National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.

James Donlon

Program Director

Debasis Majumdar

Program Director

Graciela Narcho

Staff Associate

Sethuraman Panchanathan

Director

Past deals in Pharmaceuticals

University of Washington

Grant in 2024
The University of Washington is a prominent educational institution located in Seattle, Washington, founded in 1861. It offers a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and research programs across various fields, including business, social sciences, science, law, medicine, and public affairs. The university comprises several specialized schools, such as the College of Engineering, School of Dentistry, School of Pharmacy, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, School of Business, School of Humanities and Sciences, School of Law, School of Nursing, and College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences. In addition to its academic offerings, the university is dedicated to fostering innovation through CoMotion, which provides resources and support to help researchers and students translate their ideas into tangible societal and economic benefits.

The Wistar Institute

Grant in 2024
The Wistar Institute is the first independent institution in the United States dedicated to medical research and training, recognized for its significant contributions to biomedical science. Originally established as an anatomical teaching museum, it has transformed into a leading center for basic biomedical research and was designated a National Cancer Institute Cancer Center in 1972. The institute specializes in research areas including immunology, infectious diseases, and vaccine development. Its groundbreaking discoveries have facilitated the creation of vaccines for diseases such as rabies, rubella, and rotavirus, as well as the identification of genes linked to various cancers, including breast, lung, and prostate cancer. Additionally, Wistar has played a crucial role in advancing monoclonal antibodies and other vital research technologies, fostering a collaborative environment aimed at addressing critical health challenges.

MelliCell

Grant in 2024
MelliCell is focused on combating chronic diseases through innovative tissue engineering technology, specifically targeting fat cells as a source of therapeutic adipokines. Their platform enables the conversion of human stem cells into large, mature fat cells, which can be used to develop drug therapies aimed at reducing fat mass while preserving lean mass. This unique approach is designed to address conditions such as obesity, diabetes, aging, oncology, and inflammation. MelliCell's team has garnered recognition through awards and partnerships with leading biopharma companies, validating their technology. By advancing oral small molecules that shrink fat cells, MelliCell aims to enhance health outcomes and improve the quality of life for individuals affected by these diseases.

Epidaurus Health

Seed Round in 2023
Blockchain-based SaaS for pharmacy benefits management

University of Washington

Grant in 2023
The University of Washington is a prominent educational institution located in Seattle, Washington, founded in 1861. It offers a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and research programs across various fields, including business, social sciences, science, law, medicine, and public affairs. The university comprises several specialized schools, such as the College of Engineering, School of Dentistry, School of Pharmacy, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, School of Business, School of Humanities and Sciences, School of Law, School of Nursing, and College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences. In addition to its academic offerings, the university is dedicated to fostering innovation through CoMotion, which provides resources and support to help researchers and students translate their ideas into tangible societal and economic benefits.

Transparent Path

Grant in 2023
Transparent Path is a logistics technology company focused on enhancing supply chain visibility for perishable goods, addressing issues of waste, cost, and risk. Founded in 2018 and restructured as a social purpose corporation in 2020, the company combines advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and machine vision to modernize outdated supply chain practices. Their flagship product, the Transparent Path Visibility Platform, utilizes cellular sensors affixed to pallets, providing real-time data on location and environmental conditions to prevent spoilage and ensure product safety. Additional offerings include FreshScore, a predictive freshness algorithm that helps optimize product routing, and ProofScore, an algorithm that evaluates transparency in supply chains. These innovations not only help reduce operational losses but also promote environmental sustainability by minimizing waste. Transparent Path serves a diverse clientele, including sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, and construction chemicals, and has established partnerships with notable organizations like Intel and ReFED. The company is actively working towards scaling its operations and expanding its offerings.

Senseer

Grant in 2022
Senseer Health, founded in 2017, focuses on addressing the chronic disease market by developing Smart Medical Device Therapies for managing various chronic conditions, which affect a significant portion of older adults. The company's innovations began with patented microsensors that monitor implantable devices for patients with hydrocephalus, renal, and cardiovascular diseases. To enhance the effectiveness of these microsensor-enabled devices, Senseer has incorporated advanced wearable and ambient sensor technologies. The integration of these multi-modal sensor technologies with an IoT software platform allows for the utilization of proprietary data sets and predictive analytics. This comprehensive approach provides healthcare providers with tools for remote monitoring and timely interventions, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of life for individuals with chronic conditions while reducing costs and enhancing patient safety.

Claria Medical

Grant in 2022
Claria Medical is a pre-commercial medical device start-up focused on developing innovative solutions for women's healthcare, specifically targeting unmet needs in gynecologic surgery. The company specializes in creating minimally invasive surgical tools designed to enhance procedures such as hysterectomy and myomectomy. Claria Medical has received recognition for its early achievements, including a “Safer Technologies Designation” from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, the company has secured funding through private investments as well as grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health to support its product development efforts. By providing specialized surgical assistance, Claria Medical aims to improve outcomes for women undergoing these procedures.

The Tiny Cargo

Grant in 2022
Tiny Cargo specializes in a unique drug delivery system utilizing non-immunogenic bovine milk-derived exosomes. This innovative approach allows for the effective oral or intravenous administration of potent therapeutics. The company focuses on delivering treatments for various serious health conditions, including ischemic heart disease, gastrointestinal radiation disease, and glioblastoma multiforme, among others. By leveraging its technology, Tiny Cargo aims to enhance the delivery of peptide drugs, making it applicable to a wide range of current peptide therapeutics and improving patient outcomes in the treatment of neurological and other pathologies.

QSimulate

Grant in 2022
QSimulate is a Boston-based company that develops cloud-based quantitative simulation tools aimed at addressing complex challenges in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. By harnessing the principles of quantum mechanics, QSimulate’s platform facilitates quantum molecular simulations, allowing clients to tackle industrial-scale problems more effectively. The tools offered by the company automate workflows, relieving computational scientists of routine tasks and thereby increasing productivity. This innovation enables organizations to accelerate their research and development processes, ultimately enhancing their capacity to innovate and solve critical issues in their fields.

Brio

Grant in 2022
Brio provides strategic resourcing solutions to the biopharma, pharmaceutical, CRO, and medical device industries. They are skilled search experts with a passion for the science and art of recruiting, introducing only the best talent to preeminent companies.

Simmbion

Grant in 2022
Simmbion specializes in innovative therapeutic solutions by utilizing symbionts to manufacture therapeutic agents directly within the human body, effectively transforming it into a living pharmacy. This technology aims to eliminate the challenges associated with traditional therapy manufacturing, such as the need for complex production processes, repeated injections, and temperature-sensitive storage. By providing a single injection that lasts up to 12 weeks, Simmbion's approach addresses supply chain disruptions and enhances affordability and accessibility of cell therapies for diverse patient populations. Their adaptable and universally immune compatible systems focus on delivering biological drugs directly in vivo, supporting a patient-centric and outcome-driven healthcare model while minimizing the risks of infections and immune rejection.

