Innovation News

Former P&Gers develop new drug for Blue Ash Therapeutics, gain $2 million in startup funds

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April 27, 2010

Procter & Gamble may have exited the pharmaceutical making business but some of the talent behind its drug development continues to create in Cincinnati.Blue Ash Pharmaceuticals, a startup, is on the verge of a major breakthrough with $2 million in recently secured financing and a new heart-related drug in the final stages of FDA approval.The company was co-founded by pharmaceutical industry veterans Greg Flexter and Kevin Malloy. The pair secured the license for the anti-arrhythmic drug Azimilide from Procter & Gamble and then from Warner Chilcott, which bought P&G Pharmaceuticals last year. The company was formed to keep drug development know-how in Cincinnati.An extended network of former P&G scientists and physicians worked to develop Azimilide, which aims to help stabilize heart rhythms in patients that have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, or ICD. Though ICDS can prevent heart attacks and death, the resulting pace setting shocks can lead to complications and pain that can worsen symptoms and require increased hospitalization."There is currently no approved anti-arrhythmic drug for ICD patients," said Malloy, a 25-year P&G pharmaceutical veteran. "Instead, doctors are using off-label generic drugs that are poorly tolerated and have serious irreversible side effects. Azimilide is an oral once-a-day drug intended to help ICD patients by reducing the need for pacing and shocks and reducing ER visits/hospitalizations and improving overall quality of life."Azimilide is only one step away from FDA approval. The company has received startup funding from CincyTech, Queen City Angels, Ohio Third Frontier/Cleveland Clinic and New York City investors. "We are looking forward to the future of Blue Ash Therapeutics and our partnership with CincyTech and the rest of our team of investors," said Flexter, former CEO of Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals in Newport, Ky. "Azimilide has a lot of potential in a promising marketplace, and we are eager to complete the journey for a drug that's been a major part of many people's scientific careers."Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: CincyTech

Latest in Innovation News

TLC to take a peek into reality makeover show Kim’s Closet, pilot to shoot this summer

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Innovation News

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April 27, 2010

A planned makeover reality show set in Cincinnati is back on track after a setback for creator Kimberly Anderson.The show, Kim's Closet, was set to launch last fall but was put on hold after the death of Anderson's father. This spring Anderson is again ready to tackle her dream of creating a reality show focused on everyday beauty for busy women."We are not flying guests to exotic places to shop. We are taking men and women shopping right in their hometown. The guest and the viewer truly cannot learn style lessons if the resources that we show them are not accessible," Anderson explained.In this show, Anderson will serve double duty as both host and stylist, where she'll makeover Cincinnati men and women in way that works with their lifestyle and can be maintained. Anderson brought along an all-Cincinnati cast of stylists and a photographer to help pull participant's style together. They are Lyndsey Yeager of Glossa Makeup in Covington; Leah Spurrier, of HighStreet Lifestyle Store and Studio; Cassie Dusold, of Bella Rey Salon; and Robert Romundo, Ramundo Photography of Cincinnati.The show is being developed with Kikilu Productions, a Cincinnati a creative agency specializing in the development of lifestyle television programming.The cable network TLC has shown interest in the show's pilot, which is scheduled to be shot this July, she said. "We are currently very busy shopping the concept and will shop the pilot once completed. TLC has asked to see the pilot, but there are no firm network or cable outlet (commitments) at this time," the Hyde Park stylist said.Jackie Alexander, a special education coordinator and mother of five from Hebron, in Northern Kentucky, has been selected to appear in the pilot.The show has also picked up a sponsor, California Closets, an international custom closet and storage installation company with a location in Mason."I really like Kim's approach to helping everyday people regain their personal style. She genuinely wants to help people, in a very uplifting way, feel good about who they are. This is not a show about glitz and glamour only; it is about rediscovery and real people," said California Closets President Charlie Meyer.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Kimberly Anderson, creator of Kim's ClosetYou can follow Feoshia on twitter here.

