Discover a new adventure

Over 30% of such withdrawals are due to cardiac toxicity (pro-arrhythmic effects mediated by cardiac ion channels), therefore regulatory agreements mandate the testing of all new drugs for cardiac liability. GW researchers developed the first scalable automated all-optical system for high-throughput cardiac electrophysiology and electromechanics. The system includes a method for combined optical pacing and optical recording from a variety of primary and stem-cell-derived cells and tissues. This platform allows for active dynamic interrogation, such as robust pacing protocols that can reveal Vm, [Ca2+]i or contraction’s frequency response (restitution) and temporal instabilities. The researchers also developed “spark-cell” spheroids which can be used as a reagent that can be frozen, transported, and deployed on-site to confer optical pacing of cardiac cells.

M^3

University of California, Irvine

We treat faces as if they were feet, and that’s absurd. Unlike feet, faces are 3D, yet we still measure them using 2D objects such as paper cutouts in the massive $6b market to fit people with masks. This doesn’t cut it, and the data backs it up: 50% of Americans don’t wear the CPAP masks they’ve been prescribed because of these fit, comfort, and convenience issues. The only reason we’ve tolerated this is that until recently there has been no better way to get good 3d measurements of your face without lots of specialized tools. We solve this problem by making it as easy as taking a selfie to get precise 3D measurements of your face.

QuantHub

Platform to assess current state and provide personalized intervention where needed. Founded in 2018, QuantHub provides an efficient yet rigorous vetting platform for hiring data professionals and a modern, in the flow of work, learning platform focused on both AI skills for analytics teams and data literacy skills for the entire enterprise. QuantHub is a SaaS subscription-based platform written for data scientists by data scientists, providing skill tests, data challenges, and skill development plans completely tailored to the unique characteristics of the advanced analytics space.

Araqev

Purdue University

Araqev uses machine learning to create software solutions for closed-loop, smart control in additive manufacturing. Araqev’s patented machine learning algorithms enable users to design and print new shapes and processes with greater accuracy, resulting in less wasted scrap and machining time.

AbSeek Bio

Vanderbilt University

The human immune system participates in complex interactions with virtually all other systems in the body. In particular, the B-cell component of the adaptive immune response plays a role in various disease settings, including infectious disease, cancer, autoimmunity, cardiovascular, hematologic, neurologic diseases, and others. In addition, antibodies (a product of B cells) are effectively used in diagnostics, therapy, and prevention. To address these significant challenges with current technologies for B cell characterization and antibody discovery, we recently developed a novel technology that, for a given sample, enables the mapping of antibody sequence to antigen specificity from a single high-throughput experiment for a large number of antigens and B cells at a time.

SkyNano Technologies

Vanderbilt University

Using patent-pending technology developed at Vanderbilt University, our technique overcomes cost and scaleability limitations associated with traditional manufacturing techniques, while also giving commercial viability to carbon conversion technologies through the introduction of a high-value secondary material produced from greenhouse gas inputs. Our technique relies on electrochemistry, rather than solely catalysis, and results in a highly efficient process to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into useful functional nanomaterials.(6.2022 - SkyNano was selected to receive $2M in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The funding is part of the ARPA-E HESTIA program, which prioritizes overcoming barriers associated with carbon-storing buildings, including scarce, expensive and geographically limited building materials. As of August 2022, SkyNano has raised ~$8.5M (million) in non-dilutive funding from a variety of federal, state, and commercial sources.)

BioSpecimen Technologies, LLC

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.

AddGraft Therapeutics

University of Chicago

There are over 900k cocaine addicts in the USA alone while worldwide cocaine usage rates have been growing at over 2% a year over the last decade. In the USA this results in over 15k deaths, 505k ER visits and $21B lost annually. Despite all of this, there is currently no FDA approved treatment for cocaine abuse disorder. AddGraft Therapeutics aims to be the first FDA approved treatment for cocaine abuse disorder utilizing our revolutionary gene delivery platform. Our treatment promises to be long lasting, minimally invasive and highly effective at treating the challenging aspects of addiction. AddGraft's technology is a novel skin-based gene delivery platform for treating cocaine abuse. Patients receive an autologous skin graft of genetically modified skin-stem cells which produces a dual molecule solution to effectively break down cocaine, preventing lethal overdose, and to behaviorally prevent frequent use, relapse, and developing of new addictive behaviors.

