Industry and academic partnerships can drive Indiana’s economy by establishing Indiana as a place for innovation.
Bloomington, Ind., January 16, 2009 - Dr. France A. Córdova, president of Purdue University, praised Cook Medical for its continued support and partnership on Wednesday at Cook’s world headquarters in Bloomington.
Córdova, an internationally recognized astrophysicist, emphasized the importance of industry and academic partnerships, like the Indiana Innovation Alliance (IIA), to continue growth in the biosciences arena. Despite recent government cutbacks, IIA strives to make Indiana a hotspot for life sciences and biosciences research by partnering with health and life sciences organizations, Indiana University, Purdue University and the state government.
“Collaboration is the best way to get optimum results,” said Córdova. “Bill Cook gave us inspiration for success by working in tandem with doctors and researchers to create new and innovative medical devices.”
Cook and Purdue University’s relationship includes the development of both MED Institute and Cook Biotech located in West Lafayette, Ind. MED Institute was established to identify and develop new medical product concepts. In collaboration with research, engineering, legal and technical consultants, its work has enhanced Cook’s interface with the Food and Drug Administration as well as other regulatory governing bodies around the world.
Along with Purdue University researchers, Cook Biotech has developed a line of products that can remodel native tissues using a revolutionary biomaterial made from porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS). In the U.S. the Surgisis Biodesign product line has FDA clearances for use in hernia repair, fistula repair, plastic and reconstructive/ENT, staple line reinforcement, Peyronie’s disease repair, continence restoration, dural repair and pelvic floor repair.
“Our partnership with Purdue University is essential to the success and growth of Cook and Indiana’s workforce,” said Kem Hawkins, president of Cook Medical. “In today’s economy, industry and university partnerships are necessary to create the innovation needed to move Indiana forward.”
According to Córdova, there are over 4,000 universities in the United States and only 60 are considered research institutions. Indiana University and Purdue University, both research institutions, can benefit from industry collaboration thus adding tremendous value to the state by developing major medical breakthroughs and job growth.
“Higher education can’t be considered just a cost but an investment,” Córdova said. “For every dollar invested in Purdue University, there is a $9 positive impact on Indiana’s economy. All universities give back in enormous ways.”
MED Institute and Cook Biotech have been longtime residents and supporters of the Purdue Research Park, a national and international award-winning research center.
About Cook Medical
Cook Medical was one of the first companies to help popularize interventional medicine, pioneering many of the devices now commonly used worldwide to perform minimally invasive medical procedures. Today, the company integrates minimally invasive medical device design, biopharma, gene and cell therapy and biotech to enhance patient safety and improve clinical outcomes in the fields of aortic intervention; interventional cardiology; critical care medicine; gastroenterology; radiology, peripheral vascular, bone access and oncology; surgery and soft tissue repair; urology; and assisted reproductive technology, gynecology and high-risk obstetrics. Founded in 1963 and operated as a family-held private corporation, Cook is a past winner of the prestigious Medical Device Manufacturer of the Year Award from Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine. For more information, visit www.cookmedical.com
Media Contact:
Marsha Dawes
Cook Medical, Public Relations Coordinator
812-339-2235, ext. 2750
marsha.dawes@cookmedical.com
