Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Micron Biomedical is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company established in 2014 and located in Atlanta, Georgia. The company focuses on developing microneedle patches specifically for vaccines, including those for influenza and polio. Its innovative microneedle technology aims to improve protective and therapeutic effects while enhancing patient compliance and simplifying the administration process. By leveraging this technology, Micron Biomedical seeks to facilitate the development of effective vaccines, addressing important public health needs.

Owlstone Medical Ltd is a diagnostics company based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, specializing in non-invasive breath-based diagnostic tools aimed at the early detection of diseases, including cancer and respiratory conditions. The company develops a range of innovative products, including its Breath Biopsy platform, which utilizes advanced technology to identify volatile organic compounds in breath samples. Its offerings include FAIMS technology for medical applications, Lonestar for disease biomarker detection, and ReCIVA breath samplers for in vitro analysis. Owlstone Medical's technology has significant applications in various medical fields, such as lung cancer, bowel cancer, and gastrointestinal disorders. The company is also exploring the development of a portable hand-held device that promises high sensitivity and selectivity for chemical detection, with potential applications across multiple markets, including military and industrial sectors. Owlstone Medical aims to become a leader in non-invasive diagnostics, with ongoing collaborations and trials, including contracts with the UK National Health Service for lung cancer screening initiatives.

Owlstone Medical Ltd is a diagnostics company based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, specializing in non-invasive breath-based diagnostic tools aimed at the early detection of diseases, including cancer and respiratory conditions. The company develops a range of innovative products, including its Breath Biopsy platform, which utilizes advanced technology to identify volatile organic compounds in breath samples. Its offerings include FAIMS technology for medical applications, Lonestar for disease biomarker detection, and ReCIVA breath samplers for in vitro analysis. Owlstone Medical's technology has significant applications in various medical fields, such as lung cancer, bowel cancer, and gastrointestinal disorders. The company is also exploring the development of a portable hand-held device that promises high sensitivity and selectivity for chemical detection, with potential applications across multiple markets, including military and industrial sectors. Owlstone Medical aims to become a leader in non-invasive diagnostics, with ongoing collaborations and trials, including contracts with the UK National Health Service for lung cancer screening initiatives.

Phase Genomics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Seattle, Washington, founded in 2015. The company specializes in developing innovative technology for genome assembly and metagenome deconvolution, focusing on its ProxiMeta Hi-C platform. This platform empowers researchers in various fields, including agriculture, human health, and industrial biology, by enabling the cultivation-independent assembly of bacterial genomes. By exploiting the structure of DNA, Phase Genomics aims to provide scientists with the most complete and accurate genomes and metagenomes possible, facilitating transformative discoveries and advancements in their respective areas of study.

Micron Biomedical is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company established in 2014 and located in Atlanta, Georgia. The company focuses on developing microneedle patches specifically for vaccines, including those for influenza and polio. Its innovative microneedle technology aims to improve protective and therapeutic effects while enhancing patient compliance and simplifying the administration process. By leveraging this technology, Micron Biomedical seeks to facilitate the development of effective vaccines, addressing important public health needs.

Osmo gives computers a sense of smell that improves the health and well-being of human life. Osmo brings together frontier AI and olfactory science to tackle a historic challenge. While they are initially focused on the intricate world of fragrance, their ultimate objective is to enhance the health and well-being of human life through the sense of smell.

MIP Discovery is a technology leader specializing in the development of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and nanoMIPs, which are plastic antibodies designed to address the limitations of traditional MIP manufacturing methods. The company's innovations feature polymers and antibodies that incorporate a single binding site for specific targets, allowing them to be effectively fused to solid substrates, such as sensor surfaces. This capability provides hospitals with highly effective reagents suitable for a variety of applications, including point-of-care diagnostics and field-based testing, thereby enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of medical testing.

Osmo gives computers a sense of smell that improves the health and well-being of human life. Osmo brings together frontier AI and olfactory science to tackle a historic challenge. While they are initially focused on the intricate world of fragrance, their ultimate objective is to enhance the health and well-being of human life through the sense of smell.