Cincinnati native BoingBoing.net founder returns to hometown for Bold Fusion YP conference

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Entrepreneurship

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April 27, 2010

Native Cincinnatian David Pescovitz left the Queen City in the early 1990s, when he no longer could resist the pull of San Francisco."It was basically a very vibrant time when people where empowering themselves with digital technology to create art, media, communication tools and music. It was inspired partly by the birth of personal computers, and the region being near Silicon Valley. There were remnants of 1960s and psychedelic mindsets," Pescovitz said.More than 15 years later, Pescovitz is the research director of The Institute for the Future, a non-profit think tank that helps organizations think about long-term future trends, and co-editor of BoingBoing.net, a 10-year-old technology, art and culture blog hailed by Time Magazine as one of the "50 Best Web Sites" of 2009.Pescovitz, who returns to Cincinnati periodically to visit family, will bring some insight into the DIY, or "maker," culture sweeping the corporate and entrepreneurial worlds as the keynote speaker at the annual Bold Fusion YP summit set for April 29.In addition to the keynote, vice president and group creative director for LPK Trends, Valerie Jacobs, will review personal, professional and cultural trends over the past 15 years.Bold Fusion, sponsored by Cincinnati USA's Regional Chamber, is a half-day long summit and networking event. This year's theme is "Press Pause and Realign: Using Trends and innovation to tinker and tweak your way to a better future." More than 400 YPs from Greater Cincinnati and beyond are expected to attend this year's event. Pescovitz offered Soapbox Cincinnati a little preview of his talk."There's a sort of reemergence of a Do-It-Yourself culture and a maker culture. These are people who are learning how to alter the products that they buy, or to make things from scratch to connect with other people. They roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. I think this kind of movement has been amplified by the Internet. There are many lessons organizations can learn about innovation, about creativity and open access to ideas and knowledge though this," he said.This innovative sharing culture, spurred by web 2.0 concepts of social networking and relationship building can be used by individuals, and small and large companies alike, he said. "For a large organization there are opportunities to connect with people who are lead users of a product. They're a product's biggest fan, and they're spending time changing or altering a product until it suits their needs. Many companies, when information gets out about change to a products, will get very upset about that. They say 'That's not the way we intended it to be used, or in a worst case will send a cease and desist letter," he said.But for those who don't embrace the future, the consequences could be dire Pescovitz warns."If they don't do it they are doomed, and I mean that seriously. People and companies who embrace this shift are going to innovate much faster and create better relationship with people who buy their products," he said.Bold Fusion is April 29 at the The Westin Cincinnati Downtown. It's from 1 to 5 p.m., followed by happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The cost is $45 for non-profits and companies sending two or more, $60 for members and $85 for non-members. Register online at here or call 513-579-3111.Catch more David Pescovitz in this week's Soapblogs!Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: David Pescovitz, research The Institute for the Future and and co-editor of BoingBoing.netYou can follow Feoshia on twitter here.

Hoist drink helps Cincinnati manage the morning after

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Architecture + Design

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April 26, 2010

"Live for the Night. Plan for the Morning." This slogan encapsulates the balance between work and play that inspired Hoist, a "hydration recovery drink" aimed to combat the dehydration that can make you miserable after an evening of heavy alcohol use. Four Cincinnati natives - Brett Heekin, Kelly Heekin, Ben Schmidt, and Jim Price, got the idea for Hoist ten years ago. Their inspiration: a friend in pro football rehydrated with an electrolyte drink, and used the same drink to speed hangover recovery. Hoist contains twice the electrolytes found in sports drinks, and can be used before, during, or after the party. The Heekins are brothers, and friends of Schmidt and Price since their school days at Summit Country Day. Cincinnati's eclectic mix of college students, young professionals, and hip baby Boomers made this hometown an ideal test market for an after-party product, the creators said. Although the Hoist founders joke about their extensive partying research on the Hoist site, all four came into this beverage venture with experience in marketing and sales. Their business plan was aggressive and clear: test market in Cincinnati, then branch out into the region. Traditional ads, event appearances, product samples and social-media tools are all part of their publicity strategy. They launched Hoist in October with a party and sales in local bars. Local UDF stores began carrying Hoist in February. Today, Hoist has branched out into Columbus UDF stores; a May 28 appearance at the Columbus BeerFest will increase Hoist's regional brand recognition.The Hoist team needed a vehicle for their brand - and found it in The 'Mino. It's a classic El Camino, painted eye-popping blue and silver, and equipped with a giant can of Hoist and built-in coolers. The Streamers, a co-ed group of Hoist enthusiasts, accompany the 'Mino, chatting it up and handing out samples around town. Fans can follow the 'Mino on Twitter or the Hoist website. Currently, five employees work out of Hoist's Oakley office. Amber Milano, Account Manager, enjoys working for Hoist. "No day is really ever the same. I'm new out of school, and I'm learning so much about the bar industry, and the inner workings of launching a new product."Written by: Elena StevensonSource: www.drinkhoist.com; Amber Milano, Account Manager, Hoist

