OSCEOLA, WI and MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – Surpass, Inc. (“Surpass”), a recognized leader in preclinical research services, announced that it has established a Surpass Innovation Award to support Fellows at the University of Minnesota Medical Devices Center.

As a trusted partner for translational research and a leading medical device preclinical contract research organization (CRO), Surpass understands the challenges early-stage innovators face in securing the necessary funding to move their novel medical device concepts through the initial stage of the innovation cycle. Within the current environment, raising capital to support the initial phase of development can be difficult, if not impossible, causing many promising medical device technologies to not move forward. It is for this reason Surpass has established the Surpass Innovation Award, to offer medical device entrepreneurs the support and resources needed to obtain their first preclinical data – data that can be used to win investors and move these technologies forward. “We are pleased to roll out the Surpass Innovation Award to the University of Minnesota Medical Devices Center,” said Dr. Tim Pelura, President and CEO of Surpass. “The University of Minnesota and Surpass have come together in this public-private relationship to establish this award for fostering medical entrepreneurs in the greater Twin Cities area – a thriving hub for medtech innovation. By working together we can help ensure the success of both the local and greater medical innovation community and the future of innovative healthcare.” This is the third in a series of recently established Surpass Innovation Awards, but the first award for an institution in the Midwest.

“We are grateful to Surpass for this award. This collaboration marks an important step in cultivating industry and academic relationships that are vital for the health of the life science community and the well-being of the medical innovation continuum,” said Ben Arcand, PhD, Director of the Innovation Fellows Program, Medical Devices Center at the University of Minnesota.

The Surpass Innovation Award will provide select Medical Devices Center Fellows their initial preclinical proof-of-concept data. Surpass will support the Awardees through the preclinical study process, from beginning to end, and provide assistance during due diligence with investors to better the chances of moving life-saving technologies forward to the patients who need them.

About Surpass
At Surpass, our innovative approach to preclinical research goes beyond the ordinary. We’re changing the rules for a better way to get from concept to reality.

Surpass is a trusted, preclinical contract research organization (CRO) with extensive experience conducting medical device, pharmaceutical, biotech and combination product studies with specialized expertise in surgical and interventional procedures. Our testing services include early feasibility, product development, GLP, and physician/clinical training studies. At Surpass, we provide insightful solutions and support every step of the way, offering expert advice and the level of comprehensive support needed to make your study successful – the first time.

Surpass’ breadth of case experience in preclinical studies includes feasibility and safety assessments of ablation systems, vascular grafts, orthopedic prostheses, stents, closure devices, valves, infusion pumps, drug coated balloons, neurostimulators, pharmaceuticals, biologics, imaging systems, cardiac assist devices, and much more. Whether you are a startup or an established player, Surpass is uniquely qualified to make your study successful. Contact Surpass today at (715) 294-4371 (Greater Twin Cities) or (650) 938-3675 (Silicon Valley).

Visit www.surpassinc.com for more information. Connect with Surpass, Inc. on, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Google+

About the Medical Devices Center
The Medical Devices Center (MDC) at the University of Minnesota is an interdisciplinary program that sits within the Institute for Engineering in Medicine and combines basic research, applied and translational research, education and training, and outreach and public engagement all related to medical devices. The MDC brings together the University of Minnesota’s expertise from the College of Science and Engineering and the Academic Health Center (Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy).

In April 2013, the Medical Devices Center moved into its new 8,000 square foot home located in the Mayo Building on the East Bank Campus. The MDC aims to strengthen interdisciplinary research among faculty in the health sciences and engineering specifically related to medical devices. The center will help train the next generation of medical device inventors and foster new relationships with the successful Twin Cities medical device industry and various government agencies in an effort to improve health care worldwide.

One of the crown jewels of the Medical Devices Center is the Innovation Fellows Program, which began in 2008. The goal is to train the next leaders in medtech by fostering leadership and teaching risk management for medical devices. The MDC teaches the Fellows disciplined product development which includes FDA Requirements, Insurance Reimbursement, Intellectual Property and Business Strategies in addition to Creativity Techniques and Prototyping. The Innovation Fellows have been very successful, generating over 120 invention disclosures within the first five years, 4 start-up companies, 58 patent applications, 4 product licenses from 34 current and alumni Fellows.

Art Erdman, PhD is a long-time University of Minnesota mechanical engineering professor and director of the Medical Devices Center. Dr. Erdman has been a faculty member at the University since 1971, and holds more than 30 patents, many for medical devices. Dr. Erdman has collaborated with faculty in many departments within the Academic Health Center.

See www.mdc.umn.edu for more details.

About University of Minnesota
Founded in 1851, the University of Minnesota is ranked among the nation’s top public research universities. As a land-grant institution, the U of M is committed to engaging Minnesota, national and global communities to advance interdisciplinary knowledge; enhance students’ academic, civic, career, social and personal development; and apply intellectual and human capital to serve the public good.