Window Therapeutics

Grant in 2022
Window Therapeutics is focused on discovering and developing innovative therapeutics to meet significant unmet patient needs in cancer and other severe diseases. The company specializes in breakthrough cancer treatments designed to specifically target and penetrate diseased tissue while sparing healthy cells. Utilizing a bioinspired cylindrical design, their therapies are engineered to home in on cancer sites, enhancing their effectiveness and addressing key challenges in cancer treatment. This targeted approach aims to accelerate drug development and reduce the risks associated with traditional therapies, ultimately improving outcomes for patients facing life-threatening conditions.

Stochastic Research Technologies

Grant in 2022
Stochastic Research Technologies specializes in delivering fundamental and applied research focused on algorithms, methods, and tools that address challenges in energy, environmental sustainability, molecular modeling, process management, supply chain management, and biomedical engineering. The company develops software solutions aimed at resolving complex issues in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical sectors. By leveraging modeling, optimization under uncertainty, and process control, Stochastic Research Technologies enables clients across various industries to access effective solutions tailored to their specific needs.

Nostopharma

Grant in 2022
Nostopharma specializes in developing treatments for pathologic bone growth, aiming to prevent rare bone diseases and minimize complications from traumatic injuries. The company offers a nanoparticle drug delivery system that addresses soft tissue trauma complications, facilitating the formation of new bone after surgeries, burns, and other traumatic incidents. By enhancing the recovery process, Nostopharma's innovative approach supports healthcare providers in improving clinical outcomes for patients undergoing surgical procedures related to post-traumatic injuries. Additionally, the company's efforts contribute to reducing rehabilitation costs for society.

InvVax

Grant in 2022
InvVax, Inc. is a vaccine development company based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2012. The company focuses on creating innovative vaccines, with its primary product being a universal influenza vaccine aimed at preventing pandemics. Utilizing a proprietary platform, InvVax's technology analyzes influenza proteins to address virus mutations, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of vaccines. In addition to its work on influenza, InvVax is exploring vaccine candidates for other viral infections, including HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

Isolere Bio

Grant in 2022
Isolere Bio is a biotechnology company dedicated to simplifying the purification of biotherapeutics, particularly monoclonal antibodies and Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAV). Co-founded with the aim of enhancing global access to essential drugs, Isolere Bio develops innovative manufacturing technologies that utilize a straightforward Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) setup. This approach facilitates a seamless transition from laboratory-scale processes to large-scale industrial production, thereby improving efficiency within the bioprocessing industry. As monoclonal antibodies continue to gain prominence as effective therapeutics and important research tools, Isolere Bio's work plays a crucial role in advancing the development of new diagnostics and treatments.

MBF Therapeutics

Grant in 2021
MBF Therapeutics, Inc. is a veterinary oncology company that specializes in developing and commercializing innovative therapies for cancer treatment in dogs and cats. The company's product portfolio features targeted immunotherapies and small molecule drugs designed to disrupt tumor cell metabolism while sparing healthy tissues. Key products include MBFT-101, a combination therapy for sarcomas and lymphoma that utilizes a proprietary polyamine transport inhibitor alongside a potent inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, and MBFT-102, an immunotherapy based on the tumor suppressor/cytokine mda-7/IL24, which has shown promise in human clinical trials for various advanced cancers. Additionally, MBF Therapeutics is advancing a gene-based vaccine platform aimed at improving treatments for both cancer and infectious diseases in animals, with the potential to transform veterinary medicine. The company is located in Ambler, Pennsylvania, and maintains a strategic partnership with the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research.

OPOS

Grant in 2021
OPOS operates a patient monitoring and opioid prescriber compliance platform designed to assist primary care and pain specialists across various practice settings. The company focuses on ensuring that opioid prescribers adhere to guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state authorities, and medical boards. By providing documented evidence of compliance, along with clinical decision support, OPOS enables healthcare providers to enhance patient outcomes and assess individual and collective risks associated with patients, prescribers, and practices. Their services not only promote regulatory compliance but also aim to reduce prescribing risks and administrative overhead, thus generating revenue through improved operational efficiency in opioid treatment.

BioSapien

Grant in 2021
BioSapien is a pre-clinical biotechnology company focused on creating innovative biodegradable implantable products for oncology applications. The company is developing a 3D-printed drug delivery platform that utilizes a biodegradable mesh to deliver active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) directly to tumor sites, thereby minimizing systemic side effects associated with traditional therapies. Their flagship product, the MediChip, is designed to administer FDA-approved high-dose systemic therapies in a localized and sustained manner, enhancing the quality of patient care. Current research is focused on applications for pancreatic and lung cancers, with plans to expand the pipeline to include other types such as colorectal, breast, and stomach cancers. By targeting drug delivery directly to cancerous tissues, BioSapien aims to improve treatment efficacy while reducing toxicity for patients.

Aracari Biosciences

Grant in 2021
Aracari Biosciences specializes in developing advanced 3D Vascularized Micro-Organ platforms aimed at improving the drug discovery process. These platforms enhance the biological authenticity of pre-clinical testing by allowing for real-time imaging of vessel morphology, which facilitates the investigation of lead compound efficacy against tumors in a three-dimensional environment. The technology is designed to adapt to various physiological conditions and can be perfused with fluorophore-tagged dextrans of different molecular weights. This capability assists pharmaceutical companies in making informed decisions and accelerates the development of new drugs.

Clairways

Grant in 2021
Clairways specializes in smart lung monitoring technology designed for pharmaceutical clinical trials. The company develops a wearable digital lung monitor that captures critical respiratory metrics for individuals suffering from conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis (CF). Fitted to the body, this device employs acoustic sensors and machine learning technology to detect and characterize various respiratory metrics. The collected data is presented in an accessible format, allowing healthcare providers to easily monitor and assess patients' respiratory health over the long term.

Felix Biotechnology

Grant in 2021
Felix Biotechnology, founded in 2019 and based in San Francisco, California, is focused on developing biotherapeutics aimed at addressing microbial challenges in human health, particularly antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria and fungi. The company aims to accelerate the deployment of innovative treatments for infectious diseases, enabling healthcare professionals to manage these urgent health threats effectively. Through its targeted approach, Felix Biotechnology seeks to provide precise and effective solutions to combat the growing issue of antibiotic resistance.

Niche Biomedical

Grant in 2021
Niche Biomedical is a platform and therapy development firm that specializes in creating innovative solutions for chronic injuries and disorders that have not responded to traditional pharmacological treatments. The company has developed ANEUVO®, which focuses on addressing these challenging medical conditions. Among its notable innovations is ExaStim®, a non-invasive neuromodulation system that has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. Additionally, Niche Biomedical is advancing a gastrointestinal therapeutic device aimed at alleviating postoperative ileus and restoring gastrointestinal motility. This device leverages bioelectronic medicine to revolutionize treatment options for various diseases and injuries that are difficult to manage with conventional pharmaceuticals. The company is also capable of developing miniaturized implantable devices that maintain sophisticated functionality, allowing for targeted neuromodulation therapies.

Kodikaz Therapeutic Solutions

Grant in 2021
Kodikaz Therapeutic Solutions is focused on advancing cancer treatment by developing targeted therapies aimed at eradicating cancers while minimizing side effects. The company utilizes its innovative Zip-Code™ Technology platform, a first-in-class delivery system that facilitates cell-specific genomic transfer for both RNA and DNA applications. Rooted in discoveries from human cancers, this platform addresses the limitations associated with traditional viral delivery methods, providing a more effective and safer alternative. Kodikaz's research generates valuable in-vitro and in-vivo data across various oncological applications, including pancreatic, myeloma, and colorectal cancers, supporting the development of curative gene transfer technologies.