Sunrock Solar: harvesting sustainable power across Southwest Ohio

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Entrepreneurship

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April 20, 2010

Sunrock Solar is a general contractor that designs and installs solar power systems. The Blue Ash-based business consults with home and business owners all over southwest Ohio on energy efficiency solutions. They're most known for the solar panels seen with increasing frequency around the Tri-State, and for solar thermal systems for hot water heating.Carl Adams founded Sunrock Solar in 2008. With a background in computer engineering, he worked for another renewable energy company before striking out on his own. Quality installation makes all the difference in how much solar energy is harvested by photovoltaic (PV) systems and Adams is certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Sunrock Solar uses a solar pathfinder device to find the best placement for solar panels. The pathfinder allows technicians to see the path of the sun and shading patterns on a property over several years. They then transfer that information into a computer program. In most U.S. climates, a PV system with 10 percent efficiency generates about 180 kilowatt-hours per square meter of solar panels. Nathan Young, Project Manager at Sunrock Solar, sees a great opportunity for growth in Cincinnati as the city goes greener. "This area is behind Portland, Boulder, and other green-type communities. But once [solar power] makes sense money-wise, people are more apt to do it."Currently, Sunrock employs three regular staff, and adds temporary help as needed. Adams and his staff are working on promoting their commercial business, and hope to hire more full-time staff once contracts are lined up. Young, who worked in construction before joining Sunrock, enjoys work that allows him to catch rays - in more ways than one. "I enjoy that I’m helping people reduce their carbon footprint." Writer: Elena StevensonSource: Nathan Young, Sunrock Solar project manager

Family starts unique Green Courier business in Cincinnati

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Entrepreneurship

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April 20, 2010

The Green Courier, in Fairfield, is just one of the latest Greater Cincinnati startups fueled - literally -by the eco-conscious movement.The small company was founded by a father-in-law/daughter-in-law team who combined their collective backgrounds in sales and auto management to form this unique business."Neither of us have a background in the courier business," said co-owner Jacinta Hileman, a former West Chester saleswoman. "But my father-in-law had worked for GM for 30-plus years and had retired. He saw a lot of waste and he wanted to do something that made a difference for a change."So this past November Jacinta and her father-in-law Richard Hileman launched The Green Courier with a 2009 Honda Insight. Jacinta, who spent the past five years raising her children at home, runs the operational side of the company. Richard works as the courier.Jacinta believes theirs is the only green courier Service in Southwest Ohio. Such businesses are more common in larger cities like Atlanta and Dallas, she said."We thought it was time for something like that here," she said.Richard makes about 40-50 deliveries each week. Many of the deliveries are downtown, but others are as far as the City of Hamilton. The Honda Insight gets about 42 miles per gallon and produces about 2.92 tons of carbon emissions during a typical downtown to Springdale daily route, she said. Comparatively, an average delivery can gets about 14 miles per gallons and produces 7.8 tons of carbon.The company is located in Fairfield, but Richard generally works remotely. Customers can schedule pickups or check the status of an existing order online, then Richard can follow pick up orders through his laptop.The company's current location is due mostly to economics - the rent is very reasonable - but as it grows it could locate closer to the city. That growth could come sooner rather than later because Jacinta and Richard are already considering hiring a second driver and adding a second vehicle to their fleet, a hybrid SUV that could handle larger orders.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Jacinta Hileman, co-owner The Green CourierYou can follow Feoshia on twitter here.

