Handley named president of bioscience cluster

FORT COLLINS – The Northern Colorado Bioscience Cluster has appointed venture capitalist Michael Handley as the technology organization’s new president.

In his new role, Handley, 40, will aim to attract additional bioscience companies to Northern Colorado. With more companies operating here, the area will have a better chance to raise money from East and West Coast venture capital groups, he said.

“We’ve got good-quality bioscience companies here in northern Colorado, we just don’t have enough of them,” Handley said.

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The bioscience cluster operates in the same building as the Rocky Mountain Innosphere. Handley said the bioscience cluster would help launch new companies, some of which could locate in the Innosphere, and seek capital to grow existing companies.

The bioscience cluster aims to create 25 viable biotechnology companies during the next five years and at least 250 jobs paying more than $70,000 annually, according to the organization’s strategic plan. It also plans to develop a strong, nationally recognized organization that supports bioscience growth.

Handley has worked in several positions in the biotechnology sector during his 17-year career. His experience includes drug and medical device commercialization, venture financing, licensing and market development.

Founder of Level 5 Partners, Handley currently serves as the company’s senior managing partner and executive director. The venture capital firm owns eight bioscience companies and specializes in medical devices, software, medicine, diagnostics and other areas.

Handley graduated from Colorado State University with degrees in molecular biology and exercise physiology and minors in neurobiology and chemistry.