GenoLogics, the leading provider of informatics solutions for translational research, today announced it has completed $5 million in financing, which will be applied towards ongoing expansion plans.

The latest round of financing was led by OVP Venture Partners of Seattle with support from Growth Works and Yaletown Venture Partners of Vancouver. The funds will be used to accelerate development and global deployment of an end-to-end informatics solution for organizations pursuing translational research initiatives.

“We feel positive that the growth GenoLogics has experienced will continue as they expand their footprint in the life sciences software market,” said Chad Waite, Managing Director at OVP Venture Partners. “We’ve already seen GenoLogics make significant inroads by establishing collaborative partnerships with leading organizations that are looking for ways to achieve their translational research outcomes.”

Last year GenoLogics announced a new product suite for biorepositories and biomedical informatics to help customers better manage their clinical information. GenoLogics has developed this product suite in collaboration with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Windber Research Institute and the University of Texas Medical Branch. When the biomedical products are deployed in combination with the GenoLogics’ research informatics solutions, clients have a comprehensive bench-to-bedside informatics platform to enable their translational research initiatives.

“Over the past year we’ve invested in enhancing the capabilities our informatics platform to integrate data from both the clinical and research domains, providing our clients with an end-to-end translational research solution,” said Michael Ball, CEO for GenoLogics. “The additional funding will allow us to accelerate deployment of our biomedical informatics product suite, as well as expand our sales and support infrastructure to sustain the rapid increase we are seeing in customer adoption.”

About GenoLogics

GenoLogics is the leading provider of informatics solutions for translational research, spanning both the discovery and biomedical research domains. Our science purposed modules for discovery research are complemented by a highly configurable, integrating lab informatics platform that is scalable to service many labs and sciences across an organization. Our Biomedical Informatics product suite allows labs to track and manage their biospecimen and clinical annotations data, while aggregating results with our Research Informatics solution for a holistic view. For more information, please visit www.genologics.com.

GenoLogics, the leading provider of informatics solutions for translational research, today announced it has completed $5 million in financing, which will be applied towards ongoing expansion plans.

The latest round of financing was led by OVP Venture Partners of Seattle with support from Growth Works and Yaletown Venture Partners of Vancouver. The funds will be used to accelerate development and global deployment of an end-to-end informatics solution for organizations pursuing translational research initiatives.

“We feel positive that the growth GenoLogics has experienced will continue as they expand their footprint in the life sciences software market,” said Chad Waite, Managing Director at OVP Venture Partners. “We’ve already seen GenoLogics make significant inroads by establishing collaborative partnerships with leading organizations that are looking for ways to achieve their translational research outcomes.”

Last year GenoLogics announced a new product suite for biorepositories and biomedical informatics to help customers better manage their clinical information. GenoLogics has developed this product suite in collaboration with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Windber Research Institute and the University of Texas Medical Branch. When the biomedical products are deployed in combination with the GenoLogics’ research informatics solutions, clients have a comprehensive bench-to-bedside informatics platform to enable their translational research initiatives.

“Over the past year we’ve invested in enhancing the capabilities our informatics platform to integrate data from both the clinical and research domains, providing our clients with an end-to-end translational research solution,” said Michael Ball, CEO for GenoLogics. “The additional funding will allow us to accelerate deployment of our biomedical informatics product suite, as well as expand our sales and support infrastructure to sustain the rapid increase we are seeing in customer adoption.”

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VICTORIA, BC – In today’s Budget, the Government of British Columbia announced a $14 billion investment in infrastructure projects. “I applaud the Government on its commitment to investing in infrastructure projects such as technology parks that create jobs and will contribute to the economic recovery of British Columbia,” said Dale Gann, President of the Canadian Association of University Research Parks (AURP Canada).

 “AURP Canada will work in collaboration with the federal and provincial government to ensure that infrastructure investments are directed to projects that can be key drivers of the economy,” Gann said following the Budget speech.  “Many of these projects are already up and running and ready to take the next step.  These projects have proven records of return, which means that any new investment will start to show immediate and continuing impact to our economy.”

