Aromha

Harvard University

Smell loss is an early indicator of infectious and neurodegenerative disorders. In COVID-19, for example, objective smell loss may occur in >90% of patients. Though molecular (PCR) tests are effective in diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection, with moderate sensitivity and high specificity, they typically are costly (>$50), with long turnaround times (up to 5-7 days) and have not been as effective in controlling asymptomatic spread. The Aromha Smell Test complements molecular tests with high sensitivity and negative predictive value and can be scaled quickly to provide an important new tool to prevent community spread of COVID, with an at-home, non-invasive, safe, and cost-effective screening test that provides instantaneous results. This platform technology, developed based on 20 years of olfactory research at Harvard, can also be utilized to provide an early signal and improve care in critical neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease, and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Fatal Attraction

Harvard University

Prof. Bob Datta and his team at Harvard Medical School have discovered a new class of odorant receptors - MS4As - that is structurally distinct from previously known receptors. In fact, data suggests that stimulating MS4A-bearing cells can significantly increase food intake in mice by hijacking innate preference mechanisms. The screening platform developed by Bob Datta has the potential to unlock numerous naturally-occurring ligands to create unique additives for food and/or fragrances. The science of the MS4As represents the first truly new opportunity to develop a new class of compounds with the potential to influence human and animal olfactory perception. Sandeep Robert (Bob) Datta is an Associate Professor of Neurobiology at Harvard and he is an entrepreneurial faculty member who is currently working on a number of start-ups.

qPathology

Harvard University

Lung cancer is common and often deadly. Accurate diagnosis is key to forming an optimal treatment plan, but pathologists often disagree on diagnosis after visual inspection of patient pathology images. Dr Yu and colleagues have developed a machine-learning technique that processes lung images and makes an accurate and automatic diagnosis.

Surgical ai

Harvard University

Operating rooms are often not efficient and are costly to hospitals. Solutions to increasing efficiency neglect to monitor errors in real time which can be stopped and improve efficiency from the time of the incident. This technology pairs artificial intelligence with real time monitoring of operating room procedures to increase efficiency of hospital operating rooms.

Singularity

Harvard University

In the future, the power grid will be a large-scale network of distributed energy resources (DERs), each introducing random and rapid fluctuations in power supply, demand, voltage and frequency. These DERs provide tremendous opportunity for sustainability, efficiency, and power reliability. However, a major issue is how intelligent devices and independent producers can achieve maximum and reliable efficiency for the power network. Singularity's hardware-agnostic algorithmic platform can provide the intelligent control for the smart grid of the future.

PionEar Technologies

Harvard University

Ear infections are the number on cause of doctors visits worldwide, affecting 700 million people each year. Chronic ear infections are often treated with the insertion of a tympanostomy tube into the ear drum. While these help to drain fluid, they often come with complications which can result in follow up surgeries and hearing loss. The PionEar tympanostomy tube technology addresses the most common complications by changing the geometry and materials of the tube to enhance fluid transport and reduce the chances of biofilm formation.

LiMAX Biosciences

Harvard University

Wounds outside and inside the body are common and can be devastating. Wound adhesives have not been able to compete with suturing due to lack of strength and flexibility. LiMAX has developed a gel adhesive using biomimicry which is able to outperform existing medical adhesives in strength and flexibility. LiMAX is focusing on the application to skin first, but the applications of the technology span many tissues.