Match the Hatch Biotechnology, Inc.

University of California, Irvine

The pivotal challenges in emerging therapies, such as gene therapy, CAR-T/stem cell therapy, immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine, include daunting characterization, manufacturing, and chemistry (CMC), poor quality control (QC), costs, and biosafety. The CLE technology harnesses a paradigm-shifting approach by chemically, physically blebbing desired cells to produce cell-like vesicles that fully replicate the structure and function of the parent cells. The CLE technology achieves significantly higher yield in a substantially shorter time via incredibly simpler concentration and purification processes than conventional extracellular vesicle (EV) method, resulting homogeneous, stable, and economically competitive products. Additionally, all types of cells are subject to the CLE technology with consistently high efficiency.

Conquering Cancer Metastasis

University of California, Irvine

Recent developments in cancer research have discovered drugs that block kinase pathways that spur cancer growth, and agents that activate the immune system to eradicate tumors. These approaches have revolutionized the treatment of cancer, but are effective in less than half the cases. A critical step in the progression of tumors is when cancer cells gain the ability to metastasize. Here we have developed a class of small molecules that can block two critical steps in metastasis- the movement of cancer cells and thier ability to recruit blood and lymphatic vessels. These therapies could be used to inhibit metastasis of a broad variety of cancer types, with proof of concept data provided for melanoma.

Siege Pharmaceuticals

University of California, Irvine

At least half of the US adult population is predicted to have obesity by 2030. While new drugs are coming to market and even more are in the pipeline, they focus on satiety without doing anything to treat the root causes of metabolic disease. Siege’s compounds act through a novel mitochondrial mechanism to not only induce weight loss but also directly address drivers of obesity’s lethal co-morbidities including type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. Templated off of natural molecules, our compounds hit a unique constellation of targets to safely and effectively treat multiple facets of metabolic disease. These same targets have been validated in cancer, where we have shown that daily administration reduces growth of an autochtonous prostate cancer model by 82%.

BioSpecimen Technologies, LLC

University of California, Irvine

BioSpecimen Technologies (BST) is a medical device development company with revolutionary patented technologies that greatly improve the quality of patient blood testing in clinical labs, hospitals and RNA/DNA research and testing centers.

SquidTek, Inc.

University of California, Irvine

The Future of Performance Fabrics IS Thermoregulation. What is Revolutionary here? In the sixties, waterproof-breathable membranes forever changed how we think about rainwear. In the nineties, we learned that polyester was superior to cotton in athletic wear, spawning a new age of fitness apparel. The next BIG THING will be THERMOREGULATORY materials – and they’ll revolutionize the industry.

Aracari Biosciences

University of California, Irvine

[Update (8.2023) SBIR/STTR funding total: $1.3M] Aracari’s vascularized microphysiological systems are leading the way in preclinical drug testing. Aracari’s vascularized 3D Vascularized Micro-Organ (VMO) and Micro-Tumor (VMT) models incorporate perfused human vasculature for the physiologic delivery of nutrients, drugs and immune cells to multiple tissue and tumor types. These powerful next-generation tools are accelerating development of immuno-oncological and other therapeutics for more optimal patient outcomes. Aracari is seeking a Chief Business Development Officer as they expand their C-level team. (Crunchbase 2021: $1.2M Funding from NSF.)

cAPAcity Genomics

University of California, Irvine

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified thousands of noncoding variants associated with human traits and diseases. However, translating these variants into therapies continues to be a significant challenge. Alpaca Genomics has constructed a multi-tissue atlas of human 3′ UTR alternative polyadenylation (APA) quantitative trait loci (3′aQTLs), connecting thousands of noncoding GWAS variants with the APA of target genes, identified in 49 tissues isolated from 838 individuals (sourced from the Genotype-Tissue Expression Project). Alpaca Genomics is using 3’aQTLs to discover novel APA-linked susceptibility for many human diseases, such as diabetes, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson's disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Velox Biosystems

University of California, Irvine

Velox Biosystems plans to develop and launch a rapid diagnostic product for urinary tract infections (UTI), a problem that affects nearly 50 percent of the population at least once in their lifetime. This decision follows the startup’s completion of a recent clinical feasibility test that yielded impactful clinical data for the company to move forward with the next steps in development. Velox Biosystems has created an ultra sensitive rapid detection system that provides for no or minimal sample processing, high throughput scanning of large sample volumes, with single target sensitivity and unprecedented speeds. Utilizing a digital droplet molecular detection platform, we are developing a point of care diagnostic device to address critical unmet needs in the UTI, liquid biopsy, and sepsis spaces. Total available market of over $1 Billion.

Bone-Rad Therapeutics

University of California, Irvine

Bone-Rad Therapeutics, Inc. is a Delaware corporation whose objective is to develop and market Spine-Rad (TM) Brachytherapy Bone Cement as an innovative, improved, and cost-effective treatment paradigm for the management of cancer tumors in the spine which affect over 230,000 patients per year in the U.S. and a similar number in the E.U. Four patents covering this technology have been issued and exclusively licensed to Bone-Rad Therapeutics. An additional patent is pending. Developed at The University of California Irvine, Spine-Rad Cement delivers internally-targeted radiation therapy directly to the tumor as it simultaneously treats existing or impending vertebral fractures, restoring strength to the bone. Administered in a single procedure, Spine-Rad Cement will eliminate the 10-20 hospital visits typically needed for external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) as well as the significant side effects of EBRT.