Nano PharmaSolutions

Grant in 2021
Nano PharmaSolutions specializes in enhancing the bioavailability of insoluble drugs through its proprietary nanoformulation technology. The company has developed an innovative phase-transition technology platform that significantly improves the solubility of BCS 2 and BCS 4 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) without the need for excipients, which are typically used in traditional processes like spray-dry dispersion and emulsification. By vaporizing the API and depositing it onto a carrier molecule, Nano PharmaSolutions enables the production of nanoparticles that can be processed into various dosage forms. Additionally, the company focuses on delivering neurodegenerative therapeutics directly to the brain via an intranasal route, facilitating a rapid onset of action and enhancing safety profiles. Their pipeline includes treatments for conditions such as Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, and substance abuse disorders, positioning Nano PharmaSolutions as a key player in the field of nanomedicine.

Ancilia Bio

Grant in 2021
Ancilia Biosciences focuses on developing engineered bacterial therapies aimed at treating diseases associated with the microbiome. The company specializes in creating virus-resistant live bacterial products that modulate the human microbiome, specifically targeting the viral components within the gut microbiome. By concentrating on healthy gut bacteria and their predatory phages, Ancilia engineers resistant bacterial strains to combat diseases. Its innovative approach includes the development of a new class of live biotherapeutics that allows medical professionals to target specific phages or viruses that induce lysis, with applications in immunology and oncology.

MedChem Partners

Grant in 2021
MedChem Partners is a medicinal chemistry CRO that specializes in developing small molecule therapeutics. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Paramita Therapeutics

Grant in 2021
Paramita Therapeutics is a biotech company established in 2018 and based in San Diego, California. The company is dedicated to developing innovative therapeutics for cancer and infectious diseases. It specializes in efficiently transitioning new therapeutics into clinical settings using a patented, multifunctional chemical platform. This approach allows Paramita Therapeutics to create multivalent drug conjugates derived from recognized and approved molecules with established safety and toxicology profiles. By leveraging its expertise, the company aims to provide patients with access to effective cancer treatments and dual-function therapeutic and vaccine products.

Avior Bio

Grant in 2021
Avior Bio is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative treatments for neurological conditions and pruritus in patients with liver disease. The company utilizes its proprietary Speedit™ Transmucosal Film Technology, which allows for effective drug delivery by bypassing first-pass metabolism and minimizing the production of glucuronide metabolites excreted by the kidneys. This technology aims to provide significant relief from various symptoms, including insomnia, anxiety, depression, and excoriation. With a strong management team, an experienced advisory board, and dedicated scientists, Avior Bio is well-positioned to deliver safe and effective therapeutic solutions to improve patient outcomes.

Desert Valley Tech

Grant in 2021
Desert Valley Tech, founded in 2018 and based in Mesa, Arizona, specializes in developing cold chain storage systems designed to preserve temperature-sensitive items such as blood, pharmaceuticals, biologics, and organs. The company's innovative system maintains pre-set temperatures while optimizing power consumption, providing customizable modular storage solutions suited for various scenarios. This technology enhances the ability of medical professionals to ensure the safe transport and storage of critical medical supplies, ultimately improving survival rates in challenging and remote medical environments.

Verantos

Grant in 2021
Verantos is the market leader in high-validity real-world evidence for life sciences. By incorporating robust clinical narrative data, artificial intelligence technology, and measured validity, Verantos is the first company to generate research-grade evidence at scale across all therapeutic areas. The Verantos Evidence Platform integrates heterogeneous real-world data sources and generates evidence with the accuracy necessary for market access, HEOR, medical affairs, and regulatory use.

SpheroFill

Grant in 2021
SpheroFill is a drug delivery platform that specializes in the development of injectable tissue fillers, particularly for treating age-related atrophy in the larynx. The company utilizes a unique combination of solid, hollow, and porous-wall hollow glass microspheres mixed with biocompatible and bioactive matrices. This innovative approach enhances the delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in various forms, including solids, liquids, and gases. By improving compliance through reduced dosing frequency and enabling previously impossible oral formulations, SpheroFill is positioned as a leader in advancing drug delivery technology, offering healthcare professionals enhanced devices for more effective treatments.

Ballydel Technologies

Grant in 2021
Ballydel Technologies is a research and development company founded in 2018 and based in Newark, Delaware. The company focuses on creating innovative material and technology solutions for various sectors, including space exploration, defense, public health, and societal applications. Ballydel specializes in areas such as nanocomposite design and synthesis, hypersonic materials and manufacturing, as well as pharmaceutical tagging and authentication. Through its expertise, Ballydel aims to assist clients in enhancing their existing products and optimizing their manufacturing processes.

Talus Bio

Grant in 2021
Talus Bio is a biotech startup focused on drug discovery, particularly in the development of therapies targeting gene regulators for cancer treatment. The company utilizes a data-enabled platform that combines functional proteomics, automated biology, and machine learning to address the challenges associated with cancer transcription factors. Its proprietary MARMOT platform employs advanced techniques such as AI, quantitative proteomics, synthetic chemistry, and computational biology to design and analyze small-molecule drugs and proteins. This innovative approach aims to enhance drug development processes in the oncology sector, facilitating advancements in gene regulation and contributing to more effective cancer therapies.

Infini Fluidics

Grant in 2021
Infini Fluidics develops injectable drug delivery systems intended to treat diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. They provide injectable drug delivery systems at an industrial scale on a portable chip, combining microfluidics with semiconductor technology, enabling patients, healthcare providers, and facilities to get access to lifesaving drugs.

Sunthetics

Grant in 2021
Sunthetics specializes in the development of smart electrochemical reactors aimed at enhancing the efficiency of chemical manufacturing, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. The company's innovative hardware and machine-learning software significantly reduce the time and costs associated with process development, achieving results in one-tenth of the traditional timeframe. This technology not only minimizes energy consumption by 40% but also eliminates the use of toxic chemicals and waste, promoting sustainability. While the primary focus is on pharmaceuticals, Sunthetics' platform technology is adaptable and can be extended to other markets, including agrochemicals and specialty chemicals. By streamlining the development process and enabling the rapid creation of new electrochemical lead molecules, Sunthetics plays a pivotal role in advancing the electrification of the chemical industry.

New Horizon Biotech

Grant in 2021
New Horizon Biotech specializes in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical products, focusing on optimizing supply chains and ensuring consistent quality globally at a reduced cost. The company is finalizing tests of its patented Single Use Horizontal Fermentor system (SUHF™), which is designed for single-use microbial fermentation. This innovative system is set to enhance production efficiencies and operational cost savings, offering significant advantages over traditional fermentor designs. By improving the microbial fermentation process, New Horizon Biotech aims to support the production of high-value biopharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, vaccines, and therapeutic proteins, thereby strengthening the global competitive edge of its clients.