Northside’s Queen City Cookies hits the sweet spot

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Entrepreneurship

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April 20, 2010

Last week, a package with a hand-addressed label arrived at my office. Inside was a pale blue box with a luxe ribbon and ornate seal. Inside, were delicious works of art from Queen City Cookies. Rarely has article research been so toothsome. Queen City Cookies makes Springerle cookies, a traditional German delicacy. Butter-laden dough is pressed into intricate molds, then baked slowly. The result seems too pretty to eat. But Peggy Shannon, owner of Northside's Queen City Cookies, insists that eating Springerle is the best way to enjoy them. "In many ways, Queen City Cookies is a culmination of all of my life experiences: baking, marketing, and art," explained Shannon. After finishing her MA in Arts Administration at Indiana University, Cincinnati's Contemporary Arts Center recruited Shannon as a marketing director. She settled in to her adopted hometown, and felt a pull to revive the time-honored tradition of crafting Springerle."Cincinnati is abundant with creative thinkers with excellent taste, who appreciate quality and innovation. Springerle cookies, like Cincinnati, are steeped in history and have a rich German heritage." Traditionally, these cookies are anise-flavored and only served during the holiday season. But Queen City Cookies has branched out into 24 flavors, and is currently the only Springerle baker in the U.S. that allows customers to choose any flavor for custom designs. Germans have used Springerle to celebrate life events since the 14th century. Queen City Cookies has more than 350 molds; designs include flowers, infants, musical instruments, and religious symbols. Customers can advance-order cookies for wedding favors, corporate gifts, and other special events. Queen City Cookies can be shipped anywhere in the world. Although most of QCC's sales are through its newly-redesigned website, Shannon is branching out into traditional retail. Starting May 1, Cincinnati Springerle fans will be able to pick up QCC's Baker's Dozen assortment at Picnic and Pantry in Northside. A new, larger Northside kitchen and 24-tray rotating deck oven has expanded hourly cookie output from 40 to 1,400. This quantum leap in production has Shannon almost gleeful. "Now we're really open for business!" As QCC's demand continues to rise, Cincinnatians will be sure to follow Shannon's Springerle motto: Eat. Smile. Repeat.Writer: Elena StevensonSource: Peggy Shannon, Owner, Queen City Cookies

Greater Cincinnati businesses head to Lebanon with thinkGREEN mission

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General

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April 20, 2010

A record number of businesses and organizations will set up shop at Marvin's Organic Gardens in Lebanon for the third annual thinkGreen event April 24.thinkGreen commemorates Earth Day, and showcases environmentally friendly companies across Greater Cincinnati. This year more than 40 vendors and 1,000 people are expected to attend thinkGreen, from noon to six p.m. rain or shine. The event is free."We wanted to create a fun, educational way to give Cincinnati residents more information on living green," Marvin Duren, owner of Marvin's Organic Gardens said. "We want to keep it simple. A small adjustment to your routine can make a difference; it becomes more tangible when people can actually see it. We all know we should be doing our part. This event is a great way to find out what options are best for you."Marvin's Organic Gardens is a full-service nursery, landscape design company, and retail and garden center. Founded in 1999, the business was USDA Certified Organic in 2003.The vendors will run the gamut, from food and retail to consulting and services. thinkGreen is sponsored by Whole Foods Mason and CincyChic. Loveland vegetarian restaurant Veg Head and Milford's Sugar Cupcakery will be there, as will non-profits Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, Sierra Club: Miami Group and Hamilton County Fair Go Green. Retailers Park + Vine, an Over-The-Rhine green general store and The Soapbox Soap Co. in Lebanon will also be there. "We are thrilled to have doubled the number of participants from last year for our annual thinkGREEN event. I believe this shows us the growing interest among our community, which is exactly what we need. The more people we can educate, the more changes we can make and the better we can care for our families, neighborhoods and our Earth," Duren.A series of lectures will be ongoing throughout the afternoon including "Living Green, Living Well: Top Ways to Green your Home & Lifestyle by Ellen Hall of Green Irene, and "Tips to Avoid Injury & Next Day Soreness" by Stacy Walters with Fit to Garden.For the kids, there will be a petting zoo with baby animals from Sunrock Farms in Northern Kentucky, face painting from Face Painting By Tuesday and a special hands-on activity presented by Granny's Garden School. Kids activities are from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.Find a full schedule here. But you might want to get their early. The first 100 attendees will get eco friendly swag bags.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Marvin Duren, owner of Marvin's Organic GardensYou can follow Feoshia on twitter here.

