Business Description:

Integrated BioTherapeutics Inc. develops vaccines and therapeutics for Staphylococcus aureus and filoviruses such as Ebola. The company’s vaccines target a wide range of Staphylococcal exotoxins, major virulence factors of S. aureus pathogenicity.

Challenge:

Staphylococcus aureus is a well-recognized cause of invasive disease and sepsis. Mortality rates related to sepsis are high, despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. Why some patients with S. aureus bacteremia develop sepsis and others do not is largely unknown. Might low levels of antibodies to S. aureus exotoxins show an association with sepsis risk among adults with bloodstream infection? And if so, might that lead to a vaccine for treating that sepsis?

MIPS Role:

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a bacteria that causes both community- and hospital-acquired infections. These infections are now more difficult to treat due to development of methicillin resistance. Consequently, the number of infections due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has increased. SA most commonly causes skin and soft tissue infections with a range of severity, from uncomplicated boils to life-threatening surgical site infections. SA infections are often complicated by bacteremia, the spread of the bacteria into the bloodstream. SA bacteremia can lead to sepsis, a systemic response to the infections that leads to multi-organ failure and often death. Efforts to develop a vaccine to prevent SA infections have been unsuccessful. However, no one has explored whether a vaccine against SA could reduce the severity of an SA infection. SA produces a number of exotoxins that increase the severity of infection. The primary purpose of IBT’s MIPS project was to determine the feasibility of developing a toxin-based vaccine by assessing whether pre-existing antibodies to SA toxins are associated with a lower risk of sepsis in adults with a SA infection complicated by bacteremia. Researchers also assessed whether adults with persistent SA colonization have higher antibody levels.

Results:

In this trial, it was found that SA sepsis patients did have significantly lower antibodies to SA toxins than SA patients without sepsis. This finding may lead to a vaccine treatment for SA sepsis and has enabled Integrated BioTherapuetics to create nine new jobs.

Project Manager:   M. J. Aman;  Principal Investigator:  Mary-Claire Roghmann, UMB

Location:  Germantown, Maryland – Montgomery County;  Project Start Date:  8/1/2010

Business Description:

InstantLabs is a molecular diagnostic device company and the developer of portable, quantitative, real-time PCR (qPCR) systems. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a technology used for amplifying DNA sequences.

InstantLabs is focused on medical diagnostic and food safety applications for its proprietary technologies. InstantLabs currently markets its Hunter Accelerated-PCR® platform with disposable Multiple Assay Cartridges (MACs), bringing simplicity and power to complex diagnostic testing without dependency on central laboratories or acute care facilities for sample analysis. The compact, affordable and fully-integrated Hunter system is especially suited for use at points-of-care and points-of-need to detect and analyze a wide variety of common and problematic pathogens. InstantLabs is positioned to broaden the addressable market for RT-PCR in areas where gold-standard accuracy combined with ease-of-use and rapid time to results can make a consequential improvement in operational efficiency as well as health outcomes.

Challenge:

Decision-making for patients with a Staph infection used to be easy.  Simple, inexpensive antibiotics cured all but the worst cases.  However, in the early 1960s, a new rare pathogen appeared, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), which now represents more than 35 percent of hospital Staph isolates. MRSA is resistant to common antibiotics, and often results in serious illness and even death. It is an ever-increasing cause of community- and hospital-acquired infections worldwide.

The rapid diagnosis of MRSA is critical to both patient treatment and efficient hospital operations.

InstantLabs is seeking to develop a rapid method to detect Methicillin-resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA) on the Hunter® Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) platform. This will allow the accurate and quick diagnosis of an increasingly important multi-drug resistant pathogen.

MIPS Role:

Dr. Jennifer Kristie Johnson will design and test the PCR assays to detect MRSA.

Interesting Fact:

InstantLabs’ instrument, the Hunter, is not confined to human diagnostics. It is also used in food safety, and the company is working on animal health test kits along with an industrial application.

MIPS-Related Quote:

“The quality of the researchers and the support from MIPS will allow us to enter the market sooner.”