Quick-Med Technologies

Grant in 2021
Quick-Med Technologies, Inc. is a life sciences company dedicated to developing proprietary technologies aimed at infection prevention and control in both medical and consumer healthcare markets. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, the company specializes in biomedical products and devices with antibacterial applications. Its core technologies include Novel Intrinsically Micro-Bonded Utility Substrate (NIMBUS), a series of advanced polymers with antimicrobial and hemostatic properties; Stay Fresh, a chemical formulation for textiles that provides durable antimicrobial protection; and MultiStat, which comprises patented methods and compounds for skin therapy. Quick-Med serves a diverse range of clients, including government agencies, healthcare providers, and companies in the apparel, textile, and personal care sectors.

VeriSIM Life

Grant in 2021
VeriSIM Life, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Francisco, California, established in 2017. It specializes in developing disease-specific biosimulation models that utilize artificial intelligence to predict the clinical outcomes of new drugs prior to clinical trials. The company offers a range of tailored solutions designed for pre-clinical and clinical programs, all centered around its validated BIOiSIM platform, which accommodates small molecules, large molecules, and viruses. By replacing traditional animal testing with sophisticated software simulations, VeriSIM Life aims to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of drug development, ultimately contributing to increased human life expectancy and the personalization of healthcare treatments.

Spero Therapeutics

Grant in 2021
Spero Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dedicated to developing innovative treatments for multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections and rare diseases. Founded in 2013, the company is advancing several product candidates, including tebipenem pivoxil hydrobromide, an oral carbapenem-class antibiotic aimed at treating MDR gram-negative infections in adults. Additionally, Spero is developing SPR206, an intravenous agent for MDR gram-negative infections in hospital settings, and SPR720, an oral antibiotic targeting pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease. The company collaborates with various partners, including Meiji Seika Pharma to support tebipenem HBr's development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute for SPR720. Spero Therapeutics employs a focused approach to drug development, emphasizing novel mechanisms to address the urgent need for effective therapeutics against serious bacterial infections.

Souvie Biodelivery

Grant in 2021
Souvie Biodelivery, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, specializes in drug delivery services aimed at niche markets. The company focuses on developing innovative drug delivery platforms utilizing nanotechnology, particularly engineered exosomes. These exosomes are designed for targeted tissue and site-specific delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). By enhancing biocompatibility and non-immunogenicity, Souvie Biodelivery aims to protect APIs from degradation and improve their specificity and efficacy. This approach has the potential to significantly reduce adverse drug reactions, allowing patients to avoid the side effects commonly associated with traditional drug therapies.

GMJ Technologies

Grant in 2021
GMJ Technologies, founded in 2018 and based in Seattle, Washington, specializes in developing microanalytical technologies for biopharmaceutical and biomedical applications. The company focuses on creating robust analytical tools and integrated technologies that enhance proteomics and protein-based biologics workflows. By streamlining research, development, and manufacturing processes, GMJ Technologies aims to advance the capabilities of analytical methodologies in the life sciences sector.

Akanocure Pharmaceuticals

Grant in 2021
Akanocure Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative anti-cancer chemotherapeutic drugs aimed at treating various forms of cancer. The company is dedicated to finding therapeutic approaches that effectively block the metastatic processes responsible for 90% of cancer-related deaths. By harnessing the expertise of its team throughout the drug discovery and development phases, Akanocure aims to create novel small molecules derived from natural resources. These bio-targeted therapeutics are designed not only to combat cancer but also to alleviate the side effects associated with chemotherapy and other cancer treatments, ultimately improving the quality of life for patients.

Ubiros

Grant in 2020
Ubiros specializes in the production of food-grade robotic grippers designed for automation in the food and beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors. Their innovative electrically actuated soft grippers, such as the gentle flex module, gentle duo, and gentle pro, enable precise handling of fragile objects without causing damage. These grippers operate without an external air source, which reduces costs, complexity, and noise typically associated with traditional pneumatic or vacuum systems. By utilizing materials like polyurethane, Ubiros provides effective control over gripping force and movement, facilitating the automation of material handling in non-traditional industries.

TEGA Therapeutics

Grant in 2020
TEGA Therapeutics, Inc. is focused on developing glycoscience-related technologies aimed at treating life-threatening diseases. Founded in 2013 and based in La Jolla, California, the company specializes in enhancing the delivery of enzyme replacement therapies to the brain, particularly for lysosomal storage disorders. By leveraging glycoside-enhanced delivery methods, TEGA addresses significant challenges in reaching the central nervous system, thereby improving treatment outcomes. Additionally, the company produces bio-engineered heparan sulfate and heparin, which play crucial roles in various physiological processes. TEGA's mission is to improve the quality of life for patients by providing innovative solutions for unmet medical needs, utilizing rigorous scientific methods to advance the therapeutic potential of glycans in medicine.

Seven Biosciences

Grant in 2020
Seven Biosciences provides drug discovery platforms for G-protein coupled receptors. The company, based in Davis, California, was founded by Grace Mizuno and Lin Tian.

Claria Medical

Grant in 2020
Claria Medical is a pre-commercial medical device start-up focused on developing innovative solutions for women's healthcare, specifically targeting unmet needs in gynecologic surgery. The company specializes in creating minimally invasive surgical tools designed to enhance procedures such as hysterectomy and myomectomy. Claria Medical has received recognition for its early achievements, including a “Safer Technologies Designation” from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, the company has secured funding through private investments as well as grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health to support its product development efforts. By providing specialized surgical assistance, Claria Medical aims to improve outcomes for women undergoing these procedures.

VaxForm

Grant in 2020
VaxForm LLC specializes in consulting and contract development services focused on vaccine formulation development. Founded in 2010 and based in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, the company supports clients through various stages of the vaccine development process, from project definition to implementation. VaxForm's expertise encompasses formulation development for both mono- and multi-valent bacterial or viral antigens, vaccine combinations, and live attenuated vaccines. Additionally, the company assists with the implementation of regulatory guidelines and provides support in preparing technical reports, scientific manuscripts, and patent applications. It also offers services related to scale antigen fermentation, purification, and the filling of final drug products, thereby aiding healthcare experts in the development of innovative vaccine solutions.

VerImmune

Grant in 2020
VerImmune, based in Baltimore, Maryland, is an immuno-oncology company focused on developing innovative cancer therapies through its proprietary technology, Anti-tumor Immune Redirection Virus-inspired Particles (AIR-ViPs). This unique approach aims to harness pre-existing immune memory from pathogens or childhood vaccines to target and redirect the immune system toward tumors. By doing so, VerImmune seeks to address significant challenges in cancer treatment, particularly for patients with limited options or those who have developed resistance to conventional therapies. The company's strategy promises to offer low toxicity and sustained benefits across a diverse range of cancer types, potentially transforming the treatment landscape for those with difficult-to-treat malignancies.

AgThera

Grant in 2020
AgThera is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative antimicrobial medicines for infectious diseases. The company specializes in advanced probiotics that are engineered to effectively eliminate pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria. AgThera’s platform utilizes probiotic bacteria that express and secrete antimicrobial peptides, providing a novel approach to combatting infections. The company's research and development efforts are supported by grants from the US National Science Foundation and the US Department of Agriculture, enabling the advancement of its AI-enhanced R&D program. AgThera aims to facilitate the development of drugs for both human and livestock use, addressing the growing concern of antibiotic resistance in various medical and agricultural settings.

