Bhatia Joins ITDA

Chicago, IL – July 7, 2005 – ITDA welcomes Arun Bhatia as a Venture Development Manager. Arun is responsible for screening and selection of clients; provision and coordination of entrepreneurship mentoring, consulting, and technical assistance; identifying and coordinating external resources of benefit to ITDA clients; and conducting due diligence for prospective investment opportunities under the Technology Development Bridge fund. Arun brings to the ITDA an extensive background in biotechnology and will focus the majority of his attention on biotechnology-based enterprises, specifically in industry research, business plan review, competitive analysis, financial analysis, technology assessment, market assessment and strategic planning for ITDA clients.

Arun is currently pursuing his MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, with concentrations in finance and strategic management. He has participated in several business plan competitions for a new venture biotechnology and nutriceuticals firm and was recently selected as a finalist in the 2005 Edward Kaplan New Venture Challenge Competition. Previously, Arun served as a researcher within Northwestern University School of Medicine's Department of Neonatology. Prior to this, he received an MS in Biotechnology from the Illinois Institute of Technology, focusing on biotechnological applications to medical and drug delivery systems. Arun also worked as a researcher at Washington University-St. Louis School of Medicine after earning his bachelors degree in Biochemistry from the University of Rochester, NY.