Yale Announces Formation Of Valuable New Biotechnology Firm That Could Help Boost New Haven-Area Economy

Yale Reaches Top National Ranking In Technology Transfer

New Haven, Conn. -- Yale University today announced an agreement to help launch Molecular Staging Inc. (MSI), a promising new biotechnology firm that will be located in the New Haven area. The company has acquired from Yale innovative genetic technologies that could revolutionize medical diagnostics, according to Gregory E. Gardiner, director of Yale's Office of Cooperative Research (OCR).

MSI, which initially plans to hire 20-30 people and to occupy 10,000 square feet of laboratory space, is the fourth biotechnology company based on Yale research discoveries to be launched this year, Gardiner said. He added that he hopes to maintain a pace of launching three or four new companies each year and is already far along with planning for the next group.

"Yale is taking a more active role in forming start-up companies in an effort to make sure the New Haven area reaps economic benefits from the University's research," said Gardiner, whose office is responsible for promoting development of Yale discoveries by the private sector. "Aside from creating jobs for about 70 people, the four companies are developing technologies that have the potential to significantly benefit human health throughout the world."

The firms are developing diagnostic tests for diseases ranging from Lyme disease to prostate cancer, refining techniques for locating genetic defects on chromosomes, studying receptors in the brain associated with chronic pain, and analyzing population genetics to unravel the causes of diseases that involve defects in multiple genes.

MSI, which is developing new methods important in diagnosing cancer and deadly viruses, is based on the research of a number of Yale scientists, said Acting President Michael I. Sherm
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Contact: Cynthia Atwood
Cynthia.Atwood@Yale.edu
203-432-1326
Yale University
27-Mar-1998