08/04/04

UMBC's Technology Startup Company

Aurora Analytics, LLC

BALTIMORE , MD ( August 4, 2004 ) – The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is playing a major role in the formation of technology company Aurora Analytics, LLC. Aurora is focused on the development and manufacture of innovative consumer and research diagnostic products based on proprietary technology. One area of focus for Aurora is the low-cost, on-site, and rapid detection of spoilage in seafood.

Aurora marks UMBC's first company in which the University plays a hands-on role. Previous startups, such as Fluorometrix and Scientific Products and Systems (SP&S TM ), utilize UMBC licenses for their core technologies. “Part of UMBC's mission is to promote economic development, we are committed to starting companies around university technologies and helping them to be successful,” says Stephen Auvil, Director of UMBC's Office of Technology Development.

The techcenter@UMBC accommodates Aurora, SP&S TM and Fluorometrix in its incubator program. UMBC's technology incubator, founded in 1989, was expanded in 1996 when UMBC purchased the 30-acre five-building Lockheed Martin Research Lab facility site and renamed it techcenter@UMBC. “The combination of UMBC's research strengths and entrepreneurial spirit have produced a promising startup that we are delighted to welcome into a thriving community of over 30 companies,” says Ellen Hemmerly, Executive Director of UMBC Research Park Corporation.

Aurora is led by Dr. Aris Kalivretenos and Prof. Bill LaCourse (Department of Chemistry, UMBC). Aurora is also working with Columbia Technologies, a techcenter@UMBC environmental technology and data processing incubator company, providing analytical contract work.

About UMBC's Office of Technology Development: UMBC ranks in the top tier among the nation's research universities by the Carnegie Foundation. UMBC's Office of Technology Development (OTD) receives 25-30 invention disclosures and files an average of 10 utility patent applications per year. In FY 2004 licensing revenue hit an all-time high of $100K+. UMBC averages 3-4 licenses per year and has been granted an average of 6 patents per year over the last 5 years. For more information contact Stephen Auvil at 410-455-3481.