Of the twenty-three “shovel-ready” projects that exist across Canada, AURP Canada has identified five LEED-certified projects from three technology parks in British Columbia: Vancouver Island Technology Park, Discovery Parks, and Great Northern Way Campus.

Gann said he applauds the financial foresight of the British Columbia Government in investing in knowledge-based infrastructure like technology parks which can result in significant economic benefits for the province.

AURP Canada represents twenty-six research and technology parks across Canada and is part of the North American association that represents 155 research and technology parks in Canada and the United States.  AURP Canada is committed towards building awareness about science and technology infrastructure in Canada and its critical role it plays in future growth and sustainability of these knowledge-based communities.

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About AURP Canada

The Association of University Research Parks (AURP) is a North American non-profit organization that represents the 155 university research parks across the United States and Canada. In 2007, Canadian members of AURP determined that Canada’s 26 research parks required a national organization to unite   the collective efforts of each park, and to establish an advocacy strategy with provincial and federal governments that would ultimately result in enhanced support of research and innovation within Canada. On August 1st of 2007 AURP Canada became the first official chapter of AURP.  AURP Canada is to act as the united voice of Canadian university research parks to build awareness in support of science and technology infrastructure enabling all stakeholders to achieve future growth and sustainability while nurturing the economic prosperity of these knowledge-based communities. www.aurpcanada.ca

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dale C. Gann

President, AURP Canada

c/o Vancouver Island Technology Park

2201-4464 Markham Street

Victoria, BC V8Z 7X8

Mobile Phone:  250.888.5830

Email:   dgann@vitp.ca

VICTORIA – Budget 2009 supports infrastructure projects to create thousands of jobs and build opportunities in every region of the province while providing stability and confidence for British Columbians by investing in health, education and social services, announced Finance Minister Colin Hansen today.

  “Budget 2009 builds on B.C.’s Economic Plan to help families, communities and business alleviate the effects of the economic slowdown,” said Hansen. “Despite unprecedented global economic turmoil, we are improving public services and making critical investments to create tens of thousands of jobs and position British Columbia as a leader in the coming economic recovery.”

  Budget 2009 invests almost $14 billion in infrastructure projects in every region of British Columbia. The Province will move forward on its capital plan and partner with the federal government and municipalities to build and upgrade housing, hospitals, schools and roads. These new and accelerated investments will generate as many as 88,000 jobs across B.C.

          “Our immediate investment in infrastructure will help stimulate the economy, maintain stability and keep British Columbians working during the downturn – every job counts,” Hansen said. “With our federal and municipal partners, we will build the assets we need to support future growth and development in our province.”

          Budget 2009 enhances the fundamental public services on which British Columbians depend. As a result of a comprehensive review of government spending that began last fall, $1.9 billion will be reallocated to strengthen health, education and social services.

  Over the next three years, health-care funding will increase by $4.8 billion. By 2011/12, total provincial health spending will be $17.5 billion – an increase of 65 per cent since 2001.

  The budget maintains funding for kindergarten to Grade 12 education, resulting in per-student funding of $8,242, the highest level in B.C. history. The budget invests $228 million over three years in post-secondary education to enhance access to institutions, expand health education programs, and fulfil the commitment to increase the number of trained physicians in B.C.

              For British Columbians in need, Budget 2009 invests $351 million to support income assistance, programs for adults with developmental disabilities, and funding for healthy child and family development.

              As allowed by the recently amended Balanced Budget and Ministerial Accountability Act, Budget 2009 includes a temporary deficit for two fiscal years due to the impact of the global economic crisis on provincial revenues. The deficit is forecast to be $495 million for 2009/10 and $245 million for 2010/11, with a return to balanced budgets by 2011/12.

  “There is no doubt that volatile commodity prices, instability in financial markets and weaker global economies have had a detrimental effect on our revenues,” said Hansen. “Our enduring commitment to sound fiscal management and prudent budgeting ensures we will not leave a legacy of deficit budgets for future generations.”

              With Budget 2009, the government sets out a plan to take full advantage of four key opportunities in the coming economic recovery: being a leader in the new, green economy; building on the Asia-Pacific Gateway Strategy; becoming a centre for international commerce; and, capitalizing on the benefits of hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

  “We have worked hard over the last seven years to bring British Columbia back to being a destination for people to live, work, play and invest,” said Hansen. “Our increasingly diverse economy will enable B.C. to weather the economic storm better than almost any other jurisdiction on the continent. British Columbia will emerge stronger, more confident and enter a whole new stage of growth.”

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For the finance minister’s speech and more details on Budget 2009, visit www.bcbudget.ca

In today’s Budget, the Government of British Columbia announced a $14 billion investment in infrastructure projects. “I applaud the Government on its commitment to investing in infrastructure projects such as technology parks that create jobs and will contribute to the economic recovery of British Columbia,” said Dale Gann, President of the Canadian Association of University Research Parks (AURP Canada).

“AURP Canada will work in collaboration with the federal and provincial government to ensure that infrastructure investments are directed to projects that can be key drivers of the economy,” Gann said following the Budget speech.  “Many of these projects are already up and running and ready to take the next step.  These projects have proven records of return, which means that any new investment will start to show immediate and continuing impact to our economy.”

Of the twenty-three “shovel-ready” projects that exist across Canada, AURP Canada has identified five LEED-certified projects from three technology parks in British Columbia: Vancouver Island Technology Park, Discovery Parks, and Great Northern Way Campus.

Gann said he applauds the financial foresight of the British Columbia Government in investing in knowledge-based infrastructure like technology parks which can result in significant economic benefits for the province.

AURP Canada represents twenty-six research and technology parks across Canada and is part of the North American association that represents 155 research and technology parks in Canada and the United States.  AURP Canada is committed towards building awareness about science and technology infrastructure in Canada and its critical role it plays in future growth and sustainability of these knowledge-based communities.

About AURP Canada
The Association of University Research Parks (AURP) is a North American non-profit organization that represents the 155 university research parks across the United States and Canada. In 2007, Canadian members of AURP determined that Canada’s 26 research parks required a national organization to unite   the collective efforts of each park, and to establish an advocacy strategy with provincial and federal governments that would ultimately result in enhanced support of research and innovation within Canada. On August 1st of 2007 AURP Canada became the first official chapter of AURP.  AURP Canada is to act as the united voice of Canadian university research parks to build awareness in support of science and technology infrastructure enabling all stakeholders to achieve future growth and sustainability while nurturing the economic prosperity of these knowledge-based communities. www.aurpcanada.ca

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Solar technology provider Carmanah Technologies Corporation (TSX: CMH) has partnered with Shine Micro Inc. to add an automatic identification system (AIS) capability to its line of stand-alone solar-powered LED (light emitting diode) marine lanterns.

Widely used by ships and vessel traffic services (VTS) to identify and locate vessels, AIS technology enables ships to automatically exchange a range of navigational data including position, course, speed and proximity to other nearby ships, VTS stations, and AIS-equipped navigational buoys. According to Ted Lattimore, CEO, Carmanah Technologies, this partnership presents a valuable opportunity for both businesses and their customers.

"As a manufacturer of solar-powered marine lanterns, Carmanah is well positioned to incorporate Shine Micro's AIS capability as part of an enhanced solar-powered solution," said Lattimore. "An integrated solar-LED lantern offers many benefits — it's compact, reliable, low maintenance, and built to endure some of the most challenging environments on Earth — there's no reason why we can't extend these benefits to accommodate Shine Micro's powerful AIS technology as well," added Lattimore. "We look forward to working with Shine Micro to develop some exciting new technology for the marine industry — something to help our customers increase safety and security more efficiently and affordably than ever before."

"It has always been of paramount importance at Shine Micro to produce rugged, high performance AIS equipment with the lowest power consumption in the industry," said Mark Johnson, President, Shine Micro Inc. "This makes the integration with Carmanah's solar LED light technology an excellent fit."

Carmanah solar LED marine lanterns provide a reliable lighting solution for coast guards, ports and harbour authorities around the world, including New York Harbor, the Port of London, the Suez Canal and Sydney Harbour.

