Pre-Seed funds nurture high-tech products grown from UConn partnerships

Anatomy of the human eye. LambdaVision, created by the University of Connecticut Research and Development Corp., is developing a protein-based retinal implant intended to restore sight to patients blinded by degeneration in the outer retina. Image source: www.biologycorner.com

Legislation designed to help spur economic growth in high technology industries only became law this July, but it has already resulted in a new Connecticut medical device company receiving $40,000 in state financing to help it move a new product closer to market.

The company, LambdaVision Inc. of Farmington, was able to take advantage of the state’s Pre-Seed economic assistance program, which provides start-up companies with critical resources to turn new technology into products.

LambdaVision, created by the University of Connecticut Research and Development Corp., is developing a protein-based retinal implant intended to restore sight to patients blinded by degeneration in the outer retina.

The core technology was developed by Robert Birge, Ph.D., a UConn professor of biological and physical chemistry who, along with students in his lab, founded LambdaVision in 2009.

The Pre-Seed fund provides loans of up to $150,000 to Connecticut-based start-ups and early-stage technology companies.

Funding may be used for a wide range of startup expenses such as accounting, legal, intellectual property development, technology and prototype development, business plan development, technology assessments, market analyses, market entry strategy development, and hiring advisors and employees.

The Pre-Seed program requires matching funding from an outside source in order to qualify.

Pre-Seed funds are awarded by Connecticut Innovations, which is the state’s economic development arm overseeing the program.

The program expanded under SB 1173, a bill introduced by State Rep. Gregory Haddad (D-Mansfield, Chaplin), who serves as Vice-chair of the Commerce Committee.

Now, the program allows businesses that started from university research to include the early expenses (such as patent and prototype development) provided by universities as the required match.

CEO of LambdaVision, Nicole Wagner, said the Pre-Seed funds will help keep the company’s project moving forward.

The company will be able to begin “critical proof-of-concept studies in collaboration with the Center for Innovative Visual Rehabilitation at the Boston VA Medical Center,” Wagner said.

In a statement released today (Oct. 4) Rep. Haddad said, “The idea of this legislation is to help develop and encourage new hi-tech start-up companies created from research conducted at UConn, and I’m glad to see it is already paying dividends.”

UConn is also currently developing plans for a multi-million dollar technology park on the Storrs-Mansfield campus.

“This is all about encouraging more working partnerships between business and the university, which is important for sustaining future economic growth in the region,” Rep. Haddad said.

Director of the UConn Technology Incubation Program, Rita Zangari, said LamdaVision is a good example of UConn’s contribution to the state’s economic growth.

“LambdaVision actually provides a great example of how university and State partnerships fuel new technology companies,” she said.

“The company was first formed by the UConn R&D Corp; its initial funding came from the university’s Prototype Fund which helps with product development; a student was tapped as the CEO of this faculty startup by R&D Corp; and the Business School’s Innovation Accelerator – which was developed with state funds just five years ago – provided a team of MBA students to flesh out the business plan for the company,” Zangari explained.

Posted Oct. 4, 2011

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DMV says you might want to wait to renew that license

Waiting times may be longer as the Department of Motor Vehicles begins to implement a new license renewal program called SelectCT ID. The new identity-checked "verified" driver licenses and ID cards will have a gold star in the upper right corner. Those without verification will be marked "Not for Federal Identification."

If your driver’s license or State ID card expires late in October or shortly thereafter, you might want to avoid going to the Department of Motor Vehicles this week when longer-than-usual lines are expected.

This is because the new SelectCT ID program begins today. (Oct. 4)

This is a new identity-verification system that requires Connecticut residents to decide whether they want a “regular” renewed license or a “verified” renewed license (or ID). It is part of ramping up national security, and it is a step toward making it more difficult for someone to steal your identity.

Those who choose a “regular” or standard license will have the words “Not for Federal Identification” clearly stamped on their license.

If you choose a “verified” license, there are certain documents you must bring with you to the DMV.

The cost of the driver license or I.D. renewals cards is the same for both forms. Regular license renewal for 6 years is $66. Anyone 65 years old and older can renew for two years at $22. Commercial driver’s license renewal is every 4 years and is $60. DMV-issued ID cards are renewed for $22.50 for six years.

