Start-up companies based on UF technology meet new challenges

May 21, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida spinoff companies are creating new ways to keep people safe and healthy:

Contact lenses improve eye treatment

UF researchers developed soft contact lenses that contain tiny drug-filled particles capable of releasing medications slowly and steadily into the eye. Apeliotus Ophthalmics of Atlanta is developing contact lens drug delivery systems based on this technology, which will offer the promise of easy administration and steady delivery over extended periods. The ophthalmic drug market is estimated at $10 billion worldwide. Glaucoma is the largest segment with 40 percent of the market, but there are tens of millions of people suffering from other ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, dry eye, allergies and inflammation.
Contact: John Edwards, 404-875-9561, jedwards@apeliotus.com
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Interactive simulations educate doctors, history students

Burn Center, an interactive Web-based training program developed by UF experts to model a mass disaster involving patients with burn injuries, is one of two initial products developed by
360Ed Inc of Orlando. The company was founded in 2006 with the mission of providing interactive content to the education and training industries. The ability to develop and publish a wide array of educational products will enable 360Ed to build product line suites that will garner a significant share of the K-12, professional development and post-secondary markets. The company also has created Conspiracy Code, a full-credit adventure game course in American history developed with subject matter experts from the Florida Virtual School.
www.360Ed.com
Contact: Benjamin L. Noel, 407-310-3180,
Related story:
http://news.ufl.edu/2008/09/02/burn-center/

Security system uses ultraviolet light to detect explosives

Delta R Detection of Gainesville is developing an explosive detection system that instantly, reliably, and inexpensively detects the presence of TNT and other explosives simply by shining ultraviolet light on an object that may potentially have traces of explosives. This technology invented by UF researchers uses differential reflectometry that casts light on a material and analyzes the reflected light the material produces in response. The demand for new and improved security measures has increased dramatically because of terrorist threats. Delta R Detection initially plans to partner with Proxitronic Industries to produce the DR scanner and sell it to the Transportation Security Administration in the U.S. and throughout Europe.
Contact: Thierry Dubroca, 352-262-7778,
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This is the second in a series of periodic reports on UF spinoff companies.

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