StabiLux Biosciences

Grant in 2020
StabiLux Biosciences specializes in the production of high-brightness fluorophores aimed at enhancing the performance of reagents used in flow cytometers. The company offers a drop-in platform technology that allows researchers to detect previously undetectable entities while maximizing the capabilities of existing equipment without the need for additional components or software. StabiLux's innovative fluorophores increase brightness across the visible spectrum, significantly improving detection of targeted or cancer cells with minimal noise distortion. This approach enables more effective analysis in various research applications.

A-Alpha Bio

Grant in 2020
A-Alpha Bio, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Seattle, Washington, established in 2017. The company specializes in synthetic biology, offering a platform known as AlphaSeq, which assists pharmaceutical companies in the development of drugs that interact with multiple targets. A-Alpha Bio provides cell-based tools for high-throughput and quantitative measurements of protein interactions, facilitating target discovery, library screening, and preclinical drug characterization. Its proprietary technology enables the mapping of protein-protein interactions at a large scale, allowing for the identification and quantification of interactions among thousands of protein pairs simultaneously. By delivering detailed maps of these interactions, A-Alpha Bio helps researchers identify potential drug targets and understand disease mechanisms, thereby streamlining the therapeutic discovery process and improving the efficiency of drug development. The company comprises a team of experts in synthetic biology, structural biology, and next-generation sequencing, focused on overcoming challenges in the drug development pipeline.

New Equilibrium Biosciences

Grant in 2020
New Equilibrium Biosciences is focused on developing therapeutic drugs aimed at treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The company employs a unique approach that integrates artificial intelligence with quantum chemistry to enhance biophysical experiments. This innovative platform specializes in the research and development of therapeutics that target intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), which are often implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders. By utilizing IDP-specific compound libraries, New Equilibrium Biosciences seeks to identify and exploit transient binding pockets on these proteins, facilitating the discovery of lead drug candidates. This approach aims to improve medical procedures and ultimately contribute to advancements in healthcare.

Prime Labs

Grant in 2020
Prime Labs is a company focused on enhancing drug discovery through its cloud-based software platform, which specializes in mass spectrometry data processing, analysis, reporting, and visualization. The software is designed to support a variety of instruments and workflows, enabling scientists to conduct experiments with greater accuracy and efficiency. By streamlining the data processing experience, Prime Labs offers a user-friendly solution that minimizes the complexity typically associated with such tasks, allowing researchers to focus on their work with minimal training or installation requirements. This innovative approach facilitates a broader range of experiments in a shorter time frame, ultimately contributing to advancements in medical research and drug development.

Caza Health

Grant in 2020
Caza Health is a biotech company specializing in the microbiome, immunology, and oncology. The company was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Earlysville, Virginia.

Intact Therapeutics

Grant in 2020
Intact Therapeutics is a biotechnology company based in Belmont, California, founded in 2015. The company focuses on developing a thermosensitive drug delivery platform, specifically smart gels designed for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, including ulcerative colitis. Their proprietary gel technology remains in a liquid state at room temperature, transforming into a mucoadhesive gel at body temperature. This innovative approach allows for targeted drug delivery, providing localized concentrations of medication while minimizing systemic exposure. The gel's design enhances drug retention, efficacy, and patient comfort, offering a painless healing option for individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases.

VeraMorph

Grant in 2020
VeraMorph is a pharmaceutical company established in 2017 and located in Mansfield, Massachusetts. The company specializes in developing an innovative oral drug delivery technology centered around proprietary oral hydrogel tablets. This technology is designed to enhance drug stability, expedite dissolution rates, and maintain prolonged high saturation levels, allowing for higher drug loading compared to existing formulations. By providing contract manufacturing and formulation services, VeraMorph aims to assist pharmaceutical companies in improving the performance of their products while reducing both costs and the time required to bring new drugs to market.

Advaita

Grant in 2020
Advaita Corporation is a bioinformatics company founded in 2005 and based in Plymouth, Michigan. It specializes in developing software tools designed for the research and pharmaceutical industries, focusing on the analysis of gene expression data. One of its key products, Pathway-Guide, assists biologists and drug researchers in interpreting the extensive data generated from gene-expression experiments. The company also offers consulting services, which include pathway analysis, biological model construction, biomarker identification and prioritization, expression data interpretation, and data interpretation training. Advaita's software integrates multi-omic data from a systems biology perspective, catering to the needs of investigators, core facilities, and enterprise bioinformatics teams.

Proteios Technology

Grant in 2020
Proteios Technology, founded in 2015 and based in Issaquah, Washington, focuses on providing cost-effective solutions for scientists involved in biopharmaceutical development. The company has developed a flexible protein technology that supports the discovery and efficient manufacturing of advanced therapeutics. Its offerings include a fully automated, closed system designed for the isolation of target immune cells, which complies with Current Good Manufacturing Practice for cell therapy manufacturing. Additionally, Proteios Technology provides kits for the purification of recombinant proteins and antibodies, utilizing proprietary affinity tags and silica-based resins. This enables researchers to quickly and economically isolate proteins of interest, facilitating the progression from preclinical discovery to the end-to-end manufacturing of autologous cell therapies.

Oscillo Biosciences

Grant in 2020
Oscillo Biosciences focuses on developing innovative pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. The company has conducted studies to assess the impact of music and multisensory stimulation on brain activity in adults. Oscillo Biosciences creates a prescription medical device and a digital therapeutic that work in tandem to restore healthy brain function in patients experiencing mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Their approach is grounded in the understanding that brain rhythms essential for memory and cognition are disrupted in these patients. Additionally, Oscillo Biosciences develops human-centered technologies aimed at rehabilitating individuals with language, cognitive, and motor impairments, utilizing rhythmic behaviors associated with speech, music, and movement to create effective therapies.

A-Alpha Bio

Grant in 2020
A-Alpha Bio, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Seattle, Washington, established in 2017. The company specializes in synthetic biology, offering a platform known as AlphaSeq, which assists pharmaceutical companies in the development of drugs that interact with multiple targets. A-Alpha Bio provides cell-based tools for high-throughput and quantitative measurements of protein interactions, facilitating target discovery, library screening, and preclinical drug characterization. Its proprietary technology enables the mapping of protein-protein interactions at a large scale, allowing for the identification and quantification of interactions among thousands of protein pairs simultaneously. By delivering detailed maps of these interactions, A-Alpha Bio helps researchers identify potential drug targets and understand disease mechanisms, thereby streamlining the therapeutic discovery process and improving the efficiency of drug development. The company comprises a team of experts in synthetic biology, structural biology, and next-generation sequencing, focused on overcoming challenges in the drug development pipeline.

Inso Biosciences

Grant in 2020
Inso Biosciences is an early-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative hardware platforms and tools for genomic sample handling. Utilizing patented microfluidic technology originally created at Cornell University, the company specializes in high-efficiency processing of cellular material. Inso Biosciences aims to enhance applications in long-read DNA extraction, multiomic sample processing, and pathogen surveillance. Their platform facilitates the separation and isolation of cellular components, thereby supporting healthcare and biotech companies in their biological sample preparation needs.

