State gives money to develop USF inventions

Posted Oct 1, 2010 by Lindsay Peterson

Updated Oct 3, 2010 at 04:31 PM

USF inventors are getting $400,000 from the state to develop a beach-going wheelchair, a more comfortable speculum and a diet product that could make you both skinny and healthy.

Now this is science in the public interest.

The money is part of $2 million appropriated by the state Legislature this year for “research commercialization.”

Researchers associated with the state universities submitted 45 proposals for the money and judges picked 21.

“This is an exciting day for the dedicated researchers, faculty members and students who work so hard conducting lab work,” said Ann Duncan in a university Board of Governors’ news release explaining how the winners were chosen.

Duncan is Board of Governors member from Tampa.

Here are the winners associated with USF:

- Natura Therapeutics, Inc. will get $65,000 to develop a product called NutraStem Slim, a mix of products to promote healthy cell development and weight loss.

- MDI Partners will get $185,000 to develop a product called ClearSpec, a speculum cover designed to make pelvic exams more comfortable.

- Rehab Ideas, Inc. will get $150,000 for its off-road wheelchair called the Mobili-T-Rover.

Mobili-T-Rover

Here’s a list of every winning proposal.

The bill that allocated the $2 million originated with state Rep. Will Weatherford, a Republican from Wesley Chapel, and state Sen. Don Gaetz, a Republican from Niceville.