If this is a new license

Connecticut currently requires all new applicants for driver licenses or DMV-issued ID cards to be issued a “verified” card, which means you will have to bring the appropriate documents to the DMV or AAA office.

And because all of this will be new to many residents, waiting times may be longer at the DMV as the rules are explained.

This likely also will be true at the AAA offices as well, according to a press release issued Monday by the DMV.

More information about the program is available by doing a search for SelectCT ID on the HTNP.com website to read previous stories, and by visiting www.ct.gov/selectCTid

To help reduce time spent in a DMV or AAA office, DMV advises you to consider waiting if you don’t need to renew your license at the beginning of October.

However, renewals still must be done by the expiration date on the front of the license or you will have to pay a $25 late fee at the time of renewal.

The DMV is also is asking customers to remember they can avoid long lines at the DMV regional service hubs in Bridgeport, Waterbury, Willimantic and Wethersfield by going to other service locations.

Since there has been some confusion about which DMV offices are now open, here is a list provided by the DMV (and AAA):

DMV Offices

Bridgeport – 95 Sylvan Ave.

Danbury – 2 Lee Mac Ave.

Derby – Railroad Station – 12 Main St.

Enfield – 4 Pearson Way

Hamden – 1985 State St.

Middletown – Main Street Market, 386 Main St.

Milford – Parson’s Government Center

New Britain – 85 No. Mountain Rd.

Norwalk – 540 Main Ave.

Norwich – 173 Salem Tpk.

Old Saybrook – 7 Custom Dr.

Putnam – 165 Kennedy Drive

Waterbury – 2210 Thomaston Ave

Wethersfield – 60 State St.

Willimantic – 1557 West Main Street

Winsted – 151 Torrington Rd.

AAA Offices

Avon – 70 East Main Street

Branford – 143 Cedar Street

Cromwell – 34 Shunpike Road

Danbury – 93 Lake Avenue

Enfield – 109 Elm Street

Hamden – 2276 Whitney Avenue

Manchester – 1500 G Pleasant Valley Road

Milford – 827 Bridgeport Avenue

Old Saybrook – 210 Main Street

Plainville – Old Canal Square

Stamford – 1101 High Ridge Road

Waterbury – 720 Wolcott Street

Waterford – Waterford Shopping Plaza

West Hartford – 815 Farmington Avenue

Westport – 419 Post Road East

You can also check for any changes by visiting the DMV Web site at www.ct.gov/dmv

So here are some highlights of the new SelectCT ID program:

• SelectCT ID stems from national security measures and federal identification standards for airports and federal buildings and any commercial transactions that may use them.

• It will be phased in during the next six years (October 2011 through 2017) as all licenses and ID cards are renewed. (Your renewal date is on the front of your driver’s license or ID card.)

• Those who opt for a license or ID card indicating their identity was verified by DMV need to present certain original documents. These include a birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport or other primary documents, also proof of Social Security number, name changes, including as a result of marriage, divorce, etc., as well as proof of current address.

• Anyone who opts out of the verified license or ID can simply ask to renew as a regular license or ID card. (In terms of airports or federal buildings, a valid U.S. passport can serve the same purpose as the verified license or ID card.)

• The new identity-checked “verified” driver licenses and ID cards will have a gold star in the upper right corner. Those without verification will be marked “Not for Federal Identification.”

• Non-U.S. citizens who request the verified license or ID must show various identity documents and proof of legal presence in the U.S. that DMV will verify online. Without legal presence, DMV will not renew the driver’s license or ID card.

Both the verified and the standard renewed licenses are legal when it comes to driving.

Posted Oct. 4, 2011

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Gov. Malloy says Obama’s jobs plan good for Connecticut

President Barak Obama (official White House photo)

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s speech concerning his proposed American Jobs Act tonight (Sept. 8 ) before a Joint Session of Congress.

“Tonight, the President made clear that the time for politics is over, and the time for action is now. President Obama proposed a plan to put Americans back to work, cut their taxes and step up the pace of our economic recovery,” Malloy said.

