NuPotential Opens Laboratory at LETC

(May 8, 2006)...NuPotential LLC, a Louisiana company developing advancing cell therapy technologies, has become the latest tenant to locate a laboratory in the recently completed Louisiana Emerging Technology Center (LETC) on the LSU campus.

NuPotential develops technologies that enable cell therapy researchers to more quickly and precisely develop new regenerative medicines for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, severe burns, and others.  Because NuPotential offers products and services for the biomedical and biotechnology markets, it is particularly well suited for location in the wet lab incubator.

The Louisiana Emerging Technology Center (LETC) nurtures start-up companies focused on life sciences research and production and was designed for companies requiring wet lab facilities.  Its mission particularly addresses technologies developed in one of the six state-wide Louisiana State University research facilities.

 NuPotential’s products have evolved from its recent discovery of a new, patent-pending approach for a process called “cell reprogramming”.  This discovery was made by co-founder Dr. Kenneth Eilertsen and his NuPotential team using proceeds from nearly $1M. In highly competitive grants awarded to NuPotential from the National Institutes of Health.  Dr. Eilertsen also holds an appointment with the Pennington Biomedical Research Center.   

Using cell reprogramming, researchers hope to change existing cells—such as fat or skin—to become brain cells, liver cells, or other cells that can be used to treat stroke, liver failure, burns and other afflictions.  A key advantage of NuPotential’s approach over some other methods in development is that a patient’s own cells could be used for treatment, thus minimizing immune reactions.  A second advantage is that there would be a plentiful supply of cells.  

“The Louisiana Emerging Technology Center is the perfect venue for us to develop NuPotential’s technologies and establish strong marketability for our products,” said Chuck Oehler, co-founder and President of NuPotential LLC.  “Arthur Cooper and the entire LETC team worked with us every step of the way to make this move possible, and provided additional support to facilitate national and international contacts through venues such as the BIO Annual Meeting.  We had the option of locating this operation in other states, but LETC made Baton Rouge the best option.”

 “As a start-up company pursuing commercialization of its technologies, NuPotential is an ideal tenant for the LETC,” said Arthur Cooper, Executive Director of the Louisiana Emerging Technology Center.  “Research that uses the resources of a LSU research facility, funding from out-of-states sources, science that could benefit our other tenants and the biotechnology industry in the state and the nation, plus the opportunity to create additional quality jobs in the Louisiana…that’s exactly why the state has invested in this wet lab.”

NuPotential has a current team of eight, including two Ph.D. scientists.  The management team has extensive experience in biotechnology entrepreneurial settings, including business development, science operations, and other critical functions for successful start-up and early state biotech companies.  They have been successful in attracting contracts and grants, including over $3 million from the National Institutes of Health and the U. S. Department of Commerce.

 As a tenant of The Louisiana Emerging Technologies Center, NuPotential will be provided its private wet lab facility and office space, as well as access to a shared lab with basic lab equipment such as an autoclave, freezers, etc.  LETC will also provide access to business and technical assistance, funding sources, legal resources and professional consulting, plus administrative staff and services.

The Louisiana Emerging Technology Center was established and funded by the Louisiana Legislature to support the developing biotech industry in the state