Need a Deep Web Miner to retrieve hard-to-find life sciences research? How about a cell therapy manufacturing system? A self-coiling surgical tool? Then Battelle might have the intellectual property for you.

The National Institutes of Health is launching two major research efforts — worth $72.5 million — to find ways to end the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States. Battelle’s Health and Life Sciences Global Business has won a $23 million contract to study community programs for their roles in increasing or decreasing the risk of childhood obesity. Five universities will use $49.5 million to test long-term interventions through several levels of influence.

More evidence that Minnesota has a lot of work to do in developing a viable biotech industry.From 2004 to 2009, local human biotech firms attracted only $1 million in venture capital compared to $1.2 billion for medical devices, according to a report by Battelle Memorial Institute and the Biotechnology Industry Organization.$1 million over five years! [...]

US Endoscopy, the endoscopy device design and manufacturing company in Mentor, has released the Entrada colonic overtube, which offers more control during colonoscopy in patients with tortuous sigmoid looping.

The Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center at Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business was created to assess the commercial and economic viability of technology developed at Battelle. The center, and the science and technology institute have struck a 2-year deal to work together.

Ohio and its neighboring states need a massive venture capital fund that pumps money into businesses, says a white paper, Turning up the Heat: How Venture Capital Can Help Fuel the Economic Transformation of the Great Lakes Region, released today by the Brookings Institution.

Ohio researchers take note: An experimental artificial pancreas soon will be tested in diabetes patients and could be commercially available in four years.

Neuros Medical Inc. has chosen Battelle to help develop its neurostimulation device to block chronic pain. Neuros Medical is developing a “nerve block” system that stimulates nerves to block pain.

Elyria home health care company Invacare Corp. said Tuesday it has enhanced its corporate governance framework and policies, including agreeing to declassify its board of directors.

In the last week at MedCity News: Cell Targeting in Cleveland points stem cell therapies to specific areas of the body, Cleveland insurance broker and risk manager Oswald Cos. assembles panel that says health care reforms are too close to call, and Ohio State University and Battelle try to energize joint research and economic development efforts.