“The President’s proposals will be a direct benefit to Connecticut residents and businesses,” Gov. Malloy said. “For example, by investing in infrastructure his proposal would put people to work; by funding education he will avoid layoffs of teachers and increased class sizes; and by extending unemployment insurance he will keep out of poverty the approximately 78,000 Connecticut workers who will have exhausted their unemployment benefits by the end of this year.”

“Importantly, this plan will not increase our national debt. Indeed, if enacted it will accelerate economic growth and reduce the nation’s long-term deficit. I applaud the President for acting boldly in the face of recent data suggesting that our economic recovery has slowed. Congress should act quickly to pass this plan,” Gov. Malloy said.

Posted Sept. 8, 2011

Related link: Transcript of President Obama’s speech http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/08/address-president-joint-session-congress

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Military Intern Program helps vets find jobs

Service members hunt for jobs during the biannual Military Officers Association of America job fair in Washington, D.C. Photo by Chris Maddaloni, militarytimesedge.com

On Thursday, Sept. 1, Congressmen John B. Larson (CT-01) and Joe Courtney (CT-02) will join Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra and U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) District Director Anne Evans in recognizing the DOC’s Military Intern Program at 10 a.m. at The Hartford Armory on Capitol Ave.

The Military Intern Program connects Connecticut Veterans with the over 2,500 companies the DOC assists throughout the state.

Two days after President Obama’s speech backing measures to help returning veterans find jobs, Courtney and Larson will highlight a program that is already offering returning vets important skills such as resume writing, interview training.

The program also places men and women in internships with some of the state’s most influential companies with the goal of placing veterans in full-time employment.

Posted Sept. 1,2011

Related link http://www.dodvets.com/intern.asp

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Update – Some tax filing deadlines extended because of Tropical Storm Irene

"It is also likely that some taxpayers and tax preparers will have to recreate damaged or lost tax records. I hope this extension of time provides the relief our taxpayers in Connecticut and in other states similarly affected by this hurricane and tropical storm deserve at this difficult time." - Commissioner of CT Dept of Revenue Services Kevin B. Sullivan

Updated as of Aug. 31, 2011

Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) Commissioner Kevin B. Sullivan announced Aug. 31 that the deadline for filing certain business taxes will be extended to help businesses affected by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene.

State tax filing and payment due from Aug. 31, 2011 through Sept. 13, 2011 must now be mailed and postmarked by midnight on Sept. 13, 2011.

Payments by electronic funds transfer (EFT) must be initiated no later than 4:30 p.m. on September 12 to be considered timely.

If business taxpayers receive a late filing notices from DRS, they should call the department’s Taxpayer Services line at (860) 297-5962 to explain their situation.

“The weekend’s tropical storm caused flooding and damage to several businesses and has created widespread and extended power outages throughout the state of Connecticut and the Northeast,” Commissioner Sullivan said. “As a result, some business owners or their preparers may be unable to meet the Aug. 31 or Sept. 1 filing deadline for several taxes that must be filed.”

“By extending the deadline for these tax filings to (Sept. 13), we believe businesses should be able to meet their filing requirements and not incur penalties or interest,” Commissioner Sullivan said.

On Aug. 31, the Commissioner extended the deadline from a previous Sept. 7 to Sept. 13.

The list of taxes includes:

• Sales and use tax,

• Business use tax,

• Room occupancy tax,

• Admission and dues tax,

• Alcoholic beverage tax,

• Tourism surcharge,

• Weekly income tax withholding,

• Corporation business tax, and

• Gift and Estate

Electronic returns must be filed and paper returns must be post-marked by midnight, (Sept. 13, 2011), to be considered timely.

“Gov. Malloy did a great job making sure the state was prepared for the severe weather, flooding and power outages,” Commissioner Sullivan said. “Still, areas of the state were hit hard and widespread power outages are likely to continue for some time, despite the best efforts of Northeast Utilities and Connecticut Light & Power to repair the damage.”

“It is also likely that some taxpayers and tax preparers will have to recreate damaged or lost tax records. I hope this extension of time provides the relief our taxpayers in Connecticut and in other states similarly affected by this hurricane and tropical storm deserve at this difficult time,” he said.

