Tech stars: Mira Awards recognize innovators who are putting technology to work in Indiana.

• Author: Hromadka, Erik
• Position: CS-Keys - Patronpath - Cover story

IDENTIFYING CANCER cells more accurately, managing parking systems and placing take-out restaurant orders from cell phone are among the innovative ways that Indiana companies are using technology to create new opportunities in the state.

A record 79 companies from across the state were nominated for the annual Mira awards that are named for "the wonderful star," a pulsating red giant whose brightness can change dramatically. The awards are presented by TechPoint, Indiana's technology association of public and private companies, colleges and research universities and local economic development organizations.

"The Mira Awards provide an opportunity to showcase the business breakthroughs and technological innovations that are putting Indiana on the map as an emerging tech center," says TechPoint president and CEO Jim Jay.

Here are the 2008 winners:

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

CS-Keys, Indianapolis

What if you could find the key to identify cancer-specific ceils? That's the question that Indianapolis-based CS-Keys is hoping to answer with its new technology that was recognized as the innovation of the year at the 2008 Mira awards.

Co-founder Linda Malkas, who lost her father to cancer, has devoted her professional life to learning how to fight the disease. Following her tenure at universities on the East Coast, she came to Indiana University in 1992 and served as the Vera Bradley Chair for Oncology Today Malkas is recognized internationally for her research on the molecular biology of breast cancer.

"I became interested in how cells divide," she says, noting that cancer ceils maintain the ability to survive the body's natural defenses and reproduce in large numbers. Her work led to the discovery of a new biomarker and has resulted in a patented antibody that the company hopes will allow earlier and more accurate identification of cancerous cells.

CS-Keys was founded in 2006 by Malkas, with fellow doctors and researchers Robert Hickey, Lauren Schnaper and Derek Hoelz. Claire Deselle joined the company as president and CEO, bringing experience in life sciences consulting and management from 14 years at Eli Lilly and Company.

The company's first product is caPCNA Key Stain[TM], an immunohistochemistry stain to be used as an aid to pathologists in examining tissue biopsies where cancer is suspected. In layman's terms, that means the test can help to identify specific cancer cells and make them appear brown instead of blue when viewed under a microscope.

The privately held company, which has raised $7.5 million to date, plans to launch several other diagnostic tests based on its technology and anticipates they will be helpful in identifying breast, ovarian, esophageal, prostate and other types of cancer cells.

As a small company located near the Indianapolis International Airport, Deselle says CS-Keys is a good example of how innovative life sciences ideas can grow in the state. "I think Indiana is really primed for innovation," she says. "This is the time and the place.

Finalists in the Innovation of the Year category included ChaCha, Comfort Motions Technologies, EnterDel and Moerae Matrix.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMPANY

T2 Systems, Indianapolis

While most people don't think about technology while they are looking for a parking space, Indianapolis-based T2 Systems has grown to more than 100 employees by understanding the importance of managing the data of parking systems.

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Founded in 1994, the company serves more than 300 organizations in the United States and Canada, providing a variety of parking management technologies for towns, universities, hospitals and airports.

"Today's parkers are becoming more sophisticated and want more efficient ways to reserve, pay and manage their parking," explains...