Northwest Ohio venture and business development group Rocket Ventures is looking to invest about $8 million in early stage companies this year. The majority of those investment dollars are expected to go to startups in two industries — bioscience and alternative energy.

The University of Toledo and ProMedica Health System have forged a partnership in which the university will oversee and manage all academic endeavors across the health system.The two organizations will collaborate on research and residency programs, according to a joint statement. The University will also provide administrative assistance in helping facilitate clinical research conducted [...]

Updated 8:40 p.m.X-spine Systems Inc., a maker of implants and instruments for spinal surgery, has agreed to an exclusive license with Gamma Spine to develop and distribute the minimally invasive spinal fixation technology invented by a professor of orthopedic bioengineering at the University of Toledo.The license spins out of the university the “interbody cage,” co-invented [...]

Gov. Ted Strickland and Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut donned their high-tech marketing hats Friday, touting the state’s leadership in biomedical and health care innovation by announcing centers of excellence at 14 universities.

The two devices are the first of three projects in the pipeline for Enhanced, which was started in 2005 through a $1.2 million grant from the Ohio’s Third Frontier program.