NanoStem Biotech

Rutgers University

Dr. KiBum Lee of Rutgers University is developing a nanoscaffold material and system that would enable effective stem cell therapy and drug delivery. The innovation promises functional recovery in patients with central nervous system injuries--like spinal cord injuries--for which there are no effective treatments today. Features of the nanoscaffold include 3D biomimicry, stem cell/neuronal differentiation, ECM-protein binding affinity, efficient drug loading/sustained delivery, and MRI-based monitoring capability.

Nanochon

(Update: The company raised $2.7M Series 1 venture funding from Mountain State Capital, Kyto Technology, and Wealthing VC Club on August 10, 2022.) Knee cartilage injuries in young active people have unique challenges that do not face older patients. The treatments need to be able to withstand intense activity and last for years. There is currently no gold standard treatment, with all solutions having significant drawbacks in price, recovery time, and/or longevity of treatment. Nanochon has developed a 3D printed synthetic cartilage replacement which is inserted with minimally invasive surgery and encourages new tissue growth, extending the lifetime of the treatment.

RIGImmune

Carnegie Mellon University

[Update (8.2023): The company raised $5.7 million of seed funding from F-Prime Capital, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Connecticut Innovations on December 7, 2022] Activating the innate immune system within tumors is a promising new direction in immunotherapy because it can be used against a broad spectrum of tumor subtypes and it ensures that cells throughout the tumor microenvironment become sensitized, resulting in attack and destruction by T cells. RIG-I is a particularly sensitive trigger of innate immune response in tumors, so agonists of this receptor are promising immunotherapy agents. Through a unique class of RIG-I agonists called Stem-Loop RNAs (SLRs), the scientific team is evaluating the efficacy of SLRs as immunotherapy and antiviral agents.

Impact Proteomics

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.

Carver Biosciences

Princeton University

(Update 9.22 - Closed $3M seed round by Khosla Ventures). Broad-spectrum antiviral therapies do not exist, tragically hindering our ability to respond to viral outbreaks and pandemics. We need new approaches to treat these diseases, as existing therapeutics are very narrow-spectrum and take many years to develop. Carver Biosciences is a startup company developing CRISPR-based therapies for RNA viruses that infect humans. Carver’s approach is a programmable, platform technology that could offer a generalizable solution for treating many viruses, as targeting is dictated by a guide RNA sequence. The underlying technology, CARVER, was developed by founder Cameron Myhrvold during his time as a postdoc at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and was published in Molecular Cell in 2019.

Molecular Decisions

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Born from the expertise of Dr. Dean Felsher and Dr. Alice Fan, Molecular Decisions, also known as MDI, specializes in developing proteomic-based assays, including the Nanoimmunoassay (NIA). Primarily serving pharmaceutical companies, MDI enables faster and more informed drug development and clinical trials by precisely measuring protein isoform drug targets. Striving to revolutionize patient care, the team's mission is to aid physicians in making better-informed decisions by providing real-time information about drug efficacy.

Pre-Fever Detection of Infection

Techniques for detecting infection by monitoring physiological states before symptoms become apparent. A machine learning model is used to analyze patient data and help to identify whether a patient was exposed to an infectious chemical agent. This detection could lead to earlier patient care and increase the probability of a positive prognosis.

ChromaTiR

ChromaTiR (color through total internal reflection) is developing a technology to create color-shifting effects in a broad range of materials that is more cost-effective and safer. They are working to advance their patent-pending technology, which allows the use of a low-cost, simplified and more customizable method to generate vibrant, iridescent coatings in which no nanoparticles and no metal films are used. ChromaTiR offers customizable color shifting special effect coatings and pigments with tunable color profiles and large angular separation between colors.

ChemRes Therapeutics

University of California, Santa Barbara

Up to 80% of ovarian cancer patients develop resistance towards platinum based chemotherapy drugs which are most commonly used against cancer. There is an urgent need for therapeutic agents that overcome such drug resistance. We developed small molecule drugs that overcome platinum drug resistance in vivo and in vitro. These compounds inhibit Acidic nucleoplasmic DNA‐binding protein 1 (And1) or sentrin-specific protease 1 (SENP1) and re-sensitize platinum-resistant cancer cells to platinum drugs.

