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FAU CENTER OF EXCELLENCE SPAWNS SECOND SPIN-OFF COMPANY
by Debra Kain - FAU Media Contact
BOCA RATON, FL (December 6, 2004) Ü Building upon the successes of the Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology at Florida Atlantic University, a second start-up company has been established as part of what is anticipated to be a biotech boom in Palm Beach County.
Dr. Salvatore Lepore, assistant professor of chemistry at FAU, and his wife, Susan Lepore, have recently teamed to establish Custom Synthesis Inc. (CSI), a company based in Delray Beach, Florida. CSI specializes in the synthesis of custom organic compounds for biotech and pharmaceutical researchers. The firm has already been retained by Scripps Florida to support its medicinal chemistry group.
The company was founded by Susan Lepore, a licensed Professional Engineer who is CSI's President and CEO. Dr. Salvatore Lepore, who will serve as a part-time scientific consultant to CSI, focuses his research at FAU on organic chemistry as applied to drug discovery. He was formerly a research scientist at Eli Lilly and Company, one of the nation's top pharmaceutical manufacturers. Other FAU faculty researchers, as well as local biotechnology companies, have already utilized the services of CSI and the company plans to expand its presence statewide. CSI's capability to provide custom-made chemical compounds that are not otherwise commercially available will streamline the research process for scientists, according to Susan Lepore.
Dr. Salvatore Lepore is currently engaged in Center-supported research that has resulted in FAU filing a patent for highly efficient chemical methods that may ultimately be applied to the preparation of medical diagnostic imaging agents. CSI plans to license this and additional technology from research being conducted through FAU's Center of Excellence for marketing to the private biotech sector.
"Congratulations to FAU and Custom Synthesis, Inc. - today's news is truly inspiring," said Governor Jeb Bush. "FAU and its Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology have proven themselves committed to taking full advantage of the promise of Scripps Florida. The faculty, students and staff of FAU's Center of Excellence should be commended for their passion and belief in innovation and their work to advance the future of the life sciences industry sector in Florida."
CSI anticipates rapid growth and hiring qualified organic chemists that might otherwise relocate out of the state. CSI's first chemist, Anita Khoram, recently graduated from FAU with a master's degree in organic chemistry.
CSI is the second spin-off company to be announced by the Center of Excellence in the past month. Tequesta Marine Biosciences, a company founded to develop therapeutic drugs for inflammatory diseases, also has an option to license FAU technology developed by an FAU researcher in the Center of Excellence, Dr. Russell Kerr.
The Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology was established in Fall 2002 and FAU's Division of Research and Graduate Studies received a $10 million grant from the State of Florida in September 2003.
"A major objective of the Center is to promote and facilitate the transfer of university technology into the private sector," said Dr. Larry F. Lemanski, vice president for Research and Graduate Studies at FAU. "We are extremely proud of our scientists who have made such great strides in the past year."
MEDIA CONTACTS: Debra Kain - 561-297-2010, dkain@fau.edu or
Kristine McGrath - 561-297-1168, kmcgrath@fau.edu
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