– Steven Guterman, Chief Executive Officer, InstantLabs

Project Manager:  Neil Sharma, Steven Guterman;  Principal Investigator:  Dr. Jennifer Kristie Johnson, UMB
Location:  Baltimore, Maryland – Baltimore City;  Project Start Date: 8/1/2012

Business Description:

Gaithersburg, Md.-based I.T. Curves develops turnkey, end-to-end system solutions, including multiple applications of 3G and 4G smart devices, GPS and navigation software, location-based services, sophisticated, state-of-the-art control and optimization algorithms for assigning best-fit tasks to a mobile resource, and efficient ride-sharing algorithms for improving the management processes and efficiency of public transportation and related government programs.

Challenge:

I.T. Curves sought to develop a state-of-the-art optimization system for managing paratransit and other for-hire transportation business involving shared ride transportation operations, reducing costs and improving performance.

MIPS Role:

The objective of the MIPS project was to develop state-of-the-art intelligent optimization algorithms to embed in a commercially successful decision management tool and software system, called the Mobile Resources Management System (MRMS). MRMS is currently under development. The combined algorithm and software system will enable paratransit and other transportation operators to efficiently manage their resources while satisfying various service quality expectations and other practical considerations. The new algorithms will improve the efficiency of matching passengers to vehicles and other passengers, routing, and scheduling of trips by incorporating the latest ideas from the research literature on ride-sharing systems, including work recently accomplished by researchers at the University of Maryland. In particular, the new algorithms will efficiently deal with new requests that arrive at any time, as well as those made well in advance. Practical factors, such as desired “time windows,” trip urgencies, priority fares, and uncertain travel times will also be handled.

Results:

The new algorithms have been embedded into I.T. Curves’ products, which are used by a number of operators around the U.S. Based on these sales, the company has been able to retain a workforce of 8 full-time employees.

Project Manager:  David Mohebbi

Principal Investigator:  Dr. Elise Miller-Hooks, UMD

Location:  Gaithersburg, Maryland – Montgomery County

Project Start Date:  8/1/2011

Business Description:

iBiquity Digital is the developer and licenser of HD Radio™ technology, which is transforming AM and FM broadcasting with a vastly increased number of channels, dramatically improved sound quality, and an array of new data services. iBiquity is actively engaged with broadcasters, as well as receiver, component and broadcast equipment manufacturers, automotive manufacturers and retailers in the United States and around the world, to ensure the swift and successful adoption of HD Radio technology.

Challenge:

iBiquity sought to obtain FCC clearance for the use of higher broadcast power levels for the digital carriers in the FM HD Radio system.

MIPS Role:

Salisbury researchers examined higher power levels for the digital carriers in the FM HD Radio system. The MIPS project focused on the feasibility of increasing power levels and the potential impact of that increase on adjacent analog channels. Increased digital power levels allow broadcasters to increase the coverage of their digital signals and to enhance the signal penetration of buildings. The project also involved the collection of audio samples of analog radio programming from several existing radio stations. Analog broadcasts were examined with the digital power of adjacent channel stations set to existing authorized levels and proposed higher levels. A subjective evaluation of the audio samples was conducted using listeners to determine if they perceive a diminution in audio quality.

Results:

There was no appreciable decrease in audio quality from the increase in digital power levels. This finding allowed the broadcast industry to become comfortable with the benefits of increasing digital power levels for the HD Radio system and allowed the industry to seek FCC authorization for an overall increase in digital power levels. Various broadcasters supported iBiquity’s request to allow broadcasters to increase the power level of their digital radio broadcasts. On January 29, 2010, the FCC issued an order authorizing FM radio stations to increase their digital power levels based on the test results conducted pursuant to the MIPS grant. iBiquity also distributed results to regulators in other countries considering HD Radio adoption and to the International Telecommunication Union. The information about high-power FM broadcasts helped to encourage the Mexican government to adopt HD Radio technology as the digital radio standard in Mexico.  The FCC authorization of increased power resulted in several dozen stations around the country increasing the power levels of their digital broadcasts and improving the quality of their digital signals.

