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Wednesday October 1, 2008 – Track 1: Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Company Showcase
11:15–11:25am — Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (Cincinnati, Ohio) is a venture backed start-up ischemia and vascular biology company in preclinical development with two small molecule programs licensed from P&G Pharmaceuticals. Akebia has in licensed high quality drug development programs and treatment assets from P&G. Akebia is seeking additional capital to move the company to an IPO in 2010. Presenter: Joseph Gardner, CEO.
11:25–11:35am — CS-Keys, Inc. (Indianapolis, Indiana) is focused on the discovery and development of 3rd generation cancer-specific biomarkers using proteomics. The company’s products address critical cancer diagnostic needs. To date, the company has raised ~$7.35 million from Triathlon Medical Ventures, Prolog Ventures, Clarian Health Ventures, Ceres Ventures, Springmill Ventures and Biocrossroads. CS-Keys is seeking additional funding to develop line extensions for the IHC product and expand into new applications for the ELISA product. Presenter: Claire Deselle, President & CEO.
11:35–11:45am — RhinoCyte, Inc. (Louisville, Kentucky) is a biotechnology company that will be a leader in the advancement of cell based therapies by providing innovative autologous adult human cell solutions to treat a variety of neurodegenerative disorders including; spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. To date RhinoCyte Inc. received $1 Million from Kentucky Seed Capital Fund, Queen City Angels, Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation and Bluegrass Angels. Presenter: Fred J. Roisen, PhD, Co-founder, President & CEO.
11:45–11:55am — ZyStor Therapeutics, Inc. (Milwaukee Wisconsin) is a biotechnology company developing innovative enzyme replacement therapies for the treatment of rare, genetic disorders known as Lysosomal Diseases (LSD’s) using a novel targeting technology. To date they received $10.5 Million from Venture Investors, Mason Wells, Prolog Ventures, Apjohn Ventures, State of Wisconsin Investment Board and Hexagon Investments. Presenter: Loren G Peterson, President & CEO.
11:55–12:05pm — Medtrinia Pharmaceuticals (Ann Arbor, Michigan) is a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on developing and commercializing novel therapies for women’s reproductive system disorder, with an initial focus on gynecologic and aromatase-mediated conditions. The company has received $4.8 million from Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center at Western Michigan University, 21st Century Jobs Fund and angel investors.
12:05–12:15pm — Metabolic Solutions Development Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) is developing innovative therapeutics using pharmacological path to treat diabetes and related symptoms of metabolic syndrome. This approach seeks to improve the efficacy of treatment by avoiding the adverse side effects. To date they received $10.5 Million from Hopen Therapeutics, LLC and South West Michigan First Venture Fund. Presenter: Mark Olesnavage, CEO.
12:15–12:25pm — Mithridion, Inc (Madison, Wisconsin) is a clinical stage drug company focusing on drugs for Alzheimer’s disease and other serious chronic CNS disorders. To date Mithridion received $4.5 Million from Venture Investors, Rosetta Partners, Rocket Ventures, State of Wisconsin Investment Board and Wisconsin Investment Partners. Presenter: Trevor M. Twose, PhD, CEO.
Wednesday October 1, 2008 – Track 2: Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Company Showcase
11:15–11:25am — AllTranz Inc. (Lexington, Kentucky) is a specialty pharmaceutical company founded in 2004 that uses proprietary technology to modify existing chemical entities with proven clinical outcomes to produce new transdermal dosage forms for pain treatment and other neuroscience-related indications. The AllTranz technology has been supported by more than $3 million in both state and national grants. Grants that have been received from the National Institute of Health, the American Cancer Society, the FDA, and the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation. They seek to raise $10-12 Million, Series B financing to continue to develop and take significant steps toward commercialization of the lead product. Presenter: Audra Stinchcomb, PhD, Founder & CEO.
11:25–11:35am — CDG Therapeutics (Chicago, Illinois) is a biotechnology firm engaged in the development of proprietary peptides derived from pathogenic and non pathogenic bacteria and green plants. These peptides possess a unique ability to preferentially enter cancer cells and induce cell cycle arrest and ultimately cell death. CDG received $11 Million from Individual High Net Worth Investors, and is seeking $20-25 Million, in order to fund operations through phase II human clinical trials by the end of 2009. Presenter: David R. Volk, CEO.
11:35–11:45am — Immuno Theragnostics Incorporated (Louisville, Kentucky) is a life science company focused on the development and commercialization of exosome-based clinical diagnostic arrays for women’s health. Their first diagnostic test, KadinOV, is used to differentiate between patients with serous epithelial ovarian cancer and benign ovarian disease. To date they received $200,000 from the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation. Presenter: Andrew Steen, VP, Business Development.
11:45–11:55am — PDS Biotechnology Corporation (Cincinnati, Ohio) is an early stage biotech company that owns a simple nanoparticle platform technology that is being utilized to develop immunotherapies to treat infectious diseases and cancer. To date they received $1,567,000 from Asklepios Capital, LLC, Labrum Trust, and National Cancer Institute. PDS is seeking to raise $3 Million to complete toxicology studies and enter human clinical trials in 2009. Presenter: Frank Bedu-Addo, President & CEO.
11:55–12:05pm — MedCara Pharmaceuticals (Conrad, Iowa) is an early stage pharmaceutical company focused in the dermatological market. Its flagship product is a topical treatment for resistant nongenital cutaneous warts called wartPEEL. MedCara is raising $5 Million in order to fund clinical development for the treatment of recalcitrant warts with investments from Venture Capital, Angel and Strategic Investors. Presenter: Tom Swegle, CEO.
Wednesday October 1, 2008 – Track 3: Medical Device Company Showcase
11:15–11:25am — SonarMed, Inc. (Indianapolis, Indiana) is developing an intelligent endotracheal tube monitoring system that continuously and precisely tracks tube location and patency. To date SonarMed received $850K venture and $4.05 Million grants from BioCrossroads/Indiana Seed Fund, