A meeting was held at the recently-opened UCF Life Sciences Incubator on Aug. 29 where folks were welcomed to tour the facility on the second floor of the GuideWell Innovation Center and listen to updates on the incubator’s plans for the future. Guests also got to meet with the current companies that are a part of the incubator. Additionally, there was a presentation on the updates concerning BioFlorida, which is a membership network that, to quote their website, “is the voice of Florida’s life sciences industry, representing nearly 6,200 establishments and research organizations in the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical technology (devices and diagnostics), health IT and bioagriculture sectors that collectively employ nearly 87,000 Floridians.”

The companies that are currently residing in the Lake Nona UCF Incubator include Aviana Molecular Technologies, SynapCyte, Inspired Performance Institute, Healthy Life America, Merging Traffic and OncoTroy Inc. Each one had a chance to speak about their recent advancements and research. According to the UCF Life Sciences Incubator client overview sheet, here is a brief description of each company listed:

• Aviana Molecular Technologies is a “diagnostic company developing a miniaturized biosensor capable of attaching to a smartphone/smart device through Bluetooth or other wireless connections.”
• SynapCyte is a “regenerative bio-therapeutic company focused on research, development, regulatory approval and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.”
• Inspired Performance Institute states, “You will gain greater self-awareness into old behaviors that no longer serve you, and through our video program and series of follow-up audios and exercises, you will develop healthier behaviors and patterns.”
• Healthy Life America’s goal is to “help families save, live well, balance work and life and plan for the unexpected.”
• Merging Traffic is a “portfolio management company whose equity-based crowdfunding framework is designed to match entrepreneurs with accredited investors, primarily in the FinTech, data science, health, real estate, and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors.”
• OncoTroy Inc is “Oncolytic Virus research and development headed by Dr. Hao Yu.”

As for BioFlorida, they are a nationwide association that supports the development and growth of the state’s life sciences industry. They have seven regional chapters that are volunteer-led. There are five levels of membership, including Standard, Preferred, Leadership, Chairman’s Circle and Premium Circle. Leadership level members include Johnson & Johnson, Florida Hospital and Butler Snow. A few companies that have the Preferred level of membership are Mayo Clinic, Jupiter Medical Center Inc., and Business Wire.

Dr. Thomas O’Neal, who is the executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, says he wants to turn Central Florida into a destination for medical research. When people graduate college, he wants them to be able to already have opportunities here rather than going somewhere else. “We want things to come out and grow here and we reap the economic benefit of it,” says O’Neal. He also adds that UCF has been working with BioFlorida for 20 years, and he will expand the incubator once there is a need to do so.

Amy Backer, who is a business chair for the Central Florida chapter of BioFlorida, adds to O’Neal’s point by saying, “It [BioFlorida’s relationships with companies] means prosperity, economic growth. We want to be known as a hub for life science so that we can attract people here. It’s not just a benefit for the community but for Central Florida as a whole, and that shapes the future.” Backer continues to say that BioFlorida is a nonprofit organization and that it brings everyone together. Based on their plans, Orlando will surely be a thriving place for the life sciences industry in the future.

To learn more about BioFlorida, visit www.bioflorida.com. For updates on the UCF Life Sciences Incubator in Lake Nona, visit incubator.ucf.edu./lifesciences/.