers of the industry, farmers, existing bioprocessing infrastructure, and end product manufacturers that are involved in the development and application of products from emerging biobased plastics and biocomposite materials.

The renewable materials market includes materials that are made from biological sources. These can be biofibers, biopolymers, biodegradable plastics, and bio-packaging. Familiar resources used to make these materials include corn, soybeans and wood fibers.

The focus of the one day seminar was to expand and strengthen the renewable materials industry. Speakers highlighted several opportunities for a variety of industries. Additionally, an emphasis was given to developing clarity around the value proposition for using renewable materials in a variety of markets.

For example, the agriculture equipment industry finds the lightweight properties of biocomposites appealing. The lighter materials can lower the soil compaction and increase yields for the user of the equipment, as highlighted by John Peterson from AGCO Corporation in Jackson, Minnesota.

In building products and health care materials, the elimination of toxic chemicals associated with traditional plastics is driving adoption of alternative materials. PVC is gradually being eliminated in hospitals, and Gary Noble of BioPlastics Solutions in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota has a biobased product to replace PVC without sacrificing performance, and without leaching dangerous chemicals.

In other cases, the drive for brand owners to “green” their image can bring additional bioplastics to the market, as highlighted by NatureWorks LLC in the snack packaging and yogurt containers market.

Minnesota is uniquely positioned to lead this industry’s development across the value chain. The state has the raw materials in agriculture and forestry, and has been a leader in the development of renewable chemistry for the last 20 years. Minnesota can leverage its strengths in existing bioprocessing industries combined with the state's materials science capability to build a self-sustaining industry cluster that will have a positive impact across Minnesota.

Moving forward, The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota and the West Central Minnesota Renewable Materials Coalition will continue to develop end product manufacturing capability across the region. Direct support will be provided to companies in the identification of business partners and other resources that are critical to the development of products using renewable materials. The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota will also continue to work collaboratively with LifeScience Alley to develop education and networking opportunities, which participants identified as a key barrier to the industry's development.

Furthermore, The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota is kicking off a project to identify targeted opportunities for converting the state's natural products to value added renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels. Minnesota has a clear opportunity to be established as a global leader in this industry if we can continue to build positive momentum in the community to move projects forward.

Thank you Premier Sponsors: Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis, Fredrikson & Byron, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and North Dakota Corn Growers Association.

Also, thank you Supporting Sponsors: AgCountry Farm Credit Services, American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, Cleantech Open, Faegre & Benson, Greater Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, GVL Poly, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, MCG Biocomposites, NDSU Bio Energy and Products Innovation Center, Biocomposites International Research Network and Red River Valley Research Corridor

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Medical Cluster

Medical Device World Forum 2011

In late February, The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota and five other Minnesota-based companies traveled to Osaka, Japan to participate in the second annual Medical Device World Forum. The two day event featured speakers from the international medical device community interested in partnering with Japan to expand the country’s medical device cluster.

Dale Wahlstrom, CEO and President of The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota and LifeScience Alley, presented Minnesota’s strengths in the medical device industry and why Japanese companies should partner with Minnesota companies in their efforts to expand into the U.S. marketplace.

“We have the largest medical device cluster in the world,” said Wahlstrom. “With over 600 medical device companies and more than 2000 medical device service providers, Minnesota is a one-stop-shop for medical device companies. International companies can use this to their advantage.”

Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota’s strategic partner, hosted the forum. The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota established a business relationship with OCCI in March, 2010. The goal of the business partnership is to facilitate economic growth of the medical device and the biologics/biopharmaceutical industries in both Minnesota and Japan based on combined strengths in these industries.

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Infrastructure Projects

Informational Session: Saudi Arabia Business Development Initiative-Spring 2011 The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota is planning a business development trip to Saudi Arabia this spring or early summer. Saudi Arabia is actively seeking to build a more diverse, knowledge-based economy. To do this, the Saudi Arabian government is encouraging more private sector involvement and is seeking, both at the government and private-sector level, partnerships with foreign entities and companies.

The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota is looking for Minnesota companies that are:

• Developing technologies of strategic importance to Saudi Arabia in the areas of water supply, food production, renewable energy, and healthcare (diabetes is of special interest).
• Interested in opportunities to form lasting partnerships with Saudi Arabian public/private institutions; including cooperative agreements, export sales, conducting research, and obtaining investment capital.

If you are interested in learning more about the Saudi Arabian Business Development Initiative, please register for the information session on Friday, May 13.

Date: Friday, May 13
Registration: 3:30 p.m.
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota Conference Room 130 (Lobby level)
1550 Utica Avenue South
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Cost: $30 per person

Click here to register.

Meeting Agenda:

• Introduction

Saudi Arabia: background & market sector opportunities

The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota approach & partner organization

• Summary: The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota Pilot Saudi Arabian Business Development Initiative

• Background

Company participant experiences - panel discussion

• Spring/Summer 2011Trip Details

Cost, expectations, & next steps

• Questions

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Minnesota Angel Network on track for full launch in July

In January, Minnesota Angel Network came on the scene as a new funding resource for angel investors, start-up companies and emerging projects. By providing a secure, focused web-based portal, Minnesota Angel Network hopes to increase the number of companies funded and increase the dollar amount of angel investments throughout Minnesota.

Since the announcement, Minnesota Angel Network has been in beta testing with five companies. Todd Leonard, Executive Director, says things are on track for a mid-July launch.

“Our process is in place and companies are testing the system,” said Leonard. “We are well on our way to being fully operational and providing a resource for companies and investors.”

The companies chosen to participate in Minnesota Angel Network’s beta testing program were selected as a sample of existing companies throughout Minnesota. The companies are seeking various levels of investment and include software, animal health, biofuels, home health care, and social media companies.

In addition to testing the process, Minnesota Angel Network has been traveling the state educating the community about the new opportunity. Leonard has presented Minnesota Angel Network and its opportunities at several conferences and meetings over the last four months, including the Renewable Materials Summit on April 27 in Moorhead, Minnesota.

“Educating the community on this opportunity is a key priority,” said Leonard. “From Worthington to Duluth, Moorhead to Austin; we want companies and investors across the state to know about our operation.”

Minnesota Angel Network will announce when the system is operational in the third quarter of this year. For more information about Minnesota Angel Network visit www.mnan.org.

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