Akanocure Pharmaceuticals

Grant in 2020
Akanocure Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative anti-cancer chemotherapeutic drugs aimed at treating various forms of cancer. The company is dedicated to finding therapeutic approaches that effectively block the metastatic processes responsible for 90% of cancer-related deaths. By harnessing the expertise of its team throughout the drug discovery and development phases, Akanocure aims to create novel small molecules derived from natural resources. These bio-targeted therapeutics are designed not only to combat cancer but also to alleviate the side effects associated with chemotherapy and other cancer treatments, ultimately improving the quality of life for patients.

IDEM Systems

Grant in 2020
IDEM Systems provides drug testing kits and drug intelligence technology based on academic research. The testing system uses a novel chemical method to identify drugs, including heroin, other opiates, fentanyl and its derivatives, cocaine, and others. Among the devices are a handheld spectrometer, a sample pen, and a mobile application that allows users to access a proprietary database to identify suspect substances on-site accurately.

QCMedchain

Grant in 2020
QCMedchain is a startup focused on transforming the pharmaceutical supply chain through a blockchain-based platform. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the company aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of medicine distribution. Its platform allows for real-time tracking of medications at the package level, ensuring that each product's authenticity is verified and recorded immutably on the network. This capability enables pharmaceutical companies and government entities to monitor the journey of medicines from manufacturing to the end consumer, thereby improving accountability and reducing the risks associated with counterfeit drugs.

Capienda Biotech

Seed Round in 2020
Capienda Biotech focuses on enhancing the drug discovery process by providing an innovative biotechnology platform that significantly reduces the time and cost associated with developing new medicines. By addressing a critical bottleneck in drug discovery, Capienda's advanced bioanalytical system allows for faster and more efficient designs of small molecules, which results in higher quality drugs entering clinical trials. Their high-throughput kinetics system offers a throughput 48 times greater than traditional methods, eliminating the need for specialist scientists. The company's offerings include a laboratory instrument system and assay chemicals, creating a recurring revenue model that supports ongoing research and development efforts.

Niche Biomedical

Grant in 2020
Niche Biomedical is a platform and therapy development firm that specializes in creating innovative solutions for chronic injuries and disorders that have not responded to traditional pharmacological treatments. The company has developed ANEUVO®, which focuses on addressing these challenging medical conditions. Among its notable innovations is ExaStim®, a non-invasive neuromodulation system that has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. Additionally, Niche Biomedical is advancing a gastrointestinal therapeutic device aimed at alleviating postoperative ileus and restoring gastrointestinal motility. This device leverages bioelectronic medicine to revolutionize treatment options for various diseases and injuries that are difficult to manage with conventional pharmaceuticals. The company is also capable of developing miniaturized implantable devices that maintain sophisticated functionality, allowing for targeted neuromodulation therapies.

Inso Biosciences

Grant in 2020
Inso Biosciences is an early-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative hardware platforms and tools for genomic sample handling. Utilizing patented microfluidic technology originally created at Cornell University, the company specializes in high-efficiency processing of cellular material. Inso Biosciences aims to enhance applications in long-read DNA extraction, multiomic sample processing, and pathogen surveillance. Their platform facilitates the separation and isolation of cellular components, thereby supporting healthcare and biotech companies in their biological sample preparation needs.

IonDx

Grant in 2019
IonDX is a bioanalytical instrumentation company that specializes in developing advanced systems for analyzing biologic drugs. With over 40 years of combined experience in analytical instrumentation for biomacromolecules and nanomaterials, the founding members have created innovative ion mobility technology. This patented technology utilizes atmospheric pressure-based ion mobility spectrometry to analyze the native conformations of proteins, protein complexes, and nucleic acid modalities. By providing high-throughput analysis, IonDX supports researchers in conducting comparability studies essential for the development of antibody biotherapeutics, thereby facilitating accelerated drug development and enhancing the understanding of complex biologic drugs.

Aural Analytics

Grant in 2019
Aural Analytics, Inc. is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based company founded in 2015 that focuses on developing applications for monitoring brain health. The company has created a multi-modal brain health analytics platform that utilizes advances in artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and speech analytics to detect changes in neurological health. By leveraging proprietary metrics, Aural Analytics transforms smartphones and tablets into effective brain health monitors, capturing subtle, clinically relevant aspects of a patient's condition through speech samples. This technology enhances traditional functional rating scales used in clinical trials by providing objective, continuous outcomes, thereby allowing for more reliable evaluations of drug efficacy and other interventions. Aural Analytics' platform aims to reveal incremental changes in neurological health, facilitating accurate assessments by medical professionals.

Prime Labs

Grant in 2019
Prime Labs is a company focused on enhancing drug discovery through its cloud-based software platform, which specializes in mass spectrometry data processing, analysis, reporting, and visualization. The software is designed to support a variety of instruments and workflows, enabling scientists to conduct experiments with greater accuracy and efficiency. By streamlining the data processing experience, Prime Labs offers a user-friendly solution that minimizes the complexity typically associated with such tasks, allowing researchers to focus on their work with minimal training or installation requirements. This innovative approach facilitates a broader range of experiments in a shorter time frame, ultimately contributing to advancements in medical research and drug development.

Senseer

Grant in 2019
Senseer Health, founded in 2017, focuses on addressing the chronic disease market by developing Smart Medical Device Therapies for managing various chronic conditions, which affect a significant portion of older adults. The company's innovations began with patented microsensors that monitor implantable devices for patients with hydrocephalus, renal, and cardiovascular diseases. To enhance the effectiveness of these microsensor-enabled devices, Senseer has incorporated advanced wearable and ambient sensor technologies. The integration of these multi-modal sensor technologies with an IoT software platform allows for the utilization of proprietary data sets and predictive analytics. This comprehensive approach provides healthcare providers with tools for remote monitoring and timely interventions, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of life for individuals with chronic conditions while reducing costs and enhancing patient safety.

3D Health Solutions

Grant in 2019
3D Health Solutions, based in Ames, Iowa, specializes in developing 3D canine organoid models derived from adult stem cells. These models mimic the structure and function of real organs, enabling more accurate and humane pre-clinical drug testing. The company's technology accelerates drug screening, improves prediction of drug behavior in the body, and reduces the need for live animal testing, thereby enhancing the efficiency and ethics of drug discovery processes.

Sasya

Grant in 2019
Sasya is a biotech company that produces functional supplements. Its products are applicable across all species including humans, companion animals, and fish.

Azitra

Grant in 2019
Azitra Inc. is a clinical-stage medical dermatology company based in Farmington, Connecticut, focused on developing microbiome-based therapeutics for skin diseases. Established in 2014, Azitra leverages its proprietary platform, which includes a microbial library of bacterial strains, to discover and create novel treatments for adverse skin conditions. The company's technology, developed in collaboration with researchers at Yale University and the Jackson Laboratory, is centered around a specific strain of the natural commensal bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis. Additionally, Azitra employs artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance the screening and prediction of therapeutic characteristics within its microbial library. By utilizing engineered proteins and live biotherapeutic products for topical application, Azitra aims to advance precision dermatology.

