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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 3, 2011                                                                                                      

How Innovation Drives Growth was Focus for Innovate Buffalo Niagara 

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Buffalo Niagara Partnership and KPMG LLP presented INNOVATE Buffalo Niagara, a program celebrating leaders in Buffalo Niagara’s new economy, at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo on May 3. Morning educational seminars were followed by the annual awards presentation during lunch.

The morning program consisted of two concurrent breakout sessions followed by a general plenary session. Session #1, Innovation in Your Markets featured a discussion on expansion of your existing work into new markets, as well as the resources available here in the Buffalo Niagara region to tap into global markets.  Session #2, Innovation in Product Development, featured a discussion on how a company uses both innovation and implementation to differentiate itself, create a competitive advantage and grow. The plenary session’s panel discussion, Creating an Innovation Based Economy, was led by Jumpstart Inc.’s CEO Ray Leach. Jumpstart is a model for economic development and now an integral part of our region’s strategy for driving an innovation-based economy.

The Target Sector Awards were presented to two outstanding innovative companies representing the region’s target industry sectors. The winners in this category were: Cleveland Biolabs, Inc. for their project on

CBLB502 and Power Drives, Inc. for their PowerHouse Diesel Warming System, with Liazon Corporation winning the One to Watch award for their Bright Choices benefits program. 

Cleveland Biolab’s CBLB502 is a bio-engineered derivative of a microbial protein that selectively protects healthy tissues in multiple models of radio- and chemotherapeutic treatment of cancer. Its main purpose is to improve the quality of life and therapeutic outcomes for cancer patients undergoing radio or chemotherapy. In its initial use, CBLB502’s purpose is to save lives from lethal radiation exposure from terrorist attack or nuclear accident.

Power Drives patented PowerHouse diesel warming system (DWS) keeps the coolant warm on idling locomotive engines in order to prevent engine block freeze ups and cracking. When locomotives idle, they can burn 4-6 gallons of fuel per hour, emit exhaust and create noise. The PowerHouse heaters consume only .35-1 gallons of fuel per hour saving creating a cost savings of roughly $1,300 per week.

Liazon’s Bright Choices® online benefits store lets employees shop for the benefits they need and want. This innovative retail model for employee benefits lets employers fix their overall benefits spend, reduces benefits costs, and improves employees’ job satisfaction.

Other finalists in this category were: Kinex Pharmaceuticals, LLC; Empire Genomics, LLC; Freed Maxick & Battaglia, CPAs, PC; Life Technologies; Sonwil Distribution Center, Inc.; The Mentholatum Company and Yahoo, Inc. 

The Entrepreneur Award recognized innovative new businesses established for no more than 5 years. PURE Solutions NA, LLC won the award in this category for their PURE Room project, which removes up to 99% of pollutants from the air, letting hotel guests breathe easy, while also protecting them from irritants such as mold, viruses, bacteria, pollen, and yeast. Niagara Dispensing Technologies, Inc. and You and Who were the other finalists in this category.

The Leadership Award recognized outstanding leaders in the public or private sector who are advancing innovation/sustainability in the community. James Kaskie, President & CEO of Kaleida Health, received this award for his efforts to rebuild Kaleida Health’s business, improve physician relations, increase market share, and expand employee engagement. In addition, serving as CEO of Great Lakes Health, Kaskie was instrumental in the integration efforts of Kaleida Health and the Erie County Medical Center. Other finalists in this category were the Hyatt Regency Buffalo Hotel and VSP Marketing Graphic Group, Inc.

The Collaboration Award recognizes significant partnerships formed to support innovation and/or sustainability and the results achieved by working together.  The winner in this category, HEALTHeLINK, is recognized nationally and across New York State as a leader in health information technology and has become a model of excellence regarding the nationwide effort to digitize health records. The other finalists in this category were BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and the Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA). 

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ABOUT THE BUFFALO NIAGARA PARTNERSHIP

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership includes nearly 2,500 employer members, working for improved business competitiveness and expanded economic activity in the region.  The Partnership advocates, locally, and in Albany, and Washington, D.C., for policies and resources to increase private sector investment and jobs. The Partnership also offers programs and services to its members to increase their chances for business success.