LumiraDx Ltd, incorporated in 2016 and based in London, is a next-generation healthcare company specializing in point-of-care diagnostics. The company manufactures a diagnostic platform designed to provide lab-comparable performance across a wide range of tests, enhancing patient-centered care. LumiraDx aims to simplify and improve diagnostic-led care by offering a compact, portable instrument paired with advanced, low-cost test strips and seamless digital connectivity. Its solutions are focused on achieving healthcare transformation goals by delivering integrated and informed care, resulting in safer, more efficient practices with better patient outcomes. The company operates in multiple countries, including the United States, Italy, Germany, and Sweden, with a significant portion of its revenue generated in the U.S.

CaliberMRI is a platform that includes brain, breast, prostate, and custom phantoms, and companion automated quality control software. They provide services that include quantitative MRI, qmri, phantoms, quantitative medicine, radiology, breast cancer, and calibration.

Phase Genomics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Seattle, Washington, founded in 2015. The company specializes in developing innovative technology for genome assembly and metagenome deconvolution, focusing on its ProxiMeta Hi-C platform. This platform empowers researchers in various fields, including agriculture, human health, and industrial biology, by enabling the cultivation-independent assembly of bacterial genomes. By exploiting the structure of DNA, Phase Genomics aims to provide scientists with the most complete and accurate genomes and metagenomes possible, facilitating transformative discoveries and advancements in their respective areas of study.

Particles for Humanity is focused on developing early-stage medical technologies aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals in low-resource settings. The organization formulates a portfolio of healthcare products designed to improve vaccination rates and combat malnutrition. By incorporating end-user input into its rigorous product development process, Particles for Humanity seeks to create financially sustainable solutions that address serious medical challenges faced by these communities.

Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical Company developing proprietary therapeutics primarily for the treatment of serious medical disorders. Titan’s principal asset is Probuphine®, the first slow-release implant formulation of buprenorphine hydrochloride (“buprenorphine”), designed to maintain a stable, round-the-clock blood level of the medicine in patients for up to six months following a single treatment. The outpatient treatment of opioid dependence with daily dosed sublingual buprenorphine formulations represents a $1.3 billion market in the U.S., and a seven day transdermal patch formulation of buprenorphine for the treatment of chronic pain was launched in the U.S. in 2011. This novel implant formulation is inserted subdermally in a patient’s upper arm providing continuous medication, and has the potential to enhance patient compliance to treatment, and limit diversion for illicit use and accidental exposure to the sublingual formulations. The New Drug Application (NDA) was submitted to the FDA in October, 2012 seeking approval for treatment of opioid dependence. In December 2012, Titan entered into a license agreement with Braeburn Pharmaceuticals Sprl (“Braeburn”) that grants Braeburn exclusive commercialization rights to Probuphine® in the United States and Canada. Titan received a non-refundable up-front license fee of $15.75 million and will receive a $50 million milestone payment upon the approval of the NDA by the FDA. Additionally, Titan will be eligible to receive up to $130 million upon achievement of specified sales milestones and up to $35 million in regulatory milestones in the event of future NDA submissions and approvals for additional indications, including chronic pain. Titan will receive tiered royalties on net sales of Probuphine ranging from the mid-teens to the low twenties. Probuphine is the first product to utilize ProNeura™, a novel, proprietary, long-term drug delivery technology. The ProNeura technology has the potential to be used in developing products for the treatment of other chronic conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, where maintaining stable, round-the-clock blood levels of a drug can benefit the patient and improve medical outcomes. Finally, Titan is also entitled to royalty revenue of 8-10% of net sales of Fanapt® (iloperidone), an atypical antipsychotic compound being marketed in the U.S. for the treatment of schizophrenia by Novartis Pharma AG (“Novartis”) under a sub-license agreement based on a licensed U.S. patent that expires in October 2016 (does not include a possible six month pediatric extension). Substantially all of this future royalty revenue has been sold to Deerfield Management (“Deerfield”), a healthcare investment fund, in exchange for cash and debt considerations which have been used to advance the development of Probuphine and for general corporate purposes.

Particles for Humanity is focused on developing early-stage medical technologies aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals in low-resource settings. The organization formulates a portfolio of healthcare products designed to improve vaccination rates and combat malnutrition. By incorporating end-user input into its rigorous product development process, Particles for Humanity seeks to create financially sustainable solutions that address serious medical challenges faced by these communities.

Ilara Health, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, focuses on enhancing healthcare access in rural Africa by developing and distributing AI-powered diagnostic devices. These compact devices are designed for primary care doctors in peri-urban and rural clinics, providing accurate and affordable diagnostic services. Ilara Health integrates its technology within a proprietary platform that connects to an electronic medical record system, allowing healthcare providers to efficiently record and manage patient data. By leveraging existing healthcare infrastructure, Ilara Health aims to improve the accessibility and affordability of diagnostic services in underserved regions.

