Doug Johnson

Digi-Key Corp. distributes electronic components. It also distributes semiconductors, discrete, electromechanical parts. Its products include audio products, batteries, cable assemblies, capacitors, computer & video accessories, connectors, crystals & oscillators, discrete semiconductor products and many more. The company was founded by Ronald A. Stordahl in 1972 and is headquartered in Thief River Falls, MN.

Orasi Medical, Inc. is a privately held, early stage medical device company engaged in the development and commercialization of technology to diagnose and monitor neurological diseases. They have developed a painless, non-invasive test that takes less than ten (10) minutes to administer and, based on the results of its current research, is more accurate than current clinical practice. Initially, its aim is to develop the first FDA cleared test for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, they are developing products for pharmaceutical companies to measure treatment effect and reduce the cost of clinical drug trials for neurological diseases. Ultimately, its long-term goal is to set the standard of care for diagnosis and monitoring of major neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, autism, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

VitalMedix, Inc., is a Minneapolis-based, development-stage company that has developed a proprietary, rapidly deployable formulation called Tamiasyn that will potentially allow the human body to endure severe blood loss for an extended period of time and also inhibit human organ damage during the resuscitation process. VitalMedix intends to market Tamiasyn in combination with a hemorrhagic shock treatment system named O2Rescue. It is hoped that this system will offer first responders, trauma center surgeons and military medics a simple, safe and reliable product for preventing serious organ damage and death among victims of severe blood loss. It is believed that Tamiasyn might also have potential applications during invasive surgery and organ preservation, and in cases of stroke. Since 2005, the research conducted by VitalMedix has been funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Much of this research has been conducted at the University of Minnesota, which is a shareholder in VitalMedix, Inc. The company now holds an exclusive, global license from the University of Minnesota for Tamiasyn. In order for human trials to begin, the Company will need to have an approved Investigational New Drug [IND] application on file with FDA. The IND provides a compilation of all R&D conducted to date including formulation development, animal pharmacology and toxicology, and supportive literature. The IND must also include a plan for intended additional animal studies and clinical trials. Typically, the time to market for a viable drug candidate is 8-10 years. However, manufacturers can request 'fast track' designation for their product and indication for use if the product offers potential as a life-saving technology superior to current therapies. If designated, FDA will work closely with the manufacturer and provide expedited review and approval times if appropriate. VitalMedix, Inc. intends to request fast track status for Tamiasyn in hemorrhagic shock.