Contour Energy Systems (Caltech) Launches Next-Generation Coin Cell Product Line Debuting at Consumer Electronics Show (01/04/2011)

Contour Energy Systems is a next-generation battery company founded out of a collaboration of Caltech and CNRS, the French National Center of Scientific Research.

From the company’s press release:
Contour Energy Systems, Inc. an innovative portable power company commercializing next-generation battery systems, today announced the launch of its next-generation coin cell product family with the introduction of the four top selling lithium coin cell sizes (2032, 2025, 2016 & 2450) featuring the company’s patented Fluorinetic™ technology. Contour’s new lithium coin cells, which deliver significantly longer battery life and superior gravimetric and volumetric energy density compared to legacy primary lithium and rechargeable lithium ion batteries, are targeting a wide range of existing and emerging portable electronics and drug delivery systems. The new products will make their debut at the Consumer Electronics Show January 6-9, in Las Vegas at Contour Energy’s Booth 15343 in the Central Hall. read full press release

Impinj (Caltech) RFID Techology Helps Jewelry Chain Improve Inventory Accuracy (12/21/2010)

Impinj is a Caltech spinoff that develops UHF Gen 2 RFID solutions. The company was co-founded by Professor Carver Mead of Caltech and Dr. Chris Diorio of University of Washington.

From the company’s press release:
Leading UHF Gen 2 radio frequency identification (RFID) technology provider Impinj, Inc. today announced that French jeweler CLEOR has implemented a chain-wide “Powered by Impinj” RFID solution that significantly improved inventory accuracy and supply chain efficiency throughout all of its 50 stores, which process nearly one million pieces of jewelry annually. Since implementing RFID, the company has benefitted from reduced out-of-stocks, decreased stock levels, lower operating costs and measurably increased sales volume. read full press release

Impinj (Caltech) Speedway Revolution Reader Now Available in Fast-Growing Chinese RFID Market (12/15/2010)

Impinj is a Caltech spinoff that develops UHF Gen 2 RFID solutions. The company was co-founded by Professor Carver Mead of Caltech and Dr. Chris Diorio of University of Washington.

From the company’s press release:
Leading UHF Gen 2 radio frequency identification (RFID) technology provider Impinj, Inc. today announced the availability of the industry-leading Speedway Revolution reader in the fast-growing Chinese RFID market. Available through Impinj certified distributors and partners in China; the Speedway Revolution reader sets the industry standard for reader performance, ease of use, reliability, and cost of ownership. read full press release

Fulcrum Microsystems (Caltech) Recognized for Outstanding Revenue Growth by Global Semiconductor Alliance (12/9/2010)

Fulcrum Microsystems is a leading provider of high-performance Ethernet switching silicon. The company was founded in 2000 based on research conducted by co-founders Uri Cummings and Andrew Lines when they were graduate students at Caltech.

From the company’s press release:
Fulcrum Microsystems today announced it has won the Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) 2010 award for Outstanding Revenue Growth by a Private Semiconductor Company. The GSA, which plays a vital role in the emergence and worldwide adoption of the fabless business model, recognizes companies that have demonstrated excellence through their vision, strategy, execution and future opportunity. read full press release

Nanosys (Caltech, Columbia) Partners with SEMATECH to Develop Flash Memory Technologies (12/7/2010)

Nanosys, Inc. , delivers process-ready materials for electronics device manufacturers and lithium ion battery makers. the company’s scientific co-founders include: UC Berkeley professor Dr. Paul Alivisatos, MIT professor Dr. Moungi Bawendi, Caltech professor Dr. James Heath, and UC Berkeley professor Dr. Peidong Yang.

From the company’s press release:
SEMATECH today announced that Nanosys, Inc., an advanced materials architect, has joined its Front End Processes (FEP) program, and will work with SEMATECH to develop new materials and processing techniques for extending flash memory technologies. read full press release

Fluidigm (Caltech) Files S-1 Registration Statement for Initial Public Offering (12/3/2010)

Fluidigm was founded in 1999 to commercialize IFC technology developed by Dr. Stephen Quake when he was at Caltech.

From the company’s press release:
Fluidigm Corporation announced today that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of Fluidigm’s common stock. Fluidigm develops, manufactures and markets microfluidic systems for growth markets in the life science and agricultural biotechnology, or Ag-Bio, industries. The shares in the offering will be offered by Fluidigm. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering have not yet been determined. read full press release

Xencor (Caltech) and MorphoSys Initiate Phase 1 Study of Anti-CD19 Antibody in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (12/2/2010)

Xencor was founded in 1997 to commercially leverage work performed at Caltech by Dr. Bassil Dahiyat and Dr. Stephen Mayo in the area of proteins and Protein Design Automation.

From the company’s press release:
Xencor, Inc. and MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment; TecDAX) announced today that they have initiated Phase 1 testing for XmAb®5574 (MOR208), and the first patient has been dosed. XmAb5574 (MOR208) is a potent monoclonal anti-CD19 antibody to which MorphoSys recently gained worldwide access via an exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Xencor. The trial is designed to assess the drug’s safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic profile and preliminary anti-tumor activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients. The open-label, multi-dose, single-arm, dose-escalation study is estimated to enroll 30 patients suffering from relapsed or refractory CLL. More information on the trial can be found by searching for XmAb5574 at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. read full press release

Impinj (Caltech, Washington) to Showcase Industry Leading RFID Products at RFID USN Korea 2010 (12/1/2010)

Impinj is a Caltech spinoff that develops UHF Gen 2 RFID solutions. The company was co-founded by Professor Carver Mead of Caltech and Dr. Chris Diorio of University of Washington.

From the company’s press release:
Leading UHF Gen 2 radio frequency identification (RFID) technology provider Impinj, Inc. today announced the availability of the Speedway Revolution reader and Indy R500 reader chip to the fast-growing Korean RFID market. The industry-leading products will be showcased in the Impinj booth at the upcoming RFID USN Korea International Exhibition & Conference in Seoul, Korea on December 2-4, 2010. read full press release

Gilat Completes Acquisition of Wavestream Corporation (Caltech) (11/29/2010)

Wavestream Wireless is a Caltech spinoff that designs and manufactures next generation high power solid state amplifiers.

From the company’s press release:
Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq: GILT), a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services, has completed its previously announced acquisition of Wavestream Corporation. Wavestream, a leading provider of high power solid state amplifiers, was acquired for approximately $130M and an earn-out over the next 12 months of up to $6.8M. read full press release

Sigma-Aldrich and Nanosys (Caltech, Columbia) Enter into Distribution Agreement to Supply Materials to the Research Community (11/29/2010)

Nanosys, Inc., delivers process-ready materials for electronics device manufacturers and lithium ion battery makers. the company’s scientific co-founders include: UC Berkeley professor Dr. Paul Alivisatos, MIT professor Dr. Moungi Bawendi, Caltech professor Dr. James Heath, and UC Berkeley professor Dr. Peidong Yang.

From the company’s press release:
Sigma-Aldrich (Nasdaq: SIAL) today announced a distribution agreement with Nanosys, Inc., an advanced materials architect. Under the agreement, Sigma-Aldrich, through its Aldrich Materials Science business, is now distributing Nanosys-created silicon nanowires to the global scientific research community for the development of new applications in technologies such as solid-state lighting, electronics and energy storage. read full press release