NA - Establishment and participation of the R&D-program: Bug to Drug

PubGene was established in August 2001 by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway), and the Norwegian Radium Hospital (Norway). During 2002-2004, the core organization was built up both in USA and Norway covering all majo r roles in the company. PubGene provides software and intelligent data mining and mapping products to extract relevant knowledge from large biological databases on genes, proteins and medical data. PubGene is seeking research partners in the US for furth er development of its technology and products. We have explored and identified a need for the PubGene technology within the field of bio-defense. Due to the nature of the bio-terrorism threat, the necessity in gathering biological knowledge for any potent ial pathogenic agent needs to be pursued vigorously and timely. The text mining algorithms of PubGene can be customized to identify pathogens that could be considered as potential candidates for bioterrorism agents by mining various facets of pathogenicit y, lethality, survivability and transmissibility and many other traits of pathogenic organisms in diverse text sources. PubGene has already teamed up with one potential partner BioRosettex, who is in charge of a large research consortia consisting of ap proximately 100 international research partners on the biotechnology arena, to target the call: ?2006 Medical Science and Technology (S&T) Chemical and Biological Defense Transformational Medical Technologies Initiative (TMTI)? issued from the Defense Thr eat Reduction Agency, United States of America. We apply NFR for funding in order to be able to take part in the application and establishment process of this comprehensive project. The full project has a financial frame of approximately 1.6 billion USD over a five years period. PubGene sees the project as a unique and challenging opportunity for strengthening its technology and broadening the field of applicability generating new business venues.