Bio company Sharklet Technologies moves HQs to Aurora
Sharklet Technologies, Inc. announced on Aug. 16, 2010 that it has relocated its corporate headquarters from Alachua, Fla. to Aurora, Colo. The company will be housed at the Bioscience Park Center, a biotechnology incubator in the Fitzsimons Life Science District adjacent to the renowned Anschutz Medical Campus. Sharklet Technologies will situate its executive offices and main research laboratory at the Colorado facility.
Sharklet Technologies made the move to Fitzsimons after spending nearly three years at the Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator which is associated with the University of Florida Office of Research and Office of Technology Licensing. UF is the birthplace of SharkletTM, the company's core technology. The company
seized the opportunity to relocate to better align with Denver-based executives and to participate in the growing biotechnology sector in the Rocky Mountain Region.
Separately, the company announced that Mark Spiecker who was formerly COO of the company has been promoted to chief executive officer. Spiecker joined the company in 2007. Former CEO Joe Bagan will remain as chairman on the Sharklet Technologies board of directors.
"We are proud of our Florida heritage and appreciate the opportunities afforded Sharklet Technologies while at the Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator. We emerged as a company poised for growth thanks in part to the nurturing environment and leadership at that facility," said Spiecker. "As we advance Sharklet into a number of verticals and applications, we're thrilled to have access to Colorado's state-of-the-art laboratories, research opportunities and highly collaborative environment that will serve us well in taking our company and technology to the next level. We are thrilled to be part of this state's vibrant and thriving bioscience sector."
Sharklet Technologies developed and is commercializing SharkletTM, the world's first micro-pattern designed to control the growth and transfer of bacteria including Staph. a, MRSA, E. coli, and a host of others that adversely impact human health. Sharklet provides bacterial inhibition through topography alone. The pattern is free of any disinfectants, chemicals and toxins.
Sharklet has been developed into the company's first product called SharkletTM SafeTouch, an adhesive-backed disposable "skin" that is applied to high-touch bacteria-prone areas in commercial venues, laboratories and animal research facilities, healthcare/hospitals and others. The Sharklet pattern is being further developed for application to medical devices including a urinary catheter and injection molded consumer goods upon which the Sharklet pattern will provide bacterial inhibition.
"Metro Denver is committed to serving as a catalyst for innovation and technology commercialization," said Tom Clark, executive vice president of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. "Attracting a cutting-edge company like Sharklet Technologies signals that our state provides a resource-rich
environment for growth and success."
"This is the new epicenter for creative bioscience minds," said City of Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer. "We forecast that Sharklet Technologies' move will be a model for growing a young company to market success."
"It is our privilege to welcome Sharklet Technologies to Colorado and to what is rapidly becoming one of the nation's premier bioscience hubs," said Holli Baumunk, president and CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association. "Sharklet Technologies is taking a revolutionary approach with its acclaimed surface technology that seeks to improve infection prevention in healthcare. We look forward to watching this company grow and further establishing Colorado as the foremost place to cultivate a new technology."
Vicki Jenings, director of business relations for the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority echoed Baumunk's sentiments. "We're thrilled that Sharklet Technologies chose the Bioscience Park Center at Fitzsimons to nurture its technology. As the company settles into its new home, we will provide business development advisory services, administrative resources and access to a highly qualified talent pool to support Sharklet Technologies as it grows into one of our state's biotechnology leaders."