LOMA LINDA>> A new start-up incubator has opened at Loma Linda University Health. Called n3eight, and pronounced “n-cubed 8” or “incubate,” the center was created as a place where researchers can bring promising new ideas from Loma Linda University Health laboratories into a business development space.
Products will be built, tested, refined and prepared for commercial distribution to physicians and patients. The center will also create jobs and enhance the economy of the Inland Empire, said Michael Samardzija, PhD, JD, associate vice president for research development for Loma Linda University Health.
“We’re creating companies that will develop innovations into products and deliver them to patients and physicians, all while creating new jobs,” Samardzija said.
N3eight will comprise nine start-up companies, and representatives will be on hand at the grand opening to talk with members of the public and reporters about how their firms will benefit consumers. Samardzija said the start-up will develop both diagnostic and therapeutic products.
The nine companies are:
• Step Lite — illuminating pedals for use in surgery.
• iEye — diagnosing age-related macular degeneration.
• iSpin — small molecules targeting the Human Papillomavirus.
• StemRex — cell therapy programmed to become brain, bone, heart, liver, pancreas, kidney, or other cells.
• Vis — self-locking pedicle screws for back surgery.
• Tack — a novel device that will provide for better crowns and dental implants.
• Elf Zone — creating xenograft cancer models to assist in the fight against health disparities.
• Wholeness365 — creating a novel tool to assist healthcare practitioners in providing whole person care.
• SwimKey — An app that allows dentists to quickly identify a patient’s implant and all parts that can be used with it and seamlessly allows the dentist to order the desired part Samardzija said the new center has obtained the support of California State University, San Bernardino, which will send business students to work with business development specialists as interns and project managers.
Samardzija is also anticipating collaboration with additional business schools.
John Husing, PhD, chief economist for the Inland Empire Economic Partnership, anticipates that new center will deliver on its promise.
“The new center will benefit the region by spawning new companies and attracting others to capitalize on research discoveries,” Husing said. “That will, in turn, create better-paying jobs that will draw more highly educated employees to the area.”