RochesterWorks! named SiMPore its employer of the month. The 2-year-old company develops technology that researchers may use to make big medical breakthroughs in the not too distant future.

SiMPore started at the University of Rochester with the discovery of nanopore membranes that can filter, separate, and concentrate fine materials like proteins and nanoparticles.

"There's a whole industrial, as well as research, area around those materials," said Rick Richmond, SiMPore CEO.

Especially in the drug and medical research fields.

"Like the marker for prostate cancer, there are markers for other cancers. They're trying to find ways to isolate and detect them quickly," Richmond said.

Researchers also call nanopore membranes an important tool in the development of tissue engineering.

"To replace, not skin tissue, but nerve tissue, damaged nerve tissue, damaged heart tissue. We won't do this, but this will be a tool for those who do," Richmond added.

SiMPore plans to look for venture capital to expand and leave the University of Rochester campus sometime next year.

"We'll get this product on the marketplace, we'll hire marketing and sales people and push this really hard. And then there are several follow on products that we'll roll out over the next three years," explained Richmond.

SiMPore plans on adding to its current 10 employees.

Richmond said, "We're currently doing some work with Infotonics in Canandaigua. That's a possible site. We also have a facility already at the high-tech facility Lennox Tech Center. That's another possibility."

SiMPore