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INFOTECH EYES BIOTECH SECTOR FOR GROWTH
Published on May 25, 2002
Author: FRED O. WILLIAMS - News Business Reporter
© The Buffalo News Inc.
Infotech Niagara, a trade group of 230 technology companies, has elected a new chairman and added biotech-oriented directors as it eyes the fledgling biotechnology sector for growth.
Robert Richardson, a vice president of M&T Bank, was elected chairman, replacing founding member and tech entrepreneur David Straitiff. "Our members have a real opportunity to be substantial contributors and beneficiaries of bioinformatics," Richardson said. Tech entrepreneurs and their companies are good candidates to participate in the commercial spin-off activity that's expected to ripple out from the state-funded bioinformatics research center, he said. Information technology companies can provide computer hardware and services to companies researching new gene-based drugs and treatments, Robinson said. More than that, tech companies may be able to parlay their skills into emerging biotech opportunities. "Imaging, database management, statistical analysis -- these are really core (information technology) skills" that are used in biotechnology, Richardson said. Launched five years ago during the Internet's heyday, Infotech Niagara has helped attract $6.5 million in training grants. Its revenue last year was $230,000 from member dues, events, advertising and other sources, executive director Cian Robinson said. Among the group's five new directors are two important figures in the region's bioinformatics effort: Russ Miller, director of the supercomputer center at the University at Buffalo; and Duncan Ross, director of information technology at Cognigen Corp., a drug development contractor to pharmaceutical companies. Straitiff, who remains on the board of directors, felt it was time for the maturing organization to have a change of leadership, Robinson said. "It's been a privilege to lead such a strong group of volunteers and staff through Infotech Niagara's formation and initial growth," Straitiff said in a statement. Another founding member, James Masiello of Atto Technology, stepped down as treasurer while remaining on the board. e-mail: fwilliams@buffnews.com<
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