KGI Achieves Record Number of Corporate Sponsors for TMPs

CLAREMONT, Calif., September 21, 2007 – Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) today announced that 11 life science and other companies are sponsoring Team Masters Projects (TMPs) for 2007-2008—the highest total since the TMP program began in 2001.

Representing the capstone of the MBS program, TMPs consist of teams of three to five students who work with a corporate sponsor to solve a real problem or address a real opportunity confronting the company. Teams are advised by KGI faculty and an industry liaison. TMP activities emphasize problem-solving, project management, productive teamwork and effective communications.

“More life science companies than ever before are participating in our TMPs because of the outstanding work by our graduate students,” said Sheldon Schuster, PhD, KGI’s president. “Companies see firsthand the applied business and scientific skills of our Master of Bioscience students who can tackle even the most complex problems facing biotech companies today. At the same time the students gain experience that will be applicable as they enter the industry upon graduation.”

Among this year’s returning sponsors, Beckman Coulter is sponsoring its seventh TMP, the most of any company to date. Two other returning companies—Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Gilead Sciences—are sponsoring two projects this year, bringing their cumulative TMP totals to four and five, respectively.

Five companies are first-time TMP sponsors: The Brainscope Company; Gambro BCT; Sterogene Bioseparations; Syngenta Global; and Theravance.

The complete lineup of sponsors and project titles are as follows:

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

• Evaluation of alternate methods for Leptin production
• Evaluation of implantable delivery systems for chronic therapy in diabetes and obesity

Beckman Coulter, Inc.

• Current and future role of mass spectrometry and multiplex assays in human diagnostic testing

The BrainScope Company, Inc.

• Advanced Electroencephalographic technology applications

Clear Springs Land Company LLC

• Algae biodiesel/ethanol optimization project

Dow AgroSciences, Inc.

• Market assessment of stress tolerant traits for field production of corn and development of proof-of-concept assays for rapid screening of targeted traits

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

• Expanding the use of deLINK into manufacturing using bar-coded information
• Inspection and defect reduction technology for parenteral and solid dosage forms manufactured at Gilead Sciences San Dimas

Gambro BCT, Inc. (Navigant Biotechnologies)

• Blood products treatment

Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics

• Characterization of drivers for on-analyzer stability of immunoassays using specified reagents as a marker

Sterogene Bioseparations, Inc.

• Direct capture of biomolecules from fermentation broth

Syngenta Global

• Design and development of a tape-based PCR system

Theravance, Inc.

• Leveraging global capabilities to speed drug discovery and early development

CONTACT:
Noel Brinkerhoff
Associate Director of Donor Relations
909/607-0135
nbrinker@kgi.edu