PRESS RELEASES   Found in translation 03/12/2006 The Oklahoman By Mike Anderson, Ph.D. Basic biomedical research leads to discovery, discovery needs translation to diagnostics and therapeutics that save or enhance human life. Translational research -- moving discoveries in the labs to the marketplace -- is a significant reality here in Oklahoma. "Found in Translation" is a brief story about five science companies that spin off from research at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Several years ago, Presbyterian Health Foundation, the Noble Foundation, OMRF and a group of private capital investors created the Oklahoma Life Science Fund. William Paiva is the director. His Ph.D. in the biosciences and M.B.A. from an Ivy League university make him an ideal fund manager. Here is what happened: $4.1 million was invested in five startup bioscience companies -- For Health, Inoveon, InterGenetics, Zapaq and Ekips. These five companies have raised $96.1 million in investment capital. That is a leverage ratio of 23.72 to l. What business person would not enjoy seeing $1 raise $23? The venture firms that brought most of the $96.1 million to the tables of these companies are outside of Oklahoma. These young companies, based on innovation from the life sciences here, abound with opportunity for the future. The real story of each company is still at the stage of prolegomenon. Watch the plots of these five stories unfold. Oklahoma scientists are making important ventures for an expansive future. New Enterprise Associates, Center Point Venture, Massey Burch Capital Corporation, Sanderling, Affinity Capital "prolog" and Lilly Corporation are the outside investors contributing to these five companies. PHF is committed to the support of basic biomedical research and its translation to commercialization, a process that "incubates" science companies in Oklahoma. That is the purpose of the PHF Research Park. Each of these companies have products that serve the common good. Beyond that mission is the outstanding economic impact. These five companies employ more than 500 scientists, technicians and workers representing a payroll of $35 million per year. Excellent jobs with a significant future attract creative people to Oklahoma. Good science is translated to successful science-based companies here in Oklahoma. When the state of Oklahoma begins to accelerate its commitment to fund research, and fund translational research in commercialization, many more Oklahoma companies will be "Found in Translation." The best and brightest of our university graduates will discover important careers here in Oklahoma. Anderson is president of Presbyterian Health Foundation.