About Shine Micro Inc.

Established in 1980, Shine Micro Inc. is a designer of microprocessor-based electronics for the marine VHF industry. Shine Micro products are praised by commercial, recreational, and military users alike as the most sensitive automatic identification system (AIS) receivers commercially available. For more information, visit www.shinemicro.com

About Carmanah Technologies Corporation

As one of the most trusted names in solar technology, Carmanah has earned a reputation for delivering strong and effective products for industrial applications worldwide. Industry proven to perform reliably in some of the world's harshest environments, Carmanah solar LED lights and solar power systems provide a durable, dependable and cost effective energy alternative. Carmanah is a publicly traded company, with common shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CMH." For more information, visit www.carmanah.com

For many engineering graduates, the most memorable part of their degree is the time spent applying their skills through co-op work term placements. For mechanical engineering student Georg Tuchlinski who travelled to Munich, Germany to work for BMW this past fall, the memories will last a lifetime.

Working for the coveted car company was a long time dream of German born Tuchlinski, who is fluent in the language. But getting the job meant getting over the low salary.

“You don’t work in Europe for the money,” says Tuchlinski, “you go for the experience.”

In Germany, apprenticing an engineer is considered a great privilege, and many students there do it for little or no money. But there are many other incentives.

“They let students drive the cars, because they know we love that,” he explains. “I was in a 275 horsepower 1 Series BMW on the second week on the job.”

He also snagged one of the few available spots in BMW staff accommodations, where he could walk to work and not pay more than his monthly wage for rent, as he would have if he had lived elsewhere in the urban centre.

Tuchlinski also loved the work place mentality: “My boss just said, show up sometime in the morning and leave in the afternoon. There was a lot of flexibility.” That, and there was great food and, of course, good beer.

Perks aside, the work was challenging and well worth the trip. Tuchlinski’s main task was to assist with vibration tests done on inline 6 Otto-cycle engines to ensure that they would provide the quietest possible ride. “It was awesome because other people aren’t going to see these designs for years,” says Tuchlinski.

Now Tuchlinski has an impressive name on his résumé that he’s sure will pay off in the long run. “Not many people can say they’ve worked at BMW. I’m sure this is going to help me next time I’m looking for a job. It was a really, really great experience all around.”

When BC Transit’s first hydrogen-fueled bus hits the streets of Victoria this summer, Jeremy Wise will know it’s an environmentally sustainable choice for the province. Last fall the UVic mechanical engineering student spent a four-month co-op term performing a lifecycle analysis of BC Transit’s current fleet of diesel, bio-diesel and hybrid buses, to compare their lifecycles to the projected lifecycle data for the new zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell buses that will begin joining the BC Transit fleet this summer. Lifecycle analysis considers the environmental impact of a product from cradle to grave, including production, operation and disposal.

“There were a million different factors to consider,” says Wise. “The research involved a lot more than just looking at the best fuel to kilometre ratio.” For instance it’s often said that the only thing coming out of the tail pipe of a hydrogen-fueled vehicle is water. But as Wise explained, some forget to consider how the fuel was produced. “If they use coal or another fossil fuel to separate the hydrogen, then we have to add that to the equation,” said Wise, adding that in BC we use mostly hydro-electrical energy, which is renewable and doesn’t create emissions. Given this, Wise concluded that hydrogen-fueled buses will lower overall emissions and lessen the fleet’s environmental impact.

Wise’s attention to detail was part of what landed him the job. After meeting BC Transit Project Manager Bruce Rothwell at a conference on alternative energy last year, he worked with Rothwell to create his own co-op position. “Co-op is always a great resource for us to find help,” said Rothwell. “It was a really good experience that we both benefited from. We didn’t really have the people available to do this baseline research so it was definitely a good time to bring a co-op student on board to get it done.”

It was certainly a timely work term. The province recently committed to funding the world’s largest commercial hydrogen development with a fleet of 20 low-floor, hydrogen-powered busses and a series of fueling stations. The buses are scheduled to hit the roads across the province in time for the 2010 Olympics.