Sensible Photonics

Carnegie Mellon University

Sensible Photonics is partnering with utilities, OEMs and regulators to improve grid reliability and resilience through low-cost sensing solutions for distribution transformers and other electrical equipment. To keep pace with the growing demand for electricity and heightened threat from climate change, the grid needs to be smarter and more self-aware. At the same time, supply for distribution transformers is constrained, causing utilities to seek solutions for extending the life of these assets. Sensible Photonics fiber optic sensors provide real-time temperature readings for electrical assets and can enable the proactive prediction of required maintenance and imminent failures due to thermal runaway, resulting in improved reliability, financial savings, enhanced lifespan of equipment, operational efficiency, and safety. Future product offerings will enable real-time monitoring of additional critical parameters relevant for electrical equipment health monitoring.

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.

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.