Cayuga Biotech

Cayuga Biotech is a preclinical therapeutics company developing therapies for bleeding disorders. Our lead candidate is a platelet-like drug that accelerates clotting in the presence of injury. Cayuga has already held its pre-IND meeting with the FDA and received guidance on the GLP trials required for IND approval. The Cayuga team is made up of PhD scientists who developed CAY001 during their PhD research. We have two KOLs who are experts in the field of hemostasis and have overseen clinical trials on anticoagulant reversal drugs. Our regulatory strategy is developed by an advisor who spent 23 years at the FDA in CDER. Our manufacturing advisor has overseen 9 drugs reach clinical trials and 4 drugs receive approval. Our business advisors have overseen 4 successful business exits worth over $1 B. Cayuga has raised over $2 MM from DARPA and the Army. We are raising a round to complete the remaining IND-enabling studies, add experienced drug developers to the team, and prepare for the first in man trial.

TUG-C Obesity Target

University of California, Davis

While obesity is a growing worldwide epidemic, there are few effective treatments. This technology aims to inhibit a degradation pathway, therefore increasing heat and calorie burn in patients with obesity.

Sierra BioPharma

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.

3rd Arm Inc

Case Western Reserve University

Articulated Wearables to enhance human productivity. 3rd Arm is prototyping a wearable, articulated robotic device that can be attached to a person at the hip or other location to augment human task productivity. This mechanical "third arm" has many uses such as assisting abled users (e.g. holding additional tools to enhance work), helping disabled users (e.g. providing support and lifting objects), and as a haptic interface for interaction with robotics systems and AR/VR experiences. 3rd Arm is incorporating the latest robotic technology with a newly designed 4-state brake mechanism in joints for advanced operations.

SmartScan2

SmartScan2 is revolutionizing secure identification applications with unclonable polymer film-based, scalable technology. Most, if not all security devices in use today can be corrupted, counterfeited, or easily interpreted. Examples of these devices include personal identification cards, passports, pharmaceutical product tracking, currency, and product identification tags. One good example of this corruption involves credit cards. The fifty year old “magnetic strip” technology on a credit card has been corrupted by the use of illegal credit card “skimmers” attached to the credit card readers, and reported in the local news as prevalent on gas pumps and ATMs. The newer “chip” technology on credit cards can also be corrupted by the use of credit card skimmers which are becoming more prevalent in similar locations. SmartScan2's ID security is “unclonable” since it is vastly more difficult to corrupt, counterfeit or interpret the relevant information.

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.

Bacchus Therapeutics

University of Pennsylvania

[Update (8.2023) SBIR/STTR funding total: $405k] Bacchus Therapeutics is a biotech company that exploits cancer’s hypermetabolic state by targeting specific cancer metabolic pathways. The aberrant expression of MYC is virtually unmatched, making MYC one of the most frequently deregulated oncogenes in human tumors, including, liver, kidney, CNS, hematopoietic, breast, prostate, lung and GI tumors. Human studies and animal models have established that dysregulation of MYC underlies the pathogenesis and aggressiveness of numerous cancers. Our founders, Drs. Gouw and Felsher, discovered that MYC regulates the aberrant lipid metabolism of tumors and that inactivation of key lipid enzymes results in regression of tumors. (Update: After receiving the IGNITE program grant in 2021, Bacchus opened a lab at one of the shared wet benches in the Prince William County Accelerator in early 2022.)

PionEar Technologies

Harvard University

Ear infections are the number one 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.

Sibel Health

Northwestern University

[Update (7.2023) SBIR/STTR funding total: $1.3M] Sibel Health revolutionizes patient care with their bio-integrated, wearable sensors such as the ANNE® Chest Sensor, ANNE® Limb Sensor, and ADAM Sensor. These devices offer clinical-grade monitoring and transmit real-time data for comprehensive clinical care. They measure parameters such as heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, activity, SpO2 pulse rate, and perfusion index. The wearables are lightweight, flexible, and invisible to wear, making healthcare monitoring both comfortable and efficient. They offer dedicated solutions for adult, maternal, and neonatal monitoring, and specific medical conditions, transforming patient data management.

LignaMed

[Update (8.2023): SBIR/STTR funding total - $7M, NIH Contract - $5.2M] LignaMed is dedicated to developing breakthrough treatments for severe asthma, organ transplant viability, and fibrosis. Its lead drug compound, LGM1506, is a single isomer synthetic small molecule with a unique mechanism of action proven to Improve asthma based on statistically significant data from its completed phase II NIH grant. The company is on track to achieve key inflection points for two of its programs: severe Asthma, with Phase I studies in man possible in 2024 and ex vivo lung perfusion for human donor lungs, with potential market approval under a drug as device pathway in 2024.