For information about various tax matters, visit the DRS website at www.ct.gov/DRS. Customer service callers should dial (800) 382-9463 (within Connecticut, but outside the Greater Hartford area) or (860) 297-5962 (from anywhere).

Posted Aug. 31, 2011 – updated with new deadline 4:37 p.m. Aug. 31, 2011

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Natchaug Hospital and Windham Hospital to share top post

Natchaug Hospital Chief Executive Officer Stephen Larcen has been appointed as the interim replacement for outgoing Windham Community Memorial Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Brvenik.

Brvenik’s last day is Aug. 31. He is heading to North Carolina, where he will head up the Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City.

Larcen’s is a trial dual role that could become permanent.

Windham Hospital and Hartford HealthCare announced the appointment Aug. 5.

The appointment marks the beginning of a six-month trial in which Larcen will act as CEO of both hospitals, with a key individual assigned his duties at Natchaug in his absence, according to hospital spokespersons.

In his new capacity, Windham Hospital will be Larcen’s hub of operation and David Klein, vice president of community programs at Natchaug, will take over day­to-day operations there.

During the six-month period, hospital officials and board members will evaluate the dual-leadership role and then make a decision. They will not be recruiting during that time.

“We think it will work and I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to make a difference in the community,” Larcen said Friday morning (Aug. 5)

If successful, the two hospitals would remain separate entities under joint leadership.

Larcen’s first day in his new capacity is Monday, Aug. 22.

Both Windham and Natchaug hospitals are affiliated with Hartford HealthCare (HHC), a health-care system that includes medical facilities throughout the state.

Natchaug Hospital, on Route 195 near the Mansfield-Windham town line, provides services for children, teens and adults who suffer from mental illness.

Natchaug also has facilities in eight other Connecticut communities and offers day treatment, outpatient and in-home services.

Larcen is also the vice president of behavioral health for Hartford HealthCare.

Said Elliot Joseph, president and chief executive officer of HHC, “In his many years with Natchaug and HHC, Steve has demonstrated excellent leadership skills and has developed a strong relationship with the local community.”

Although Windham has been affiliated with HHC for several years, Larcen said he believes his experience with HHC will allow him to help make Windham officials more aware of the services available to them.

Stephen Larcen will serve as the head of both Natchaug Hospital in Mansfield, CT and interim President of Windham Community Memorial Hospital in Willimantic, CT.

“Windham is noted for how efficiently it operates as a hospital,” Larcen said. “My being there will help them at understanding what’s available at Hartford HealthCare.”

Larcen has run Mansfield-based Natchaug’s 70-bed mental-health facility for 21 years and has worked in health care for 40 years.

He has a master’s degree and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Connecticut, which is what originally brought him to the area.

Larcen’s previous work experience includes serving as vice president of operation of Cumberland Health Systems in Nashville, Tenn.; CEO of Northwest Medical Center in Knoxville, Tenn.; and executive director of United Services, a mental-health center in Danielson.

He also has experience in organizational consultation, development, clinical and business operations and financial management.

“Well qualified”

Brvenik said he has known Larcen for 12 years and believes he is a well-qualified leader, in part, because of his experience operating satellite medical facilities and also because of the connections he has in the community.

This, he said, is especially important as Windham Hospital embarks on its community health needs assessment.

The health-needs assessment is a consortium of area healthcare providers working together to determine the region’s most pressing health care needs. It seeks information from people in their respective communities.

Larcen said the challenges that await, other than the responsibility for two hospitals, will be working with the various specialties at Windham Hospital.

He said he has already begun meeting with members of the medical staff there and feels positive about the work cut out for him. Larcen also previously ran a general hospital.

“You have a lot of talent there, a lot of expertise and a lot of interest in growing Windham (hospital),” Larcen said.

He also praised the many accomplishments of Brvenik, and cited as examples a state-of-the-art expansion project and successfully securing funding for a new medical office building now being built with plans for future expansion.

“That’s a big deal in this economy,” Larcen said.

For Larcen, the position is, in some ways, an opportunity to give back to the community.

He recalled William Sweeney’s involvement in the establishment and organization of Natchaug back in 1953. Sweeney was then the Windham Hospital administrator.

“In some ways,” Larcen said “This is a pay it forward opportunity.”

