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CHESAPEAKE INNOVATION CENTER SIGNS NEW LEASE TO CONTINUE OPERATION Eight members companies renew membership/Two graduate; Key partnerships renewed Annapolis , MD (April 16, 2007) - - - The Chesapeake Innovation Center (CIC), Anne Arundel County 's business accelerator for homeland and national security, has signed a new lease to consolidate office space. The consolidation is part of a refocused CIC mission. The CIC will move from the fourth floor to 5,400 square feet on the third floor of 175 Admiral Cochran Drive . Eight current member companies have renewed their membership agreements with the CIC, six as resident member companies and two as affiliate members. “As the beginning of the new fiscal year approaches, significant progress has been made by the CIC toward fulfilling its mission with renewed energy,” said Robert Hannon, president and CEO of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation. “The CIC's mission emphasizes sourcing and recruiting new technologies for our partner organizations,” Hannon continued. “The CIC's business accelerator function will continue at an 8-10 member company capacity within its new space while we enhance the affiliate member program for companies that need CIC services but do not require a physical presence at the CIC.” The CIC has renewed its partnership with ARINC for ongoing technology scouting services. ARINC has made a financial commitment to the CIC of $75,000.00. John M. Belcher, ARINC Chairman and CEO, said, “Technology is vital to the growth of Anne Arundel County . ARINC has been an adamant supporter since the early days of the CIC. Not only does the CIC create opportunities for employment but it creates awareness of the engineering expertise available in this area of the country. Without the CIC, companies that have developed ground breaking products may not have been able to bring them to market. ARINC sees this as a valuable service to the community and to the future of technology. Based on these commendable goals, ARINC has continued the pledge to extend its support.” Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, on behalf of the CIC, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Security Agency that will support a continuing partnership. NSA has been a CIC partner since 2003. Robert Hannon , AAEDC president and CEO, said “I am very pleased to have the continued support of these major defense technology leaders. The ARINC and NSA partnerships and our existing partnerships with Boeing and Athlone Global Systems form the foundation for the Chesapeake Innovation Center . These partnerships allow the CIC to connect major users of security technology with small companies at the forefront of innovation.” Two CIC member companies will graduate this month and locate in Anne Arundel County . Pharmathene, with 33 employees, will locate at Park Place in Annapolis . PharmAthene ( www.pharmathene.com ) specializes in developing products for defense against terrorist threats. The company is developing an antibody targeted against the anthrax toxin and a chemical detector for nerve agents. Inclinix (formerly RealInterface), with 10 employees, will move to new office space within the building that houses the CIC at 175 Admiral Cochran Drive . Inclinix ( www.inclinix.com ) specializes in investigator and patient recruitment for clinical trials. The process accelerates enrollment and improves the quality of data collected during candidate interviews. "I am pleased to hear the Chesapeake Innovation Center will continue to work in partnership with the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, but in a more efficient manner," said County Executive John Leopold. "I understand the importance of the Center and its creation and branding of security related technology." # # # #
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