Impact Proteomics

Carnegie Mellon University

Our company, Impact Proteomics, makes protein sample preparation kits to provide researchers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries with high quality protein samples faster than ever, improving research reproducibility and saving time and money. High quality protein preparations are essential for drug and biomarker discovery, monitoring therapeutic efficacy, biologic drug quality control, and for understanding fundamental cellular processes. For decades, industry and academia have been hindered by incomplete and irreproducible protein sample preparation. These samples are often contaminated with other cellular components and incompatible reagents, such as DNA, salts, and the reagents used to break open cells. Fast, high quality sample preparation can mean the difference between finding a lifesaving drug target or wasting millions of dollars and decades of time on a failed drug discovery project. Impact Proteomics is here to ensure every project reaches its potential.

Rubitection

Carnegie Mellon University

Rubitection is developing a skin health and wellness system to improve assessment and care management of dermatological, plastic surgery, and vascular conditions with an initial application to early bedsores detection. Bedsores are an $11 billion healthcare problem at affects 2.3 million each year killing 60K. If detected early they can be prevented, but low cost early detection tools are not available. Our Rubitect Assessment System (RAS) empowers any caregiver in hospitals, nursing homes, and in home care to detect bedsore early and support care management. Rubitection’s issued patents, and exclusive worldwide license provide barriers to competitors. The RAS’ low risk FDA pathway allows a quick path to a $4.1 billion US bedsore market. Two recurring revenues supports long term sustainability. Within 5 - 6 years of product launch, Rubitection will generate $48 million in sales using a hybrid sales model. Rubitection will exit through acquisition to a wound care company like Hill-Rom, or 3M.

WhiteBox

Carnegie Mellon University

VDIs cannot protect sensitive data unless remote users can securely operate the VDI client on their computers. If users’ computers are compromised, hackers can screen capture and view confidential data on VDI servers, and sniffer users’ keystrokes (e.g., passwords), etc. Attackers gain same VDI data access as users despite perfect network and VDI server security. Most existing products are insecure, because they assume commodity OSes (e.g., Windows 10, Mac OS) and applications have no security flaws. Other products violate users’ experiences as they cannot run user-chosen applications locally to process insensitive data. In short, no usable secure VDI client exists to-date. We built *the only usable secure VDI client*. Our on-demand isolation technique protects users’ operations even when OS and users’ locally installed tools are compromised, and maintains users’ experience. Also, our solution eliminates IT admin labor to maintain VDI client security.

ERLY Antivirals

Carnegie Mellon University

Our lab has developed novel broad-spectrum antivirals for treatment of all nine human and several animal herpesviruses that overcomes drug resistance. We have shown that the pressurized state of the viral packaged genome is a target for antiviral therapies. This pressurized DNA state in herpesvirus capsid shell (exerting tens of atmospheres of pressure) is responsible for DNA ejection into a cell nucleus, causing infection. Several lead compounds that "turn off" capsid pressure and block viral genome ejection into a cell have demonstrated superior efficacy and safety in testing conducted at the NIH/NIAID. Although high activity has been shown with all human herpesviruses and several animal herpesviruses, our focus will be on treatment of human cytomegalovirus and MDV (Marek’s disease virus in poultry). For HCMV treatment, the market is dominated by generics, such as ganciclovir and foscarne, that have low efficacy and safety profiles. For MDV, no treatments are available.

CorePower Magnetics

Carnegie Mellon University

Magnets form the core of a wide variety of power electronic devices including motors, inductors and transformers. New magnetic materials are needed to meet the high performance requirements for grid modernization (solid state transformers, PV inductors, sensors); for EVs and aviation (inductors, sensors, motors); and for industrial motor controls (inductors, sensors).