Eight local life sciences firms have secured at least $100,000 each from the Hazelwood incubator Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse that they hope to use to lure other investors to kick in millions more.

The dollars and expertise provided by the Greenhouse, which receives support from the state and foundations, are an "invaluable" endorsement of a young firm's potential as it tries to raise millions from wealthy individuals and private equity firms, the companies' executives said yesterday in announcing the cash infusion.

Most of the firms -- BlueBelt Technologies, Applied Isotope Technologies Inc., StageMark, Diamyd Inc., NeuroLife Noninvasive Solutions, Proteopure, Applied Computational Technologies and Cohera Medical Inc. -- declined to be specific how much or from whom they were seeking money.

But they said additional funds were critical to their survival as they conduct both animal and human trials and undergo a rigorous regulatory approval process in hopes of taking their products from prototypes to market.

"This funding takes care of the start," said Dr. Bernard Cambou, chief executive officer of South Side-based StageMark, which plans to begin selling technology next year that would aid in diagnosing and treating auto-immune diseases such as lupus.

Dr. Cambou said the year-old firm needed an additional $6 million to $7 million "to build the infrastructure'' before he can begin selling his product to physicians. Pre-market tasks range from purchasing equipment and product testing to the biggest hurdle -- obtaining state or federal regulatory approval.

Greenhouse funding recipient Cohera Medical, which is developing a biodegradable adhesive product used in surgery, expects to begin selling its product in 2009 after completing animal and human trials required by the Food and Drug Administration.

"It's a two to three year process," said Chief Executive Officer Patrick Daly, who is in discussions with private investors to raise an undisclosed amount by summer's end.

The uphill climb to land additional dollars locally reflects the comparatively small number of venture capital firms and private "angel" investors relative to the hundreds of young tech firms on the regional horizon.

"In Pittsburgh, it's very difficult," said Dr. Cambou, who has been on both sides as a life sciences investor at North Side-based venture capital firm Birchmere Ventures before founding StageMark last year.

"You have to tap into those resources elsewhere," he said. There is a risk, though, that out-of-town private equity investors will require a young company to move closer to them.

"Most venture capitalists want to have a board position [in the firm] and want to be able to easily get to board meetings," said Dr. Lansing Taylor, a three-time start-up veteran who has successfully raised money from venture capital firm PA Early Stage for his latest biotech venture, Cellumen.

Dr. Taylor added that it's not impossible to persuade investors to come to you, particularly since the region is known for its low cost of living. The key, he said, is matching your company with an investor's interest.