Medipacs named best of show at Invest Southwest

[Source: Phoenix Business Journal,Patrick O'Grady ] - Medipacs, a maker of infusion pumps for the medical industry, was named the top presenter at the annual Invest Southwest conference Thursday in Scottsdale.


The Tucson company received a $200,000 prize from SCF Arizona for the presentation and idea judged to be the best of the year’s crop — just a drop in the bucket toward Medipacs’ quest to land $8 million to $10 million.


The conference brought together a dozen companies from throughout the Western U.S. — and for the first time, a company from Mexico. Unima Bioseguridad Integra presented its method for using natural methods to prevent food-borne illnesses. The company already has another technology, Custovac, being distributed by German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim for use in animal vaccinations.


The conference had more attendees this year than last, a feat praised by organizers given the economic climate. Still, it may be a few weeks or months before this year’s attendees find out whether they will garner funding.


Other presenters at the event:
• AmpliMed Corp of Tucson brought in its phased cancer drug approach. The company has gone through three funding rounds and is working on its fourth as it moves to a trial for the drug.
• CaptiveMotion LLC of Tempe brought its computer face modeling technology. The startup by former video-game developer Adam Kraver allows game and film companies an easier way to convert images of the human face for digital uses.
• CellTrust Corp. displayed its technology to encrypt and store secure text and voice messages. The Scottsdale-based company sees a large market for the technology, particularly in medical fields where new federal laws require patient data be kept confidential.
• Consolidated Energy Systems LLC of Salt Lake City brought its technology for taking petroleum-based fuels that ordinarily could not be used and converting them to run large diesel electrical generating plants. To keep the project carbon-neutral, the plan would be to use the carbon dioxide in underground oil recovery.
• Eco Pool Technologies Inc. of Phoenix has begun production of a solar pool cleaner on a limited basis. The company also is developing a new version that would be able to work 24 hours a day, and other products that could lower electric costs for pool owners.
• Grip Audio LLC of Glendale presented a way to use computer software and local-area networks to replicate the cabling necessary for live music and studio productions. The company is looking at the professional audio market and has begun testing with several businesses and groups.
• Targeting the home video market, iMemories LLC of Scottsdale has developed a way to transfer VHS tapes to digital format and gives users the option of storing them online.
• MedTrust Online LLC, a spinoff of the Translational Genomics Research Institute, is an online resource for oncologists looking for up-to-date information in the fight against cancer. The database will provide physicians with data to help them better and more accurately treat their patients.
• NanoMR of Albuquerque, N.M., offered a patented medical diagnostic tool that could examine blood cultures in minutes, targeting detection of blood-borne bacteria.
• Protein Genomics Inc. of Sedona made its pitch for Tropoelastin, a device that can help in healing and preventing scarring.