Manufacturer of products for pathology labs to open

Unless you're a pathologist or run a pathology laboratory you've probably never given a moment's thought to the niche in which Minden-based HCI Sciences expects to carve out a profitable corner.

But the opening of HCI Sciences in the next week or two has set the pathology world abuzz.

To understand why a four-employee firm could have such an impact, you need to step back.

In the world of anatomical pathology, researchers receive thin sections of tissue, mount them on slides and apply a bit of a highly specialized dye that professionals call a stain.

The stain, which typically dyes parts of a cell into shades of blue and red, allows a pathologist to envision the workings of the cell and make a diagnosis.

HCI Sciences makes those stains.

Jerry Fredenburgh, the company's chief medical officer, has developed a big name during his 34 years in the world of anatomical pathology.

He was supervisor of anatomical pathology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, served as an executive with Richard-Allan Scientific and served as chairman and president of Surgipath Medical Industries.

He teamed to created HCI Sciences with Peggy Lyon, who has spent more than three decades in healthcare sales including a stint in which she worked with Fredenburgh at Richard-Allan Scientific.

Lyon serves as chief executive officer of the new company.

While pathologists and pathology labs are notoriously slow to embrace change, Lyon figures the new company can carve out a position with products that are more reliable and more environmentally friendly than the competition. Fredenburgh's reputation as an innovator doesn't hurt, either.

Lyon, who had family living in the area, chose Minden for the company's headquarters because Nevada's regulatory climate allowed for development of medical manufacturing that would be suffocated in California.

HCI Sciences has leased 5,000 square feet near the Minden-Tahoe Airport, and crews put in a furious 90 days getting the facility ready for sophisticated manufacturing operations. The facility also includes warehouse and office space.

The big coming-out party for HCI Sciences will come late this month during the National Society for Histotechnology annual symposium in Vancouver.

The company is seeking FDA certification of its laboratory and production facility, and Lyon says it's also working to meet the standards of ISO certification that will help it meet the demands of global markets.

As production begins, Lyon says the company expects to slowly increase its workforce, perhaps adding three additional staff in early 2013.

The Northern Nevada Development Authority assisted the company in its decision to locate in Douglas County.

Danny Campos, business development for NNDA, said the company fits with a goal of both the state government and Douglas County to build a stronger health and medical services sector in the region.