MIPS-Related Quote:

“This project has helped to strengthen the value of our digital radio product, which in turn supports [the] continued employment of 43 people in our Columbia, Maryland office.”

– Albert Shuldiner, Senior VP & General Counsel, iBiquity Digital Corporation

Project Manager:  Albert Shuldiner;  Principal Investigator:  Ellyn Sheffield, Salisbury University
Location:  Columbia, Maryland – Howard County;  Project Start Date:  2/1/2007

Business Description:

Maryland-based HY-TEK Bio is an early stage company developing a patent-pending system to remove carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases from smoke stack flue gas.

HY-TEK Bio’s system scrubs the gas by funneling it into a sealed bioreactor that contains algae, wastewater, nutrient and LED lights. The algae feeds on pollutants in the wastewater and flue gas, yielding cleaner water and cleaner emissions. The process produces high-lipid-oil algae, a key ingredient in bio-plastics and biofuels, some skin care products, nutritional supplements, cosmetic and paint thickeners, and additives for both human and animal food products.

Feng Chen, Associate Professor, UMCES

Challenge:

During phase one of HY-TEK Bio’s MIPS/DNR-funded project, UMCES researchers  combed hundreds of thousands of strains of known algae to select the one that would perform the best with HY-TEK Bio’s patented technology. The goal was to find one that could survive in an environment with 20 to 40 percent CO₂ and respond to certain light wavelengths to promote faster growth. Ideally, the algae would also have a high lipid content for later use in the products mentioned above.

During phase two of the project, researchers fine-tuned the algae to perform at an industrial scale in HY-TEK Bio’s system.

Pictured: The newly isolated strain of algae from the Chesapeake Bay’s Back River tributary, named HTB-1, for HY-TEK Bio 1.

MIPS Role:

UMCES researchers isolated a new strain of algae from the Chesapeake Bay’s Back River tributary that grows fast, contains a 42-47 percent lipid content and survives in environments with as much as 100 percent CO₂. The newly isolated strain was named HTB-1, for HY-TEK Bio 1.

During phase two, researchers optimized components of the flue gas-scrubbing system, including lighting, frequency, wavelength, duty cycling, bubble size absorption rates and various sources of nutrients.

Results:

The City of Baltimore granted HY-TEK Bio $255,000 to conduct a demonstration of their technology at Baltimore City’s Back River Waste Water Treatment Plant. The project has already demonstrated that the technology works, using just 10-foot tanks and providing an 85-90 percent mitigation of harmful gases from the methane-fired power plant. Baltimore City receives 50 percent of the algae produced.

Pictured, from left to right: Feng Chen, Associate Professor, UMCES; Bob Mroz, President and CEO, HY-TEK Bio; Jack French, Vice President, HY-TEK Bio.

MIPS-Related Quotes:

“As a result of the MIPS grant, we have been able to garner the support of Baltimore City for this project, which was precisely the support we needed to move towards commercialization. MIPS has been the key to moving our technology out of the lab and into the marketplace.”

– Bob Mroz, President and CEO, HY-TEK Bio

“We are moving to an entirely new concept in closed bioreactor design using our patent-pending mylar tank structure. This concept will revolutionize closed bioreactors. Our new ½ scale (4’x20’) mylar bioreactor tank holds nine tons of water (or algae). HY-TEK Bio is a classic example of the Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program making a difference in helping a small company bring big ideas to market.”

— Bob Mroz, President and CEO, HY-TEK Bio

Interesting Fact:
HY-TEK Bio has received what it cites as “off-the-scale” support from local companies in its preferred corporate sponsor program. More than 20 local companies have provided HY-TEK Bio with hardware or services, at no expense.

Project Manager:  Robert M. Mroz;  Principal Investigator:  Feng Chen, UMCES
Location:  Dayton, Maryland – Howard County;  Project Start Date:  2/1/2012

Business Description:

Hoopers Island Oyster Aquaculture Company was created to produce and market high-quality, half-shell oysters and the equipment needed to support the aquaculture industry in Dorchester County and the State of Maryland.

