SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- InCube Labs, a life sciences research lab focused on developing and commercializing medical breakthroughs, today announced it has entered into an agreement with the Engineering Research Center for Revolutionizing Metallic Biomaterials (ERC-RMB). 

The ERC-RMB is funded by the National Science Foundation and led by North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro (N.C. A&T) in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), the University of Cincinnati, and Hannover Medical School in Germany. Its mission is to develop and commercialize novel bioresorbable metal alloys that have potential applications in implantable medical devices.  As part of this collaboration, InCube Labs has entered into an agreement to evaluate potential clinical utility of the novel biomaterials being developed at the ERC-RMB.

"The mission of the ERC-RMB is to create next-generation, revolutionary biological metallic interface materials for engineered systems implanted in the human body. Our team of innovative engineers has made strong progress in advancing our bioresorbable metals technologies, and we have been testing their use in clinically relevant device prototypes," said Dr. Jag Sankar, ERC Director and Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering at N.C. A&T. 

Sankar continued, "Our next step now is to work with industry to bring these innovations to market and to patients. InCube Labs has a tremendous track record of success in developing and commercializing breakthrough technologies, and we are thrilled with this relationship with InCube to advance our novel biomaterials to the next phase of development." 

"The University of Pittsburgh is deeply committed to bridging the gap between academia and industry to promote and commercialize new technologies," said Dr. Harvey Borovetz, Distinguished Professor and Former Chair, Department of Bioengineering at Pitt. "Our relationship and agreement with InCube will help us harness scientific discoveries and translate them into commercial products that will ultimately improve healthcare."

"Through our strategic relationship with Pitt and its Coulter Translational Research Partnership program, we became engaged with the ERC-RMB. We have been very impressed with the team, the facilities and capabilities that Dr. Sankar has assembled, and we look forward to a long term relationship that accelerates the pace of innovation, and delivers more effective solutions to patients," said Mir Imran, Chairman and CEO, InCube Labs. "We are particularly excited about evaluating the biomaterials that the ERC-RMB is pioneering for commercial applications. We believe these innovations could lead to important clinical solutions that would dramatically improve patient outcomes."

As part of InCube Labs' efforts to commercialize innovative technologies, the company has a number of relationships with premier Universities around the country. These collaborations range from evaluating intellectual property for commercial viability to training and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and scientists.

About InCube Labs

Based in San Jose and San Antonio, InCube Labs is a life sciences research lab focused on developing medical breakthroughs that dramatically improve patient outcomes. InCube is led by Mir Imran, an accomplished medical innovator, entrepreneur and venture capitalist, who has founded more than 20 life sciences companies and holds more than 200 patents. Many of Imran's innovations have resulted in new standards of care, including the first FDA-approved Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator. For more information, please go to www.incubelabs.com.

About the Engineering Research Center for Revolutionizing Metallic Biomaterials             

The ERC-RMB is conducting research in biomedical engineering and nano-bio applications. It is funded by the National Science Foundation. Its goal is to generate revolutionary advances in medicine through the development of biocompatible and biodegradable materials to be used in implants for reconstruction and regeneration. North Carolina A&T is the ERC's lead institution; partners include the University of Pittsburgh, University of Cincinnati, and Hannover Medical School in Germany. NSF Engineering Research Centers are considered landmarks in federal support for university research in partnership with industry to produce innovative technologies and significantly enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. economy. For more information, please go to erc.ncat.edu.

SOURCE InCube Labs