ADVISORY

Drs. Joseph DeSimone and Holden Thorp, both professors of chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, are available for reporters who want to localize a new report being released today (Feb. 28) that praises UNC-CH’s role in spurring the state’s economic development.

The report, released by the Southern Growth Policies Board’s Southern Technology Council, examines how national research universities help state and local agencies with economic development. UNC-CH was among 16 universities that a panel of experts listed as the best in the nation in contributing to state and local economic development.

Information about the report is available from the Southern Growth Policies Board. Contact Mark Tosczak, communications director, at (919) 941-5145, ext. 108, mtosczak@southern.org. A news release about the report also will be posted at www.southern.org/news.htm.

At least eight high-tech companies, based on UNC-CH inventions, employ about 120 people, according to the most recent UNC-CH statistics available. Those start-up companies include Micell Technologies, Inc., begun by DeSimone, and Xanthon Inc., started by Thorp. Seven other high-tech companies, started by UNC-CH faculty, employ an estimated 12,200 people.

In 1995, DeSimone and two of his UNC-CH students founded Micell Technologies, which commercialized a heat-free dry cleaning process that is better for the environment and easier on clothes. The company’s patented system uses detergents that dissolve in liquid carbon dioxide – the same natural substance used to carbonate soft drinks. This process eliminates the need for conventional dry cleaning solvents such as perchloroethylene (perc) and frees dry cleaners from regulatory burdens linked with such solvents. In North Carolina, Micell’s dry cleaning stores, called Hangers Cleaners, have nine locations in Wilmington, five under conversion in the Triad and one under construction in Chapel Hill, Morrisville and Wake Forest each. Development of the Hangers brand is underway in more than 20 states.

In addition, DeSimone and his students developed technology that spurred DuPont to announce plans last April to expand its Bladen County site outside of Fayetteville with construction of a $40 million Teflon development and manufacturing facility. Upon demonstration of the new technology, the company plans to build a world-scale facility representing a total $275 million investment over a seven-year period. The new technology is more efficient and flexible than current processes, company officials have said.

Thorp founded Xanthon Inc. in 1996 with Jim Skinner and Carson Loomis. Xanthon represents an effort by the university to recognize strong potential in Thorp’s invention as the basis for a new company. UNC-CH helped develop Xanthon’s business plan, negotiate a licensing agreement and select North Carolina-based investors to support the new company. Xanthon is developing a diagnostic kit for genetically detecting cancers and hundreds of different infectious agents. It is based on an invention by Thorp that represented a new method of genetic diagnostics using advanced electrochemistry to detect DNA and identify its structure. In Thorp’s technique, special compounds called mediators are used to carry electrons from DNA or RNA, another nucleic acid, to electrodes, producing an electrical signal that indicates the presence and quantity of a genetic material. Such testing is expected to be cheaper, faster and more reliable than conventional diagnostics.

Both faculty members are receptive to phone calls, e-mails or visits to campus for visuals in labs or with equipment. To reach DeSimone, call 962-2166 or desimone@email.unc.edu. Thorp can be reached at 962-0276 or holden@unc.edu.

For additional information about research at Carolina, click on http://research.unc.edu/resfacts/econ.html.

- 30 -

News Services contact: Mike McFarland, 962-8593