The company has successfully built equipment and designed a system that will easily transition the traditional methods of Maryland watermen into a cutting-edge industry. This industry will be one of the first steps forward in meeting society’s demands for sustainability and transparency in seafood production.

Challenge:

Hoopers sought to develop a wet storage system for oysters to achieve salinity consistency and remove coliform bacteria. The challenge is to simulate and control the salinity of Chesapeake oysters for the half-shell market. This has long been done by watermen by transporting mid-Bay oysters to the much saltier waters of the barrier island bays below Ocean City and Assateague Island. After living in these waters for a few days, the oysters are significantly saltier and preferred by the restaurant market. The MIPS project for a land-based wet storage and salinity system will make this practice obsolete and provide far more control over the oyster taste.

MIPS Role:

While this project is in progress, UMD researchers are currently working with Hoopers to develop a wet storage system.

Interesting Fact:

Hoopers Island is in the heart of Chesapeake seafood country and is still home to the first Phillips Seafood processing plant, which was the beginning of the famous Phillips Crab House and seafood empire in Maryland. Steve Phillips, President and CEO of Phillips Seafood, has personally endorsed Hoopers Island Oyster Aquaculture Co. and has committed to being one of the first customers for this new process.

MIPS-Related Quote:

“The opportunity provided by MIPS will fast-forward our business by advancing our oyster aquaculture technology. The after effects of this research made possible by MIPS will be an asset in the Chesapeake Bay for years to come.”

– Ricky Fitzhugh, President, Hoopers

Project Manager:  Johnny Shockley;  Principal Investigator:  David Tilley, UMD
Location:  Fishing Creek, Maryland – Dorchester County;  Project Start Date:  8/1/2012

Business Description

A leading green technology company headquartered in Columbia, Md., GreenSpacers offers expert advice, interior design, plant leasing, plant sales and professional care for soil-free indoor plants known as hydroculture. Hydroculture is a method of rooting plants in water, anchored in a clay aggregate, eliminating soil all together.

The company has received numerous recognitions, including being one of Baltimore’s 15 hottest technology companies in 2010 by the GBTC and one of the Top Green Entrepreneurs of the Year in 2011 by the Baltimore Business Journal.  The hydroculture method virtually erases the uncertainty that often accompanies soil-based plants. Hydroculture plants require minimal care, live longer, and have healthier lives.

Challenge

The goal of GreenSpacers’ MIPS project was to test the hydroculture indoor growing method, to prove that not only do these plants remove targeted volatile organic compounds, but that they also do not harbor soil-borne molds, mildews, or other allergens that have previously prevented the placement of live plants in hospitals and clinics.

MIPS Role

While the project is still ongoing, preliminary tests have shown that GreenSpacers’ plants grow free of soil-borne, molds, mildews, and other allergens.

Results

The products’ appeal is far reaching.  GreenSpacers’ plants can be found in nearly 100 commercial locations.  Clients now include hospitals, medical offices, commercial buildings, and local businesses that are motivated to provide clean indoor air for employees, customers and guests.

MIPS-Related Quote

“Among the advances we have made through MIPS is the construction of a hydroponic conversion chamber, a room with extra-high humidity and heated floors, with lighting that’s been placed in such a manner to grow low, medium or high-light plants. It is the only chamber of its kind in the U.S.”

– Noah Berk, Founder and CEO, GreenSpacers

Interesting Fact

Berk, an economics graduate from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, wants everyone to be able to enjoy clean indoor plants, even if they don’t have a green thumb. He has been working with plants since he was a toddler, starting with his father’s landscaping company. In addition to the MIPS grant, the company has thrived on sales.

Project Manager:  Noah Berk;  Principal Investigator:  Thomas Handwerker, UMES
Location:  Columbia, Maryland – Howard County;  Project Start Date:  8/1/2011