Northern Kentuckian to bring non-profit urban gardening to Cincinnati core

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Diversity

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April 20, 2010

Cincinnati stands apart from many of the country's urban areas with Findlay Market, a place where people who live in the core can easily walk to get fresh food, including an abundance of fruit and vegetables.But Cincinnati is not alone in the dearth of spots available for urban gardening, but a Fort Thomas husband and wife are working to change that by creating a non-profit that would set aside inner city land for gardening.The idea builds on the current work of Memorial Inc., a non-profit which operates the Over-The-Rhine Eco-Garden in partnership with the Civic Garden Center. Memorial Inc. pays local youth a $6 per hour stipend to tend the garden, and sells the produce at Findlay Market. Proceeds go toward funding Memorial Inc's family and youth social and educational programs. Memorial Inc. leases the land, which recently has been threatened by development.That's among reasons that Luke Ebner, who works for Memorial Inc., along with his wife Angela, are working to create Permaganico, a non-profit that will raise funds that will allow him to purchase land in inner city Cincinnati without fear of it being sold to developers."What happens in an urban farming program is sometimes a piece of property is on a-one year lease, the property gets fixed up and the owner wants to sell it," Ebner said.Under Ebner's plan the land would be jointly maintained by Memorial Inc and Permaganico, he said. "What Permaganico is trying to do is provide an opportunity for people who want to get into farming and want to produce food," he said. "We would show them how to do it and show them how to avoid mistakes."Ebner is still in the early stages of forming the non-profit, which would raise organic produce. Permorganico is registered as a state-non-profit and is awaiting registration as a federal 501(c)3.Long-term, Permorganico could serve as a place that could hold land in trust strictly for urban, suburban and rural farming, Ebner said.He would like to see Cincinnati as home to a program similar to The Intervale Center in Burlington VT. Intervale is a non-profit that for more than 30 years has managed and preserved more than 350 acres of land, supporting viable farms and increasing local access to local and organic food and agricultural education.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Luke Ebner, Memorial Inc.

Greg’s Green Supplies turns couple’s environmentally conscious lifestyle into an online business

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Entrepreneurship

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April 13, 2010

A Batavia couple has taken a personal passion for using environmentally friendly products and turned it into a startup Internet business.Greg's Green Supplies is an online shop specializing in a variety of products for the home, pets, men, women and children. The site also carries bath and body products, cleaners and games.Wife and husband Shiela and Greg Shivener launched the business last summer after Greg lost his job as an IT director for a local company. Shiela had long purchased and used many environmentally friendly, and the couple decided to take her knowledge and turn it into a business."My wife has been using a lot of these products in our home for years and we've always been environmentally conscious. So when I lost my job we decided to open up our shop," Greg said.The couple only sells products they've personally researched and used. Products either contain all-natural or organic ingredients, and are biodegradable or made from recycled or recyclable materials."We try to only sell products that are effective and do work," Greg said. "For instance, earlier we started selling a product and realized it wasn't really effective, so we discontinued it."Among the specific products Greg's Green Supplies sells are baby shampoos, sunscreen, hand soap, lip balm, bathroom and glass cleaner and laundry detergent. They also sell a Kitchen Caddy Starter kit which contains a fruit and veggie wash, all purpose cleaner, hand soap and dish cleaner.The couple will be part of the annual ThinkGreen Event at Marvin's Organic Gardens in Lebanon on April 24. ThinkGreen features local and regional companies that sell environmentally sustainable food and other products.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Shiela and Greg Shivener, Greg's Green SuppliesYou can follow Feoshia on twitter here.