Allagium Therapeutics

Modulation of MAP Kinase Phosphatases in Targeting Liver Disease. A novel platform for allosteric targeting of MAP kinase phosphatases to achieve nodal regulation of signaling pathways that can be leveraged for therapeutic purposes.

Pangolin Therapeutics

[Update (8.2023): The company raised $350,000 of seed funding from Connecticut Innovations and others on May 26, 2021] Numerous clinical trials in amyloidosis have failed as a result of misdirected focus on amyloid states of disease-causing proteins. Pangolin Therapeutics’ (PTx) small-molecule platform, termed Pangomers™, was developed to address this deficiency. The Pangomer™ core structure enables selective targeting of pre-amyloid, toxic oligomers (PAOs). Here, we seek to address Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), an aggressive, orphan-indicated form of Parkinson's for which there are no approved therapeutics. Our pilot efforts have identified and validated a strategy for development of Pangomer™ analogues that neutralize PAOs from MSA. Additional funding will allow execution of this strategy delivering a lead molecule for pre-clinical advancement.

Entelechy

Entelechy’s business-focused approach ensures they design, develop, and deliver the most effective performance change possible. Whether it’s world-class training, job aids, documentation, coaching, consulting, web-based training, or user help, the solution you get from Entelechy is guaranteed to help you achieve your business goals. They provide a training module with training materials and access to a team of learning and development, and instructional design experts to help execute your program flawlessly.

BiomeSense

University of Chicago

[Update (8.2023): The company raised $6 million through a combination of Seed 3, and Seed 4 funding on February 14, 2023] Integrating proprietary technologies, the GutLab, “smart bathroom” technology for continuous patient microbiome tracking & MetaBiome, a cloud-based bioinformatics platform. Novel tools to continuously track, analyze, and store individual microbiome profiles, providing vastly more data than, and at a fraction of the cost of, current practice. Creating the GutLab, a novel “smart bathroom” technology for continuous, at-home microbiome tracking & MetaBiome, a cloud-based bioinformatics platform. This platform is a generational leap over existing measurement tools: (1) much cheaper and more scalable, (2) produces & analyze dense time-series data, unlocking an entire dimension of never-before-accessible biomarkers, and (3) has far higher accuracy & precision, ensuring all data generated can be stored in a single, standardized database – a first for the microbiome field.

SomaTx Design

University of California, Irvine

KneeMo addresses problems associated with musculoskeletal disorders including sports related injuries and chronic disease such as osteoarthritis (OA). The potential market is substantial since musculoskeletal disorders affect more than one out of every two persons in the United States over age 18 and three out of four over age 65. Osteoarthritis alone accounts for 242 million people in the world who live with activity limiting symptoms. Pharmaceuticals, often used to alleviate the musculoskeletal pain come with side effects that can include addiction. KneeMo takes a novel mechanical approach to engage multimodal sensory pathways that signal pain using cutaneous mechanical stimuli (e.g., vibration) where over stimulation in one mode of the system (e.g., vibration) can gate response in other modalities (e.g. pain). KneeMo was shown in a placebo controlled clinical trial to provide an effective and safe alternative to pharmacological interventions to reduce pain and enhance function.

Aracari Biosciences

[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.)

Rhenium Chemotherapeutics

Cornell University

About half of treated cancer patients receive platinum-based drugs (eg. cisplatin, carboplatin) alone or in co-administration with other anticancer agents. Despite their efficacy, their use is limited by toxic side effects and inherent or acquired resistance to platinum-based drugs by tumor cells. To address this challenge, a Cornell team lead by Prof. Justin Wilson have developed rhenium-based chemotherapeutics for treatment of platinum-resistant cancers.

UV-C N95 Sterilization

University of Chicago

Currently there are several solutions under consideration for disinfecting N95 respirators for re-use, with UV-C as the preferred solution because of ease of deployment and widespread applicability. Problematically, present UV-C disinfection solutions are limited by shadowing, which prevents exposure of the masks to the required effective dose of UV irradiation. The inventors utilized UV-C light field modeling and extensive test measurements to develop a proprietary arrangement of lamps for disinfecting. The configuration eliminates shadowing, allowing for full irradiation and disinfecting of the contaminated N95 respirator surface in the shortest amount of time.

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.

