Protein Architects

University of California, Davis

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are a $300B market, about $20B in diagnostics and $30B in antiviral therapeutics. Yet antibodies require poorly scaling, expensive mammalian cells, vary with batch, are environmentally unstable, and are subject to escape by viral strain evolution. Protein Architects is developing beta solenoid proteins as “molecular Legos” for applications in self-assembly of nanoparticle based devices and materials. Our polyvalent, environmentally robust viral decoy proteins for antigen diagnostics and therapeutics can be scalably produced in microbial GMP facilities at 1/50 the cost per binder yet bind up to 1000000x stronger than antibodies. As receptor decoys, they align with viral evolution, and modular human design makes immunocompatible therapeutics. We are seeking seed financing and regulatory advising on our in development viral decoy antibody substitutes for SARS-CoV-2 antigen diagnostics and therapeutics. We are positioned to make a difference in this pandemic, and future viral threats.

Seven Biosciences

University of California, Davis

[Update (8.2023) SBIR/STTR funding total: $500k] Seven Biosciences is a GPCR (G protein coupled receptors) targeted drug discovery company which engineers and uses cutting-edge technology. Seven’s proprietary technology are fluorescent sensors based on any GPCR, which enables the functional visualization of the conformational change of the receptor in response to the binding of a given compound in real-time. The technology can be used for high throughput screening of compound libraries against GPCR targets, including orphan GPCRs, as well as for profiling the physiologically relevant effects of candidate molecules. Additionally, Seven’s GPCR sensors can be expressed in vivo –enabling the monitoring of compound effects at the site of action in awake behaving animals and in disease models undergoing treatment with unmatched spatial and real-time temporal resolution. ($500K SBIR - NIH & NSF)

Theranostec

University of California, Davis

Theranostec have developed a novel, nanoparticle treatment platform allowing for targeted and effective chemotherapy, which can be enhanced with phototherapy, while also lowering toxicity. (UPDATE: Received $3M research funding to develop our approach in companion animals. Received multiple SBIR Phase I and Phase II grants - $4.7 Million.)

AimRNA

University of California, Davis

AimRNA’s novel RNA bioengineering technology produces a wide variety of biologic RNA molecules through a large yield, cost effective bacterial fermentation process, among them a number of leads have been demonstrated efficacy and safety for the treatment of lung and liver cancer in animal models. We have been awarded with SBIR Phase I grant in 2018, and we are currently raising $500,000 to fund IND-enabling studies and $7 million for clinical investigations.

Sierra BioPharma

University of California, Davis

Sierra Biopharma is developing therapeutics that selectively neutralize, remove, and destroy immune components that lead to autoimmune diseases, starting with the orphan indication myasthenia gravis (MG). Sierra Biopharma has developed an antigen-specific therapeutic for MG that targets pathogenic antibodies (Abs) and the memory B-cells (mBCs) that lead to their production. This biologic compound currently binds to and neutralizes the main immunogenic region (MIR) in directed pathogenic Abs and should eliminate their mBCs.

VasoBio

University of California, Davis

VasoBio is startup company focusing on vascular disease treatment & medical devices. VasoBio has developed a proprietary ligand-based coating technology, VasoCoat, to improve vascular grafts and other blood contacting devices. Our technology overcomes the major barriers of currently available vascular grafts and possesses optimal functionality. The current focus of VasoBio is to apply VasoCoat to improve patency of hemodialysis vascular graft and reduce thrombosis, stenosis, and infection. (Update: Received about $500,000 from the Kidney Innovation Accelerator (KidneyX), a public-private partnership between the US Department of Health and Human Services and the American Society of Nephrology.)