NevBio-Mission, Vision & Goals

The Nevada Biotechnology and Bioscience Consortium (NevBio) is an organization of institutes, companies, and academia in Nevada engaged in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceutical research and production, medical devices, and health science research.

The mission of the NevBio is to foster and support biotechnology and life science-related businesses in Nevada and to promote and elevate the presence of life science research in Nevada.

GOALS:

1) To create forums for non-profit and for-profit entities that allow business networking and the opportunity to exchange ideas that will move Nevada forward in the field of biotechnology and life sciences research.

2) To support life science businesseses in all aspects of moving a potential product from the laboratory, through the approval process, to the marketplace.

3) To provide a centralized data resource for all health science-related research entities and companies in Nevada.

4) To work with universities to enhance the knowledge transfer to the community to create new companies and new partnership opportunities for Nevada companies.

5) To promote the study and understanding of science for all Nevadans, with an emphasis on elementary, middle, and high school students

Chancellor Jim Rogers Pushes for Applied Medical Programs and State of the Art Research

Chancellor Jim Rogers gave his 2007 State of the System Address in which he said that the Nevada Health Sciences System will develop quality medical care and state of the art research. The eight institutions have 150 related health programs which the system is expanding to create more nurses, doctors, and health care professionals. The institutions are forming partnerships with doctors, hospitals and researchers to raise the quality of health care in Nevada. Rogers said that Nevada is ranked 45th for doctors, 49th for nurses and 39th in state health status.

Rogers also believes that the university need to develop business partnerships which will help drive the economic engine of Nevada. Rogers believes that a key part of Nevada’s economic future requires 1) research and technology transfer and 2)workforce development and training. Rogers is committed to increasing the number of kids that finish high school and complete a college education which is an area that Nevada can improve.

Rogers would like to see more businesses and individuals invest in education. He believes that a great university system cannot be built alone by legislators; 75% of the funding must come from the private sector. Although he believes it is crucial in 2009 that the legislature increases its funding of higher education.

Health Sciences are definitely a priority for Chancellor Rogers.



1. Nevada’s State of Education October 2007. Copy of speeches by Chancellor Jim Rogers, Superintendent Walt Rulffess, et al. October 10, 2007.

NeoStem to Hold Press Conference at Nevada Biotechnology Meeting

NeoStem, an adult stem cell collection and storage services firm, will announce its plans to open a facility in Las Vegas at the October 23, 2007 meeting of the Nevada Biotechnology and Bioscience Consortium (NevBio). Dr. Denis Rodgerson, Ph.D., Director of Stem Cell Science for NeoStem and a co-founder of NeoStem will speak at the meeting on “Using Our Own Stem Cells for Therapeutic Purposes.” After the program, NeoStem and the Nevada Development Authority will have a press conference to announce NeoStem’s plans for a facility in Las Vegas. Carl Reiber, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for UNLV's College of Sciences was excited to hear that NeoStem was coming to Las Vegas, “the School of Life Sciences at UNLV has a fully functioning Genomics Laboratory and is developing a tissue laboratory. Our faculty and students welcome the opportunity to develop public-private research partnerships and we look forward to working with the expanding number of businesses in southern Nevada who are applying this technology.” NeoStem currently has one facility in California and is licensed for one in New York.

NeoStem is the first company to provide adult stem cell collection and bank services to the general adult population. Previously, stem cells had to be collected from the bone marrow under a procedure known as “bone marrow aspiration” which could be painful. NeoStem uses a procedure called mobilization which involves two injections that temporarily cause a person’s stem cells to move from the bone marrow into the blood. NeoStem then uses use a procedure known as apheresis. It is procedure that is similar to donating blood in which a person’s blood is collected, the stem cells removed and the blood is returned to the person’s body. The process takes several hours. The stem cells are stored in a cryo-preservation tank. NeoStem says studies have shown that 3% of stem cells off every 30 years.

According to NeoStem, adult stem cells have been used as treatments in humans for over 30 years to treat cancer and certain blood disorders. Storing one’s own stem cells, autologous, has many advantages such as there are no issues with immune rejection, the stem cells are readily available and autologous cells are less costly than allogeneic.

Currently, adult stem cells are used in the treatment of Leukemia, Neuroblastoma, Lymphoma, Anemia, Multiple sclerosis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritits, Oteochondrosis, Retinoblastoma and radiation sickness. In the future, it is hope that adult stem cells can be used to treat Heart Disease, Diabetes, Renal Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Stroke, Spinal Cord injury and wound healing.

John Laub, Executive Director of the Nevada Biotechnology and Bioscience Consortium (NevBio) said, “We are very pleased to welcome NeoStem to Las Vegas. We look to help them integrate with our growing biotechnology community.” The NevBio meeting is October 23rd at 12 PM noon, 11:30 AM check-in at Panevino Restaurant (E.Sunset & Gilepsie) 246 Via Antonio Avenue. The public is welcomed. The cost is $30 which includes lunch. All payments are taken at the door. To guarantee a seat you must RSVP with Judith Rebholz at jrebholz@cvbt.com or call 702-839-7222. A press conference will follow at 2 PM.

The Nevada Biotechnology and Bioscience Consortium is a non-profit, educational organization with the purpose of advancing life science research and promoting the biotechnology and life science-related industry in Nevada. www.nevbio.org