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New Biotech Company Inimmune Formed at University of Montana’s MonTEC Business Incubator

Officials from a new biotech company, Inimmune Corporation http://inimmune.com/ , met with Gov. Steve Bullock today to discuss how the University of Montana connects researchers and entrepreneurs and the potential impacts for the state’s economy. The meeting was held at the Montana Technology Enterprise Center http://www.montanaenterprisecenter.com/ (MonTEC), UM’s business and technology incubator.

"Universities play a key role to play in the development of new technology and bringing it to the marketplace," said Scott Whittenburg, vice president for research and creative scholarship at UM, which is positioned to surpass last year’s unprecedented record of $87 million in external research funding.

The Inimmune biotech firm emerged from a unique partnership with UM. In February 2015, GSK http://www.gsk.com/ Vaccines announced consolidation of its research and development operations, resulting in the closure of its research operations in Hamilton later that year. Having worked together for more than 15 years and not wanting to leave Montana, the research team needed to find the necessary laboratory space and infrastructure capable of supporting a large multidisciplinary research program.

Enter UM. Seeing the potential connections between the University’s research mission and its available resources for technology transfer and entrepreneurship, officials began exploring possibilities with the research team. The team forged a strong public/private partnership, resulting in the transfer of over $20 million in National Institutes of Health research contracts and equipment to UM.

"Inimmune is uniquely positioned to expand into a growing immunotherapy sector by harnessing the immune system to treat diseases with a high unmet medical need" said Jay Evans, president and CEO of Inimmune. The company is focused on the discovery and development of new therapeutics for treatment of allergy, autoimmunity, upper respiratory tract infections and cancer.

Earlier this year, 15 of the employees from the GSK-Hamilton research team were hired at UM, including five new faculty members. Between Inimmune and the University, the team has expanded to 22 employees and will grow to 25 by the end of the year.

There are many benefits to come from this new partnership. Among them, UM has proposed a new Center for Translational Medicine, with this highly experienced team of researchers at the core, which will assist UM faculty in translating research ideas from the laboratory to practical applications. Evans will direct the new center and seek to expand opportunities for biotechnology partnerships at UM and prepare students for careers in the biotech industry. Evans said this collaboration was what sparked the creation of Inimmune.

After meeting with officials, the governor toured the Inimmune laboratories and discussed plans for creating additional research facilities on the UM campus.

"As Montana’s economy grows and diversifies, getting research breakthroughs to market quickly propels new innovations, new businesses and more technical, high-paying jobs for Montana," Bullock said.

Contact: Scott Whittenburg, UM vice president for research and creative scholarship, 406-243-6670, [email protected]

Jay Evans, Inimmune Corp. president and chief executive officer, 406-201-1940, [email protected].

This release is online at: http://bit.ly/2fsxCI3.

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In search of a cure: Upstart Missoula biotech company Inimmune on the cutting edge of science http://www.matr.net/article-73150.html

How a Decision by a Major Company is Going to Have a Very Positive Impact on Missoula, Montana’s Economy http://www.matr.net/article-72793.html

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New biotech company forms at University of Montana business incubator

Two dozen good-paying scientific research jobs almost left western Montana for Maryland last year – but they ended up here in Missoula thanks to an innovative partnership with the University of Montana.

GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, a giant pharmaceutical company with an office in Hamilton, announced in February 2015 that it was consolidating its research and development operations to Maryland.

DAVID ERICKSON [email protected]

http://missoulian.com/news/local/new-biotech-company-forms-at-university-of-montana-business-incubator/article_70259a1f-f919-50f8-957f-3b0ba2c5c1ee.html

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Missoula biotech firm meets with governor, university officials in research gathering

Leaders of an upstart biotech company in Missoula met Tuesday with Gov. Steve Bullock to discuss how the University of Montana connects researchers and entrepreneurs, and the potential impacts to the state’s economy.

Inimmune, which conducts research at both the Montana Technology Enterprise Center and the UM campus, has emerged as one of several promising new biotech firms based in Missoula, each looking to make global impact.

Martin Kidston

Full Story: http://www.missoulacurrent.com/business/2016/11/inimmune-biotech-um/

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