Posted Aug. 6, 2011 as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan editor@htnp.com

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Walgreens pays $140,000 in settlement related to claims of double-billing

To resolve its liability under the False Claims Act, Walgreens has paid $140,000 to reimburse the Medicaid and ConnPACE programs for incidents occurring from June 1, 2006 through and including Aug. 31, 2008.

U.S. Atty. David B. Fein and Connecticut Atty. General George Jepsen today (July 27) announced that The Walgreen Co., a nationwide retail pharmacy chain, has entered into a civil settlement with the federal and state governments in which it will pay $140,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and common law.

According to the press release, in entering into the civil settlement agreement, Walgreens did not admit liability.

The allegations against Walgreens involve fraudulent billing to Medicaid and the Connecticut ConnPACE Program for prescription drugs.

Walgreens was investigated for allegedly submitting duplicate or multiple claims to Medicare and Medicaid or ConnPACE for some or all of the cost of prescription drugs provided to individuals who were dually eligible for Medicare Part D as the primary payor, and Medicaid or ConnPACE as the secondary payor.

“The Medicare and Medicaid programs rely on pharmacies to bill honestly and accurately, and the U.S. Attorney’s office is committed to vigorously pursuing health care providers that submit fraudulent claims to federal health care programs,” said U.S. Atty. Fein.

CT Atty General George Jepsen agreed. “Health care providers, such as Walgreens, must be especially vigilant about billing taxpayer-funded programs accurately for goods and services for the elderly, the disabled and the needy. ‘Double billing’ the federal and state government for medications is simply unacceptable,” Jepsen said.

Social Services Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby said the suspicious billings were detected by the Department of Social Services’ pharmacy service unit and confirmed through the quality assurance/audit process.

“In this situation, Walgreens did not have adequate controls in place to identify it was getting paid twice for the same claims – by both Medicaid and Medicare,” Bremby said. “This demonstrates the ever-important need for program integrity oversight by government and law enforcement authorities, as well as meticulous care by our enrolled pharmacy providers.”

A “dually eligible” claim refers to a prescription that must be billed to more than one insurance company. In the cases in question, individuals who were “dually eligible” had Medicare Part D as the primary payor of their prescription claims, and either the Connecticut Medicaid program or the Connecticut ConnPACE program as the secondary payor.

Medicare Part D was usually responsible for 80 percent of the cost of the eligible medication and Medicaid or ConnPACE would pay for the remaining 20 percent or the “co-pay.”

Investigators alleged that Walgreens charged the full cost of prescription drugs both to Medicare Part D and the Connecticut Medicaid program or the Connecticut ConnPACE program.

To resolve its liability under the False Claims Act, Walgreens has paid $140,000 to reimburse the Medicaid and ConnPACE programs for incidents occurring from June 1, 2006 through and including Aug. 31, 2008.

The matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Atty. Anne F. Thidemann and Auditor Kevin A. Saunders of the United States Attorney’s Office, and by Assistant Atty. General Karla A. Turekian for the state Office of the Attorney General, with the assistance of the state Department of Social Services.

U.S. Attorney Fein encourages those who suspect healthcare fraud to call the Health Care Fraud Task Force at (203) 785-9270 or 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

Posted July 27, 2011

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Borders Express at East Brook Mall to close

The Borders Express in the East Brook Mall is closing as part of the bankruptcy and closure of  the remaining Borders stores in Connecticut and the country.

The closing sale began in the store Friday (July 22) with all items being offered “as is” and all sales are final.

According to terms filed with the federal Bankruptcy Court, Borders gift cards will be accepted in retail stores and online during the closing sales.

Borders Rewards Plus Loyalty Program discounts will be honored in retail stores and online, for the first 14 days of the closing sales.

Items purchased prior to the closing sales may be returned with an original store register receipt. Those returns are also subject to the store’s return and price-adjustment policy in effect on the purchase date.

“I’m sorry that Borders could not find a buyer, which made it necessary to close its remaining stores,” Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen said. “My office will be monitoring the sales to make sure the interests of Connecticut consumers are protected.”

Jepsen urged consumers to use their outstanding gift cards as soon as possible.

The sale is expected to conclude on or before September 30, 2011.

Posted 7-25-2011

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