Atomwise, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Francisco that specializes in using deep learning artificial intelligence for small molecule drug discovery. Founded in 2012, Atomwise developed the AtomNet platform, which enables virtual screening of molecules by predicting the binding of small molecules to proteins through a statistical approach that leverages experimental affinity measurements and protein structures. The company focuses on addressing over 600 unique disease targets and has established partnerships with more than 250 organizations, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms. Atomwise's technology has been recognized for its ability to unlock previously undruggable targets, and the company has raised significant funding to support its mission of accelerating drug discovery and development.

E25Bio Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing rapid diagnostic tests for epidemic fever viruses, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Founded in 2018, the company specializes in paper-based diagnostic systems that enable swift detection of viral antigens produced during infections. Its innovative platform allows for real-time data reporting through a mobile application, which captures results along with information on test timing and location. This approach aims to facilitate epidemiologic predictions and disease mapping, ultimately assisting governments and health organizations in managing outbreaks effectively and preventing public health crises. E25Bio's solutions are designed to provide affordable and timely diagnostics at the point of care.

Particles for Humanity is focused on developing early-stage medical technologies aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals in low-resource settings. The organization formulates a portfolio of healthcare products designed to improve vaccination rates and combat malnutrition. By incorporating end-user input into its rigorous product development process, Particles for Humanity seeks to create financially sustainable solutions that address serious medical challenges faced by these communities.

PT HaloDoc is a digital healthcare platform based in Jakarta, Indonesia, founded in 2016. It connects patients with a network of 19,000 licensed doctors and 1,000 certified partner pharmacies through its services. Users can engage with medical professionals via video calls, voice calls, and chat, making healthcare more accessible. The platform also allows patients to order laboratory tests that can be conducted at home. Additionally, HaloDoc helps users locate the nearest hospitals and clinics, streamlining the process of obtaining medical advice and services in real-time.

Univercells is a provider of biomanufacturing solutions focused on making biologics, including vaccines and therapeutics, more accessible and affordable. The company offers innovative technologies designed to reduce manufacturing costs significantly, achieving up to 90% savings on the cost of goods and over 75% in capital investment. Their approach utilizes single-use technologies and integrates three manufacturing steps—cell culture under perfusion, clarification, and capture—into a simulated continuous mode. Univercells also provides a range of biomanufacturing services, including scale-X hydro, scale-X carbo, and NevoLine, along with integrated support such as equipment confirmation, facility design, and bioprocess excellence. This comprehensive offering aids cell and gene therapy manufacturers in scaling their operations from research and development to commercial production, ultimately addressing global health challenges.

Qloudlab is a pioneering company known for inventing the world's first touchscreen-based biosensor. The company has developed Sceptre, a modular platform that enables multiple diagnostics at the Point-of-Care through a single, mobile device capable of conducting various tests, including blood, urine, saliva, and skin analyses. This innovative technology bridges the gap between smartphones, healthcare, and cloud solutions, offering a cost-effective approach to diagnostics. Complementing this, Loop Medical focuses on revolutionizing blood collection by providing a needleless, pain-free technology. This device collects blood samples using a proprietary cartridge that integrates seamlessly with standard laboratory processes, enhancing the convenience for both patients and healthcare professionals. Together, these innovations represent a significant advancement in accessible and efficient medical diagnostics.

Phase Genomics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Seattle, Washington, founded in 2015. The company specializes in developing innovative technology for genome assembly and metagenome deconvolution, focusing on its ProxiMeta Hi-C platform. This platform empowers researchers in various fields, including agriculture, human health, and industrial biology, by enabling the cultivation-independent assembly of bacterial genomes. By exploiting the structure of DNA, Phase Genomics aims to provide scientists with the most complete and accurate genomes and metagenomes possible, facilitating transformative discoveries and advancements in their respective areas of study.

Particles for Humanity is focused on developing early-stage medical technologies aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals in low-resource settings. The organization formulates a portfolio of healthcare products designed to improve vaccination rates and combat malnutrition. By incorporating end-user input into its rigorous product development process, Particles for Humanity seeks to create financially sustainable solutions that address serious medical challenges faced by these communities.

