MADISON – Stan Rose, president and CEO of Roche NimbleGen, a manufacturer of gene chips for pharmaceutical research, will speak about successful exit strategies for start-up companies on Monday, April 28 at 5 p.m. at the Fluno Center, 601 University Avenue. The event is free and open to the public as part of the Gilson Discovery Series hosted by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF).
NimbleGen is a true Wisconsin success story, built on technology developed by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers. Roche purchased the company last summer for more than $272 million. Rose will discuss what was entailed in preparing NimbleGen to be an attractive acquisition target for one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies.
His presentation is followed by a networking reception at 6 p.m. Complimentary parking is available by contacting Devon Cournoyer at (608) 890-1621 or dcournoyer@warf.org.
Roche NimbleGen produces high-density DNA microarrays that use proprietary Maskless Array Synthesis (MAS) technology. The technology allows researchers to examine an entire genome in a single experiment. That genetic data furthers the understanding of the genetic causes of disease and its genetic predisposition factors. The microarrays are used for comparative genomic analysis and to identify potential drug targets.
The MAS technology is the result of collaborations among biotechnology, genetics, physics, and engineering researchers at the UW-Madison. Roche NimbleGen holds the exclusive worldwide license to the MAS technology from WARF.
WARF supports world-class research at UW-Madison by protecting the intellectual property of university faculty, staff and students, and licensing inventions resulting from their work. WARF was established in 1925 as the first university-based technology transfer office in the world.
In 2002, UW-Madison alumnus, faculty member and entrepreneur Warren Gilson bequeathed a generous gift to WARF to promote entrepreneurship in Wisconsin. Since 2005, WARF has hosted a series of events in his name to help connect the university with the Madison community.
