— This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Ramani Ramchandran, a Medical College of Wisconsin researcher and president and founder of CIAN, Inc.
Ramchandran, a developmental vascular biologist with MCW, discusses his work studying blood vessels in the brain and how it led to the formation of the startup. That research has focused on tiny hairlike structures called cilia that are found on cells, including those that play a role in blood vessel function.
“We have found that these structures fall off the blood vessel when the blood flow is altered,” Ramchandran said. “So we thought, if the blood flow is altered and this thing falls off, can we detect the cilia and the proteins inside these structures in blood? And we were able to do that.”
This idea of using cilia as a biomarker or warning sign for altered blood flow was critical to the formation of CIAN, which stands for cilia analysis. The business is now in the early stages of product development, and is working toward using these biomarkers for a testing kit.
“We are looking for space to house the company, and we have applied for funding at the national level to sort of generate the resources needed to get the product development up and running,” he said.
Given the potential applications of these kits in brain injury care, they could be used for military applications as well as by civilians, including pediatric and adult patients.
Test development will be conducted at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Ramchandran said, giving company leaders a better idea of what the kits can do.
“So we will be essentially developing it for level one trauma centers in the United States right now, and then move from Milwaukee to the Midwest region trauma centers,” he said. “That’s our initial goal, and then move to other markets after that.”
Listen to the podcast here: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/wisbusiness-the-podcast-with-ramani-ramchandran-cian-inc/
See the full list of WisBusiness.com podcasts: https://www.wisbusiness.com/category/podcast/
— In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Asian Insiders Partner Primadi Soerjosoemanto shares insights on business opportunities in Indonesia.
As the world’s fourth most populous country, Indonesia has a growing economy that’s attracting investment from many global companies, Soerjosoemanto explained.
He said policies advanced by the country’s government have drawn investment from around the world. As examples, he pointed to a recent law that allows more foreigners to work and live in Indonesia, as well as a new work permit for entrepreneurs.
“For the past 10 years, the development is growing and you know, it’s easier to do business now,” he said.
Soerjosoemanto said opportunities abound for U.S. companies looking to reach Indonesian markets, noting the country already imports soybeans and milk from the United States. He added more high-value goods are being manufactured in Indonesia as part of international supply chains.
Watch the interview here: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/talking-trade-with-primadi-soerjosoemanto-asian-insiders/
“Talking Trade” is now available in audio form on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Subscribe and find more episodes here: https://www.wisbusiness.com/category/talking-trade/
— The Assembly State Affairs Committee has approved a pair of amendments to the Brewers stadium maintenance funding deal that cuts the local contribution to $135 million.
The original bill set the local contribution at $202.5 million. The city and county now would each pay $67.5 million over 27 years.
Speaker Robin Vos ahead of the 13-1 vote said the Assembly will take up the deal for a floor vote “hopefully next week Tuesday.”
The bill is designed to keep the team in Wisconsin through 2050.
Dem Rep. Francesca Hong, of Madison, was the only vote against the bills. She said her votes aren’t against having a public-private deal with the Brewers but rather to advocate for a better deal that gives taxpayers a better return.
“I do believe that the false expediency of this deal has created a place where we are forced to choose between some false choices,” she said. “And I think that this deal can absolutely still be improved.”
See more at WisPolitics: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/thu-pm-update-vos-says-protasiewicz-impeachment-still-an-option-as-supreme-court-prepares-to-hear-redistricting-issues/
— Senate Universities and Revenue Chair Rob Hutton criticized the UW System for spending $480,000 to rebrand itself as the “Universities of Wisconsin.”
“It is unfortunate that the UW System chose to be distracted and spent half a million dollars on style over substance. It certainly is discordant with the System’s narrative that they are starved for cash,” the Brookfield Republican said.
UW System President Jay Rothman announced the rebrand earlier this week, saying in a statement it would help Wisconsin “win the War for Talent.”
Rothman has pushed for more state support for the 13 universities after a $32 million cut to their budget amid GOP criticism of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. UW-Parkside and Platteville are weighing furloughs amid budget deficits and declining enrollment, while UW-Oshkosh has plans to lay off at least 200 employees.
See Hutton’s statement:
— The top four finalists in this year’s Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest include manufacturers of water dispensers, bacon, snowblowers and work boots.
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce this week announced the products that made it through two head-to-head matchups in the Manufacturing Madness competition bracket. More than 100 products were nominated for this year’s contest.
Finalists include: Neenah-based Plexus Corp., nominated for its Bevi bottleless water dispenser; Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats of Wittenberg, for its applewood smoked bacon; Ariens Co. of Brillion for its 90th anniversary Sno-Thro machine; and Thorogood of Merrill, for its American Heritage work boot.
The final voting round runs through Thursday, when the winner will be announced at WMC’s Business Day in Madison event.
See more details in the release: https://www.wmc.org/press-releases/top-4-finalists-announced-in-coolest-thing-made-in-wisconsin-contest/
— An updated version of the state’s prescription drug monitoring system is launching this weekend, with a new website and user interface.
The Department of Safety and Professional Services yesterday announced a Sunday launch of the new version of the Wisconsin Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, following a three-year effort to improve the service. That process included getting input from pharmacies, health care providers, law enforcement and others, the release shows.
“The result is a tool that works better for users and still provides a tremendous benefit for the people of Wisconsin,” DSPS Secretary Dan Hereth said in a statement.
The agency says the new ePDMP system will process data and provide information more quickly, among other changes. Along with faster loading times for “key web pages,” submitted records will be processed immediately, and patient reports will be updated “as close to real time as possible,” according to the release.
The system is used by health care providers when prescribing and dispensing medications, DSPS says, and is meant to address prescription drug abuse in the state.
See the release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/wisconsin-department-of-safety-and-professional-services-announces-improvements-to-prescription-drug-monitoring-program/
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#TOP STORIES#
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