Evolve Biosystems, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Davis, California, focused on developing and marketing probiotic-based biotherapeutics aimed at establishing, restoring, and maintaining a healthy human microbiome. The company specializes in addressing gut dysbiosis across the human life cycle, particularly in newborns during their first six months of life. Evolve Biosystems utilizes a platform that combines specific probiotic bacteria with prebiotic oligosaccharides to create effective delivery systems. Their products include consumer-directed solutions for home use as well as specialized formulations for neonatal intensive care units. In addition to human health, the company also applies its discovery platform to address similar microbiome issues in production animals. Evolve Biosystems was incorporated in 2011.

Visterra, Inc. engages in pharmaceutical drug research and development of therapeutic and diagnostic products for infectious diseases. It also provides structure-based design of therapeutics and diagnostic platforms, based on an understanding of glycobiology and glycochemistry. The company was formerly known as Parasol Therapeutics, Inc. and changed its name in May 2010. Visterra, Inc. was founded in 2007 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Qloudlab is a pioneering company known for inventing the world's first touchscreen-based biosensor. The company has developed Sceptre, a modular platform that enables multiple diagnostics at the Point-of-Care through a single, mobile device capable of conducting various tests, including blood, urine, saliva, and skin analyses. This innovative technology bridges the gap between smartphones, healthcare, and cloud solutions, offering a cost-effective approach to diagnostics. Complementing this, Loop Medical focuses on revolutionizing blood collection by providing a needleless, pain-free technology. This device collects blood samples using a proprietary cartridge that integrates seamlessly with standard laboratory processes, enhancing the convenience for both patients and healthcare professionals. Together, these innovations represent a significant advancement in accessible and efficient medical diagnostics.

Univercells is a provider of biomanufacturing solutions focused on making biologics, including vaccines and therapeutics, more accessible and affordable. The company offers innovative technologies designed to reduce manufacturing costs significantly, achieving up to 90% savings on the cost of goods and over 75% in capital investment. Their approach utilizes single-use technologies and integrates three manufacturing steps—cell culture under perfusion, clarification, and capture—into a simulated continuous mode. Univercells also provides a range of biomanufacturing services, including scale-X hydro, scale-X carbo, and NevoLine, along with integrated support such as equipment confirmation, facility design, and bioprocess excellence. This comprehensive offering aids cell and gene therapy manufacturers in scaling their operations from research and development to commercial production, ultimately addressing global health challenges.

AgBiome, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Durham, North Carolina, that focuses on developing biological products to address significant challenges in agriculture, particularly soil-borne diseases affecting greenhouse and major row crops. Utilizing advanced genomics and screening technologies, AgBiome identifies plant-associated microbes that can enhance plant health, improve pest resistance, and increase crop yields. The company operates a state-of-the-art laboratory and greenhouse facility and collaborates with prominent agricultural firms to expedite its research and product development. AgBiome's offerings include fungicides that protect crops from various diseases and a platform for capturing and screening diverse microbes for agricultural applications. Established in 2012, AgBiome aims to provide sustainable solutions that support global food production and address critical agricultural issues such as insect and nematode control.

Atomo Diagnostics was established to capitalize on a core belief that health care products offering significantly improved levels of convenience, simplicity and user experience are disproportionately disruptive and have the potential to be very successful commercial market entrants. Having identified the usability challenges and in-field limitations of existing RDT products, Atomo worked closely with healthcare workers and consumers in a range of settings and determined that by integrating all the test components into a streamlined, end-to-end solution it could significantly improve safety and accuracy and reduce user error rates. This focus on usability and how end users interact with the RDT is one of the key aspects that sets Atomo apart from its competition in the POCT market. Its unique design and patented features mean that AtomoRapid™ addresses and eliminates the vast majority of user errors identified as impacting the performance of standard RDTs in the field. AtomoRapid™ makes it easy to convert proven diagnostic technologies into user-friendly products that deliver unmatched customer satisfaction and in-field performance. These products are successful due to their ability to materially improve usability, convenience, and reliability for both professional and home users. It is this unswerving focus on exceeding user expectations that the management team has applied to the diagnostic market; a market that has to date seen little user-centric innovation. Atomo Diagnostics is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with corporate offices located in South Africa the UK. The company is led by an executive team with a track record of success commercializing disruptive healthcare products, and the company has assembled an experienced and committed international management team and Board and advisors.

