Central Michigan University

New biomedical firm headquartered at CMU Research Corp.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Topics in this story: CMU-RC, Science, Science and technology

A biomedical start-up company has joined Central Michigan University Research Corp. in the Mount Pleasant SmartZone. Bauer BioMedical LLC, a firm developing an early detection method for cancer, is the newest high-tech tenant to locate its corporate headquarters in one of the facility's laboratories.

Bauer BioMedical is involved in the study and commercialization of diagnostic technology developed by its founder, A. Robert Bauer Jr. A former surgeon in the Mount Pleasant area, Bauer has researched genetic translational medicine and has completed an initial pilot study on pancreatic cancer.

The firm will offer earlier diagnosis of various types of cancer through the evaluation of blood samples. Bauer BioMedical uses microarray scanners to analyze gene expression patterns in a person's DNA, which can reveal early development of the disease by measuring the reaction of the body's immune system.

The patented Bauer Method has the potential to greatly improve survival rates through early detection and accurate diagnosis. This is particularly true of diseases like pancreatic cancer that rapidly progress and are difficult to detect in the early stages. Pancreatic cancer claims more than 33,000 lives each year in the United States, and more than 37,000 new cases appear annually.

The method's feasibility has been successfully demonstrated in a recent study. Continued studies will further streamline the process for commercial use and distribution. With patents pending in the U.S. and Europe, the company anticipates a vast worldwide market for its testing method.

CMU faculty will collaborate with Bauer on the development of a biomedical and biotechnical university program. Both the university and the region could benefit through the use of shared resources and the generation of new jobs in biotechnology.

Nathan Long, president and chief executive officer of CMU-RC, has facilitated the arrangement with Bauer BioMedical. "I am excited about their prospects," Long said. "Bauer himself is a driven company founder, and he has a good team and a good idea. That is the type of company that succeeds in the start-up arena."

Bauer BioMedical's team includes former CMU student and entrepreneur James M. Herronen and chief scientific officer Cynthia A. Kruske-Jordan, DVM. A managing member of the company, Herronen was instrumental in persuading Bauer BioMedical to locate in Michigan. Kruske-Jordan will lead a group of research scientists who will validate Bauer's initial pilot study and apply the Bauer Method to other types of cancers in both humans and animals.

The Central Michigan University Research Corp. is a not-for-profit organization established to facilitate innovative research and development opportunities between the university and high-technology companies.