Zebra Analytix

Grant in 2019
Zebra Analytix, Inc. specializes in the development and commercialization of miniature gas chromatography systems utilizing microelectromechanical systems technology licensed from Virginia Tech University. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the company offers products such as the Zebra-GC Model L and Modular Zebra-GC Model M, along with micro pre-concentrators. These systems are designed to provide rapid and portable analysis of volatile compounds, making them suitable for applications in various industries including food and beverage quality control, environmental monitoring, pharmaceuticals, and energy sectors. Additionally, Zebra Analytix offers services such as column refurbishment and custom designs tailored for specific research needs. The company's innovative technology features microfabricated chips that allow for multi-channel separations, significantly enhancing the efficiency and versatility of gas analysis.

Advaita

Grant in 2019
Advaita Corporation is a bioinformatics company founded in 2005 and based in Plymouth, Michigan. It specializes in developing software tools designed for the research and pharmaceutical industries, focusing on the analysis of gene expression data. One of its key products, Pathway-Guide, assists biologists and drug researchers in interpreting the extensive data generated from gene-expression experiments. The company also offers consulting services, which include pathway analysis, biological model construction, biomarker identification and prioritization, expression data interpretation, and data interpretation training. Advaita's software integrates multi-omic data from a systems biology perspective, catering to the needs of investigators, core facilities, and enterprise bioinformatics teams.

Abalone Bio

Grant in 2019
Abalone Bio, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Richmond, California, established in 2017. The company specializes in developing full-spectrum antibody drugs aimed at treating various conditions, including pain, inflammatory diseases, rare cancers, and rare kidney diseases. One of its primary focuses is on creating a drug for peripheral neuropathy. Abalone Bio employs innovative techniques that utilize libraries of yeast cells expressing antibody variants to either activate or inhibit specific drug targets, facilitating the production of recombinant protein versions of its antibodies. This approach allows for the confirmation of their efficacy through human cell assays, ultimately enabling medical practitioners to address rare diseases more effectively.

SpIntellx

Grant in 2019
SpIntellx, Inc. is a computational and systems pathology company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializing in spatial intelligence software products for cancer diagnosis. Established in 2017, the company offers innovative solutions such as SpIntellx, which analyzes image data sets from various imaging platforms and reagent types, enabling precise analysis of pathology tissue sections. Additionally, SpIntellx provides HistoMapr, a computational guide for pathologists, and TumorMapr, which examines the spatial interactions of biomarkers within whole slide images using multiplexed fluorescence. By leveraging unbiased spatial analytics powered by explainable AI, SpIntellx aims to enhance the understanding of complex cancer biology, contributing to advancements in medicine and research across drug development, diagnostics, and treatment pipelines.

Trilo Therapeutics

Grant in 2019
Trilo Therapeutics, based in San Francisco and founded by experienced professionals in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors, focuses on developing innovative peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) to overcome the limitations of current antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). The company employs macrocyclic D-amino acid peptides to replace the antibody component, resulting in superior tumor penetration and reduced toxicity compared to traditional L-amino acid peptide-drug conjugates. Trilo's conjugates are designed to be compatible with clinically validated payloads and radionuclides, facilitating new treatment modalities through a "fast in/fast out" mechanism. Additionally, Trilo is engaged in creating novel inhibitors of protein interactions, aiming to target disease-causing proteins for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. This dual focus on peptide-based therapies and protein interaction inhibitors positions Trilo Therapeutics as a leader in developing effective treatments for severe medical conditions.

Clairways

Grant in 2019
Clairways specializes in smart lung monitoring technology designed for pharmaceutical clinical trials. The company develops a wearable digital lung monitor that captures critical respiratory metrics for individuals suffering from conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis (CF). Fitted to the body, this device employs acoustic sensors and machine learning technology to detect and characterize various respiratory metrics. The collected data is presented in an accessible format, allowing healthcare providers to easily monitor and assess patients' respiratory health over the long term.

Isolere Bio

Grant in 2019
Isolere Bio is a biotechnology company dedicated to simplifying the purification of biotherapeutics, particularly monoclonal antibodies and Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAV). Co-founded with the aim of enhancing global access to essential drugs, Isolere Bio develops innovative manufacturing technologies that utilize a straightforward Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) setup. This approach facilitates a seamless transition from laboratory-scale processes to large-scale industrial production, thereby improving efficiency within the bioprocessing industry. As monoclonal antibodies continue to gain prominence as effective therapeutics and important research tools, Isolere Bio's work plays a crucial role in advancing the development of new diagnostics and treatments.

TEGA Therapeutics

Grant in 2019
TEGA Therapeutics, Inc. is focused on developing glycoscience-related technologies aimed at treating life-threatening diseases. Founded in 2013 and based in La Jolla, California, the company specializes in enhancing the delivery of enzyme replacement therapies to the brain, particularly for lysosomal storage disorders. By leveraging glycoside-enhanced delivery methods, TEGA addresses significant challenges in reaching the central nervous system, thereby improving treatment outcomes. Additionally, the company produces bio-engineered heparan sulfate and heparin, which play crucial roles in various physiological processes. TEGA's mission is to improve the quality of life for patients by providing innovative solutions for unmet medical needs, utilizing rigorous scientific methods to advance the therapeutic potential of glycans in medicine.

Aracari Biosciences

Grant in 2019
Aracari Biosciences specializes in developing advanced 3D Vascularized Micro-Organ platforms aimed at improving the drug discovery process. These platforms enhance the biological authenticity of pre-clinical testing by allowing for real-time imaging of vessel morphology, which facilitates the investigation of lead compound efficacy against tumors in a three-dimensional environment. The technology is designed to adapt to various physiological conditions and can be perfused with fluorophore-tagged dextrans of different molecular weights. This capability assists pharmaceutical companies in making informed decisions and accelerates the development of new drugs.

IDEM Systems

Grant in 2019
IDEM Systems provides drug testing kits and drug intelligence technology based on academic research. The testing system uses a novel chemical method to identify drugs, including heroin, other opiates, fentanyl and its derivatives, cocaine, and others. Among the devices are a handheld spectrometer, a sample pen, and a mobile application that allows users to access a proprietary database to identify suspect substances on-site accurately.

Rumi Scientific

Grant in 2019
Rumi Scientific is a research-oriented company focused on developing innovative medications and treatments for genetic disorders affecting the central nervous system, particularly Huntington's Disease. The company utilizes a proprietary human organoid platform that simulates human development in vitro, integrating gene editing techniques with multi-cellular self-organization to create defined diseased embryonic tissues. This advanced platform facilitates drug discovery and high-throughput screening, leveraging artificial intelligence to identify potential treatments. By emphasizing synthetic human embryology in both healthy and diseased contexts, Rumi Scientific aims to advance therapeutic options for numerous genetic conditions that currently lack effective cures. The company's approach combines single-cell, time-lapse imaging with customized analytic tools, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective drug development process that enhances treatment success rates and outcomes for patients.

GMJ Technologies

Grant in 2019
GMJ Technologies, founded in 2018 and based in Seattle, Washington, specializes in developing microanalytical technologies for biopharmaceutical and biomedical applications. The company focuses on creating robust analytical tools and integrated technologies that enhance proteomics and protein-based biologics workflows. By streamlining research, development, and manufacturing processes, GMJ Technologies aims to advance the capabilities of analytical methodologies in the life sciences sector.