Affinivax, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Lexington, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative vaccines using its proprietary Multiple Antigen Presenting System (MAPS) technology. This approach allows for the combination of protective polysaccharides and proteins into a single vaccine, thereby enhancing immune responses against a variety of infectious diseases affecting both children and adults. Affinivax targets several significant pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, bacterial nosocomial infections, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus. The company aims to create vaccines that not only provide broader disease coverage compared to existing options but also address infectious diseases lacking effective immunization strategies. Founded in 2014, Affinivax benefits from the expertise of leading professionals in infectious diseases and vaccines, and it has received backing from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, along with an exclusive license from Boston Children’s Hospital for its MAPS technology.

AgBiome, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Durham, North Carolina, that focuses on developing biological products to address significant challenges in agriculture, particularly soil-borne diseases affecting greenhouse and major row crops. Utilizing advanced genomics and screening technologies, AgBiome identifies plant-associated microbes that can enhance plant health, improve pest resistance, and increase crop yields. The company operates a state-of-the-art laboratory and greenhouse facility and collaborates with prominent agricultural firms to expedite its research and product development. AgBiome's offerings include fungicides that protect crops from various diseases and a platform for capturing and screening diverse microbes for agricultural applications. Established in 2012, AgBiome aims to provide sustainable solutions that support global food production and address critical agricultural issues such as insect and nematode control.

SureChill is a company that has developed an innovative cooling technology capable of maintaining a consistent temperature of 4ºC for extended periods without the need for power, utilizing the unique properties of water. Launched in 2011, its vaccine refrigerators have surpassed the stringent standards set by the World Health Organization, making them invaluable in the medical market. SureChill's technology is instrumental in vaccine preservation, with significant usage by organizations like UNICEF across 46 countries, thereby contributing to global health by ensuring effective vaccine delivery in developing regions. The company has garnered recognition for its impact on the vaccine cold chain, including a $1.5 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation aimed at enhancing this critical infrastructure.

Visterra, Inc. engages in pharmaceutical drug research and development of therapeutic and diagnostic products for infectious diseases. It also provides structure-based design of therapeutics and diagnostic platforms, based on an understanding of glycobiology and glycochemistry. The company was formerly known as Parasol Therapeutics, Inc. and changed its name in May 2010. Visterra, Inc. was founded in 2007 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Zyomyx has a unique expertise in and passion for tackling difficult “outside-the-box” problems. Highly user-friendly, instrument-free point-of-care tests need to be designed with an advanced level of cartridge engineering and reagent stability, and aligned with aggressive cost targets. Zyomyx specializes in exactly these demanding product requirements. Our immediate focus is an advanced, but simple to use and inexpensive CD4 T-cell point-of-care test that will be launched globally and configured to especially meet the demanding specifications for use in low and middle income countries.

SureChill is a company that has developed an innovative cooling technology capable of maintaining a consistent temperature of 4ºC for extended periods without the need for power, utilizing the unique properties of water. Launched in 2011, its vaccine refrigerators have surpassed the stringent standards set by the World Health Organization, making them invaluable in the medical market. SureChill's technology is instrumental in vaccine preservation, with significant usage by organizations like UNICEF across 46 countries, thereby contributing to global health by ensuring effective vaccine delivery in developing regions. The company has garnered recognition for its impact on the vaccine cold chain, including a $1.5 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation aimed at enhancing this critical infrastructure.

Visterra, Inc. engages in pharmaceutical drug research and development of therapeutic and diagnostic products for infectious diseases. It also provides structure-based design of therapeutics and diagnostic platforms, based on an understanding of glycobiology and glycochemistry. The company was formerly known as Parasol Therapeutics, Inc. and changed its name in May 2010. Visterra, Inc. was founded in 2007 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

YourBio Health is focused on revolutionizing the blood sampling and testing process to enhance the interaction between diagnostic medicine and healthcare consumers. The company has developed a blood collection device that allows for convenient and virtually painless blood testing. Utilizing its proprietary Touch Activated Phlebotomy (TAP) technology, the device enables users to collect blood from their upper arm with a simple push of a button, facilitating easy and rapid diagnostic testing in various settings. This innovative approach aims to eliminate barriers in acquiring critical diagnostic information, thereby promoting informed healthcare delivery and empowering patients to take an active role in their well-being. By integrating TAP technology with a range of diagnostic assays, YourBio Health seeks to improve both patient and clinician experiences in the healthcare landscape.