Elk Run BioBusiness Park

presented by
News

2011 predictions on biotech from Steven Burrill

As you've probably read, Steven Burrill's predictions regarding the biotech industry go over at MedCity News the way former Detroit Lions President Matt Millen's football forecasts go over in Michigan. Nonetheless, it's notable when the renowned biotech specialist, venture capitalist, author and keynote speaker offers his thoughts on currents events in life sciences and the future of the industry next year (even if it is to promote his upcoming book: Biotech 2011-Life Sciences: Looking Back to See Ahead).

Policy

Elk Run developer CEO gets medieval on MedCity News

When you're the president and CEO of a major national real estate development firm, it's best to develop a thick skin. It's also probably not a good idea to post public comments to a news website when you're pissed off at 1 o'clock in the morning. Yet that's exactly what Steve Marks, CEO of Tower Investments in California did upon reading my story Tuesday on the troubled Elk Run BioBusiness Park his company is developing in Pine Island, Minnesota.

News

Will God save the Elk Run BioBusiness Park project in Minnesota?

"There are two things that we know about the universe," Abraham Algadi said. "We can only control the things we can control. The rest, we leave to a higher power." Algadi is not a priest or philosopher, at least professionally. Algadi, the city administrator for Pine Island, Minnesota, was referring to the fate of the much maligned, often delayed Elk Run BioBusiness Park.

Policy

RIP Minnesota House Biosciences Committee

The incoming Republican leadership in the Minnesota state legislature already is making good on its promises to streamline government. Last month, GOP officials unveiled a significantly slimmer committees structure, designed to eliminate redundancy and speed the notoriously slow business of making policy and passing laws. One casualty of the slimmer structure will be The House Committee on Biosciences and Workforce Development.

MedCity Influencers

Burrill & Co., Infinity Group to invest in China

Burrill & Co. and the Infinity Group are joining forces to pursue investments in Chinese life science companies. San Francisco-based Burrill, a venture capital/private equity player that's also trying to launch a $1 billion investment fund in Minnesota, and Israel- and China-based Infinity will co-invest in U.S. dollars and Chinese renminbi as equal partners, according to a press release.

Devices & Diagnostics

Coordinate Capital mum on Minnesota biotech fund

Steve Burrill may have trouble keeping quiet about the proposed $1 billion fund to back the Elk Run BioBusiness Park, but at least one Burrill-related fund in Minnesota has largely remained silent on its plans. Coordinate Capital LLC has been trying to raise a $25 million local fund to invest in biomass, energy and life science startups. Ten months later, CEO and managing partner Andrew Pulkrabek has stuck to its guns -- by not saying anything. Which is not necessarily a bad thing.

News

With foreign fund, Burrill says $1B Elk Run fund at ‘goal line’

The man responsible for finding cash to support the Elk Run BioBusiness Park says he's in final negotiations with a foreign investor for the long-promised $1 billion investment fund. In an interview with MedCity News, Steven Burrill says he is working out the details of a limited partnership agreement with a sovereign wealth fund. He hopes to close the deal by the end of the month.

News

Burrill to start angel investment fund in northern Wisconsin

Steve Burrill is searching for money, this time among rich vacation-goers in northern Wisconsin. The San Francisco-based biotech investor who is trying to create a $250 million investment fund to back the Elk Run BioBusiness Park in Pine Island, Minnesota, also is forming a new angel investment group in the Badger State. Burrill is joining forces with former Wisconsin commerce secretary Dick Leinenkugel to target wealthy individuals and families inhabiting vacation homes in the well-to-do resort area of Vilas County in northern Wisconsin.