NEW YORK, April 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harris & Harris Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:TINY), an investor in transformative companies enabled by disruptive science, continues its support of emerging companies in the biotech industry by sponsoring the NYC American Heart Association's second annual Health Sciences Innovation Investment Forum. Harris & Harris portfolio company TARA Biosystems will also be represented in a presentation by one of the company's founders, Milica Radisic Ph.D.
The forum will bring experts in the industry and leaders in academia together to discuss, collaborate and drive investments towards cardiovascular research and the advancement of cardiovascular and stroke care. Dr. Radisic will give a "Big Idea" talk on TARA Biosystems, and provide insight into its unique tissue engineering technology and the value it brings to not only potential investors, but for research and cardiovascular care as a whole.
In addition to sponsoring the event, Misti Ushio Ph.D., managing director and chief strategy officer at Harris & Harris Group is on the Health Sciences Innovation - Investment Forum Executive Leadership Committee. As a part of this committee Misti played a role in generating concepts, acquiring speakers and organizing the panels along with other various responsibilities.
"There's a lot of exciting innovation coming out of emerging health sciences companies like TARA Biosystems right now, particularly in the New York City area," said Ushio. "Events like this are extremely important to spotlight this innovation and continue to advance the biotech investment ecosystem, which will help more companies convert cutting edge science into marketable products and technology."
The forum will be held on April 22nd at Apella, Event Space at Alexandria Center, 450 E. 29th St. in New York City, at 8:00 A.M. Dr. Radisic will speak at 3:25 P.M. The full agenda can be found on the events homepage.
About TARA Biosystems, Inc.
TARA Biosystems is an early-stage life science technology company that has built a proprietary technology platform to develop physiologically-relevant, stem-cell derived cardiac tissue for in vitro drug discovery and toxicity testing. TARA Biosystems is backed by Harris & Harris Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:TINY). More information the company can be found at www.tarabiosystems.com.
About The Health Sciences Innovation Investment Forum
The American Heart Association NYC Health Sciences Innovation Investment Forum is an annual event bringing together the great minds from industry, investment and academia for a world-class collaborative discussion. Through this Forum the American Heart Association will foster relationships between key parties that will benefit the entire health sciences ecosystem and drive much needed resources towards innovation in cardiovascular research and technology.
About Harris & Harris Group
Harris & Harris Group, Inc. is a publicly traded venture capital firm that is also a business development company. Detailed information about Harris & Harris Group and its holdings can be found on its website at www.HHVC.com and by following on Facebook at www.facebook.com/harrisharrisvc and on Twitter @harrisandharrisgroup.
This press release may contain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. These statements reflect the Company's current beliefs, and a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in this press release. Please see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, as well as subsequent filings, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more detailed discussion of the risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties associated with venture capital investing and other significant factors that could affect the Company's actual results. Except as otherwise required by Federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events or uncertainties. The references to the websites www.HHVC.com, www.tarabiosystems, www.healthsciencesforum.com and www.Facebook.com have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. Harris & Harris Group is not responsible for the contents of third party websites.