VaxForm

Grant in 2019
VaxForm LLC specializes in consulting and contract development services focused on vaccine formulation development. Founded in 2010 and based in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, the company supports clients through various stages of the vaccine development process, from project definition to implementation. VaxForm's expertise encompasses formulation development for both mono- and multi-valent bacterial or viral antigens, vaccine combinations, and live attenuated vaccines. Additionally, the company assists with the implementation of regulatory guidelines and provides support in preparing technical reports, scientific manuscripts, and patent applications. It also offers services related to scale antigen fermentation, purification, and the filling of final drug products, thereby aiding healthcare experts in the development of innovative vaccine solutions.

BioInfoExperts

Grant in 2018
BioInfoExperts specializes in comprehensive molecular surveillance services aimed at understanding infectious disease dynamics and monitoring pathogens. The company offers a range of services, including genomic sequencing, RNA and DNA extraction, data analytics, and cloud-based data visualization. These services are designed to support clients in researching and developing various diagnostic tests while providing essential laboratory capabilities. Through its expertise, BioInfoExperts contributes to advancements in the field of infectious disease management and pathogen tracking.

Dynalene

Grant in 2018
Dynalene Inc. is a company based in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, specializing in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of industrial heat transfer fluids and coolants suitable for ultra-low temperature cryogenic applications. The product range includes glycols, brines, potassium formate, calcium chloride, and high-performance coolants, alongside nanodiamond products and functionalized nano-materials. These offerings cater to various industries, including fuel cells, solar and geothermal applications, HVAC, supermarket refrigeration, plastics manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, Dynalene provides lab services that encompass thermal and physical analysis, chemical testing, and material and corrosion testing. The company, founded in 1993, also sells its products through an online store, ensuring accessibility for its clients.

Elektrofi

Grant in 2018
Elektrofi is a preclinical-stage company based in Boston, Massachusetts, focused on advancing drug delivery methods to enhance patient experiences. Established in 2016, the company has developed a formulation system capable of processing a diverse array of therapeutic molecules, including large and complex proteins such as monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, and fusion proteins. Its innovative technology aims to improve subcutaneous administration, allowing drug manufacturers to create breakthrough therapies that empower patients with more control over how they receive essential medications.

A-Alpha Bio

Grant in 2018
A-Alpha Bio, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Seattle, Washington, established in 2017. The company specializes in synthetic biology, offering a platform known as AlphaSeq, which assists pharmaceutical companies in the development of drugs that interact with multiple targets. A-Alpha Bio provides cell-based tools for high-throughput and quantitative measurements of protein interactions, facilitating target discovery, library screening, and preclinical drug characterization. Its proprietary technology enables the mapping of protein-protein interactions at a large scale, allowing for the identification and quantification of interactions among thousands of protein pairs simultaneously. By delivering detailed maps of these interactions, A-Alpha Bio helps researchers identify potential drug targets and understand disease mechanisms, thereby streamlining the therapeutic discovery process and improving the efficiency of drug development. The company comprises a team of experts in synthetic biology, structural biology, and next-generation sequencing, focused on overcoming challenges in the drug development pipeline.

Plumb Pharmaceuticals

Grant in 2018
Plumb Pharmaceuticals specializes in the development of super-extended-release formulations of weak-base, small-molecule pharmaceuticals through innovative quantload technologies. The company's proprietary lipid nanoparticle technology allows for the production of a diverse range of medications, including stimulants for ADHD, anti-HIV drugs, antibiotics, antipsychotics, cancer chemotherapeutic agents, antihistamines, and analgesics. By enhancing the efficacy and delivery of these pharmaceuticals, Plumb Pharmaceuticals aims to contribute significantly to the healthcare sector and improve overall health outcomes.

Insera Therapeutics

Grant in 2018
Insera Therapeutics is a developer of medical devices focused on treating neurovascular diseases, which are significant contributors to disability and mortality worldwide. The company's innovative devices are engineered to navigate through brain vessels, effectively collecting clots, fat deposits, and debris. This minimally invasive approach allows physicians to address various neurovascular conditions more efficiently, ultimately improving patient outcomes. With the prevalence of stroke affecting over 700,000 individuals annually in the United States alone, Insera Therapeutics aims to provide effective solutions that enhance treatment options for these critical health issues.

Verantos

Grant in 2018
Verantos is the market leader in high-validity real-world evidence for life sciences. By incorporating robust clinical narrative data, artificial intelligence technology, and measured validity, Verantos is the first company to generate research-grade evidence at scale across all therapeutic areas. The Verantos Evidence Platform integrates heterogeneous real-world data sources and generates evidence with the accuracy necessary for market access, HEOR, medical affairs, and regulatory use.

IonDx

Grant in 2018
IonDX is a bioanalytical instrumentation company that specializes in developing advanced systems for analyzing biologic drugs. With over 40 years of combined experience in analytical instrumentation for biomacromolecules and nanomaterials, the founding members have created innovative ion mobility technology. This patented technology utilizes atmospheric pressure-based ion mobility spectrometry to analyze the native conformations of proteins, protein complexes, and nucleic acid modalities. By providing high-throughput analysis, IonDX supports researchers in conducting comparability studies essential for the development of antibody biotherapeutics, thereby facilitating accelerated drug development and enhancing the understanding of complex biologic drugs.

Proteios Technology

Grant in 2018
Proteios Technology, founded in 2015 and based in Issaquah, Washington, focuses on providing cost-effective solutions for scientists involved in biopharmaceutical development. The company has developed a flexible protein technology that supports the discovery and efficient manufacturing of advanced therapeutics. Its offerings include a fully automated, closed system designed for the isolation of target immune cells, which complies with Current Good Manufacturing Practice for cell therapy manufacturing. Additionally, Proteios Technology provides kits for the purification of recombinant proteins and antibodies, utilizing proprietary affinity tags and silica-based resins. This enables researchers to quickly and economically isolate proteins of interest, facilitating the progression from preclinical discovery to the end-to-end manufacturing of autologous cell therapies.

Prime Labs

Grant in 2018
Prime Labs is a company focused on enhancing drug discovery through its cloud-based software platform, which specializes in mass spectrometry data processing, analysis, reporting, and visualization. The software is designed to support a variety of instruments and workflows, enabling scientists to conduct experiments with greater accuracy and efficiency. By streamlining the data processing experience, Prime Labs offers a user-friendly solution that minimizes the complexity typically associated with such tasks, allowing researchers to focus on their work with minimal training or installation requirements. This innovative approach facilitates a broader range of experiments in a shorter time frame, ultimately contributing to advancements in medical research and drug development.

Hinge Bio

Grant in 2018
Hinge Bio, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Burlingame, California, established in 2015. The company focuses on developing a novel class of bispecific and multispecific antibodies through its proprietary Flex-Hinge antibody platform. This platform utilizes advanced chemical ligation process technology, allowing the creation of therapeutic candidates that exhibit significantly enhanced affinity and specificity. Hinge Bio's approach enables these antibodies to bind cooperatively to multiple disease targets and effector cells, which can facilitate effective treatment strategies for various conditions, including oncology, metabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. The company's innovative platform aims to improve early disease diagnosis and treatment options for medical providers.
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