The University of Tennessee Research Foundation and Cumberland Emerging Technologies Announce Collaboration Agreement

    NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Cumberland Emerging
 Technologies, Inc. (CET) has signed a collaboration agreement with the
 University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF) to develop and
 commercialize new pharmaceutical products.
     With the shared goal of bringing early-stage research to the
 marketplace, the parties will work together to develop innovative products
 based on intellectual property emerging from University of Tennessee
 research and take them through critical phases of development and
 regulatory approval. The university and CET will pursue grant funding for
 these projects through federal programs like Small Business Technology
 Transfer and Small Business Innovation Research.
     "We are delighted to join forces with CET to further the important work
 being initiated here," said Fred Tompkins, UTRF president. "They share our
 dedication to progressing important research into new medicines and
 creating economic opportunities for the region. Together with CET's
 development expertise and infrastructure support, we believe we will be
 successful in bringing promising new products to the market."
     "Partnering with respected academic research programs like the
 University of Tennessee Research Foundation is a key element of CET's
 strategy," said A.J. Kazimi, chief executive officer of Cumberland
 Pharmaceuticals and CET. "In addition to developing potentially life saving
 medicines and technologies, this alliance provides a strong foundation for
 moving our state's biopharmaceutical industry forward."
     The University of Tennessee Research Foundation is a not-for-profit
 corporation dedicated to promoting and managing research and technology
 commercialization throughout the statewide university. The foundation seeks
 to minimize bureaucracy, promote entrepreneurial spirit, and grow
 Tennessee's economy by supporting development and dissemination of
 intellectual property and helping create technology-related businesses.
     Cumberland Emerging Technologies, Inc. is a joint initiative between
 Vanderbilt University, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. and the Tennessee
 Technology Development Corporation. The mission of CET (www.cet-fund.com)
 is to bring biomedical technologies and products conceived at regional
 research centers to the commercial marketplace. CET helps manage the
 development and commercialization process for select projects and provides
 expertise on intellectual property, regulatory, manufacturing and marketing
 issues that are critical to successful new biomedical products. CET's Life
 Sciences Center, located in Nashville, Tennessee, provides laboratory
 space, equipment and infrastructure to early-stage life sciences companies.
 
 

SOURCE Cumberland Emerging Technologies, Inc.