Reach Neuro

University of Pittsburgh

[Update (8.2023): Venture funding total - $750k] Stroke is an incredibly pervasive problem that directly affects one quarter of the world’s population. Unfortunately, many of these people are told they will never regain functional use of their arm or hand. With Reach, they will. One of our patients was able to cut food with a fork and knife and feed herself for the first time in 9 years since having her stroke. In contrast to existing assistive tools such as functional electrical stimulation, Reach’s device allows the user full control over complex and naturalistic movements. Advantages of the technology: • Assists movements in all upper limb joints • Restores naturalistic and voluntary movements • Immediate improvements • Assists users in performing tasks of daily living • Eligible for chronic stroke patients even years after their stroke • Uses standard implant device and surgical procedure • Does not require donning and doffing bulky equipment

Alto Neuroscience

Using AI-driven brain biomarkers to match patients with the right drug.

ImmunoBlue

GW researchers developed a cell therapy manufacturing platform that avoids genetic engineering and activates immune cells against multiple, patient-specific target antigens simultaneously. A sample of a patient’s cancer cells obtained by surgery or biopsy is treated with photothermal therapy (PTT) in vitro, delivered by Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) at an immunogenic thermal dose. Immune cells (e.g. T cells, NK cells) from the patient are then exposed to the PBNP-PTT-treated cancer cells in vitro to activate them against multiple patient-specific, tumor antigens. The activated immune cells are then re-infused to the patient. Preliminary ex vivo data and studies in xenograft animal models show superior specificity of T cells generated through this novel immuno-engineered platform against glioblastoma, over T cells generated through traditional methods.

ViewsML

Dartmouth College

Utilizing artificial intelligence in conjunction with the electrocardiogram to help clinicians identify cardiovascular disease more quickly, more accurately, and at a fraction of the cost. Real time capture of microscope video that is digitized, formatted and stored for AI and ML based use to enhance patient diagnosis. ViewsML uses a machine-learning model to predict biomarker expression in patient samples, both spatially and quantitatively. This reduces a 24+ hour process down to a few seconds, saving time and resources that can be redeployed elsewhere in the hospital or laboratory.

ProteoWise

Carnegie Mellon University

[Update (8.2023): SBIR/STTR funding total - $250k, Venture funding total - $8.65M, Yale Innovation prize - $2.5M] ProteoWise was founded by a seasoned team of scientists from the Strittmatter Laboratory at Yale University which has a history of commercialization of innovations emerging from the lab. ProteoWise aims to unlock the protein world. Its technology will disrupt the protein analysis industry by enabling researchers to move beyond the current Western Blot standard and into easy, high-throughput bench-top proteomics.

Prediction Health

Vanderbilt University

[Update (8.2023): SBIR/STTR funding total - $222k, Venture funding total - $3.98M] Prediction Health is revolutionizing patient care and enhancing the efficiency of clinicians and administrators. Designed specifically for Physical Therapy (PT) compliance and documentation, 'PT Practice Intel' simplifies documentation, compliance, and operational excellence. By reading and analyzing free form notes and EHR data, it automates the laborious tasks, reducing burnout, and increasing efficiency, hence fostering a better environment for outstanding patient care.

Atomwise

The company’s proprietary AtomNet technology identifies new small molecules for therapeutic targeting of difficult proteins. Atomwise is a venture-backed drug discovery platform company powered by robust and evolving machine learning algorithms. The proprietary AtomNet technology identifies new small molecules for therapeutic targeting of difficult proteins. Atomwise has wholly-owned pre-clinical assets in immunology, co-developed assets in oncology, hematology, and immunology, as well as several stealth candidates in discovery phase. (University of Toronto)

ERLY Antivirals

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.

ArrePath

Princeton University

(UPDATE 4.22) ArrePath, an anti-infective drug discovery company addressing the global health challenge of drug resistant infections, announced today that it has raised $20 million in seed financing to advance its proprietary, machine learning (ML)-based platform for the discovery of new classes of anti-infectives to overcome antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, Insight Partners, and Innospark Ventures co-led the financing, which also included Viva BioInnovator, Arimed Capital, PTX Capital, and Nor’easter Ventures. ArrePath also announced that Dr. Lloyd Payne has been named President and CEO. Dr. Payne, who serves on the Novo REPAIR Impact Fund Scientific Selection Board and the AMR Action Fund Scientific Advisory Board, brings more than 25 years of scientific and business leadership in the discovery and development of anti-infectives. Dr. Zemer Gitai published proof-of-concept for the approach in the journal Cell in June 2020.

Clarasim Systems