EraGen Biosciences Acquired for $34M
Posted September 8th, 2011
EraGen Biosciences, a Gainesville startup biotech company (now located in Madison Wisconsin) that graduated from UF’s Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator program here in the park in 2002 is being purchased by Luminex of Austin Texas for $34 million.
EraGen, makes diagnostic tests and has been involved in developing tests for the herpes simplex virus and other infectious diseases. Luminex is a publicly traded company that makes biological tests used to research new drugs, identify genes and monitor cholesterol levels.
The company was founded in 1999 by former University of Florida chemistry professor Steven A. Benner.
AxoGen to Go Public Through Merger
Posted September 8th, 2011
AxoGen Inc., located in the park, is going public through a merger with Texas-based LecTec Corp. in a stock deal worth at least $12.5 million. The company has three products to repair peripheral nerve damage. AxoGen owners and investors will become the controlling shareholders of LecTec, and the new combined company will take the AxoGen name. AxoGen is a Resident Client company of UF’s Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator program.
Pasteuria Signs Option to Be Acquired by Syngenta
Posted September 8th, 2011
Pasteuria Bioscience, located in the park, has partnered with Syngenta, the largest agri-business company in the world, to develop nematode control products for agricultural and specialty crops. The partnership could lead to an acquisition by Syngenta.
Pasteuria was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in the University of Florida’s Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator. The company has 17 employees and expects to employ 20-25 as a result of the deal. Two Syngenta employees are coming to Alachua from Switzerland. Pasteuria Biosciences is a Resident Client in UF’s Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator program.
Tucker-Davis to Acquire Optima Neuroscience
Posted September 8th, 2011
Medical device companies Optima Neuroscience Inc. and Tucker-Davis Technologies Inc. have entered an agreement for TDT to acquire Optima, a deal expected to help Optima reach a broader market for its seizure detection devices.
Both companies are located in Progress Corporate Park in Alachua.
Optima formed in 2005 to commercialize a seizure detection brain monitor and software from research at the University of Florida McKnight Brain Institute. The company will keep its name, its management personnel and remain in Alachua. TDT formed in 1987 and manufactures equipment with recording systems and analysis software used by researchers to study brain physiology.
8th Celebration of Biotech a Big Success!
Posted June 15th, 2011
BioFlorida’s 8th Annual Celebration of Biotechnology took place in the park on May 26th, 2011 with more than 80 vendor and biotech tables and more than 400 people attending.