Startup Company Highlights
A few of the ventures fostered under NISTAC's programs are as follows:
NutriJoy, Inc. was founded in 2000 to commercialize nutritious foods and beverages based upon licensed technologies derived from research within Kansas State University or acquired by NISTAC from corporations. This startup company's mission is to deliver "Nutrition to Enjoy" ™, which means nutritious products that primarily are consumed for enjoyment.
In 2002, NutriJoy introduced Cal-C®, a line of calcium fortified beverages, into the Manhattan regional market, and later expanded the line across selected channels through the nation. The product was based upon technologies acquired by NISTAC via donation from The Procter and Gamble Company (P&G). That technology, known as "Protein Particle Stabilization" enables the production of consumer preferred, shelf stable beverages and other products that combine milk and fruit juice. With PPS combined with a proprietary and more nutritional form of calcium supplementation, known as CCM, Cal-C® appears to be a winning product with huge market potential.
In late 2004, NutriJoy began limited test marketing of GoodBites™, a line of nutritious filled crackers, based upon a second technology donation from P&G. Initial, albeit very, very early response has been quite positive.
NanoScale Materials, Inc. was founded in 1995 to commercialize nanotechnologies derived from research at Kansas State University and licensed from the KSU Research Foundation. NISTAC also acquired a technology donation for licensing to NanoScale to enable it to progress certain products from laboratory to commercial scales of production. The products involve the use of non-toxic nanoparticles to neutralize highly toxic substances, as demonstrated in its line of FAST-ACT™ products market introduced in late 2003. These products enable first responders to detoxify the kind of chemical spills they frequently encounter, while also providing a first, effective line of defense against highly toxic materials, such as nerve gas and other chemical warfare agents. The technologies also can be used to address a wide range of market needs from removing cigarette smoke from room air to removing sulfur from natural gas.
In 2002, NanoScale became the anchor tenant in a new K-State Research Park, when it graduated from NISTAC's incubator, the Kansas Entrepreneurial Center, and moved into its own building.
AgRenew, Inc. was founded to commercialize certain K-State technologies licensed from the Research Foundation. The technologies involve use of agricultural byproducts and wastes to create value-added, non-food products via fermentation and other processes. The company's first line of products, E-Cones™, are edible nutrient lick barrels for cattle, and made from wheat straw with soybean adhesives. The company's pilot plant is producing relatively large quantities of these barrels for field testing across the nation.
Nacelle Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 2000 to commercially develop licensed K-State technologies that exploit the self-assembling properties of small peptides in membrane environments. These new structures offer the potential to enhance drug delivery across barrier membranes as well as treat certain human ailments such as cystic fibrosis and bacterial infections. In collaboration with researchers at both K-State and elsewhere, the company is investigating new clinical and environmental applications. Nacelle Therapeutics, Inc. has received three Phase I SBIR grant awards from the National Institutes of Health.
Many other ventures are in various stages of development and/or exploration based upon the licensing of K-State and NISTAC technologies.