Calif. team takes top prize at life sciences contest

By Max Showalter, Journal and Courier

Eight startup companies, with products in various stages of development within the biosciences industry, competed for funding and recognition Wednesday at Purdue University.

And the team that came from farthest away took first-place honors, and $50,000 in cash, during the second annual Purdue University Life Sciences Business Plan Competition.

FFA Sciences, from San Diego State University, also qualifies for $10,000 worth of in-kind legal and financial services.

The company has developed a way to test blood for free fatty acids that clog human arteries and cause cardiovascular ischemia, which is the largest cause of death in developed countries.

"Like last year, the finalists all have great technologies," said Don Blewett, associate director of Purdue's Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship. "The difference this year is we have better, more focused business plans for taking the technologies to the marketplace."

A total of $147,000 was at stake in the competition that drew three entries with Purdue connections and other companies from colleges and universities located in California, Utah, New York, Georgia and

Paul Shepson, Head
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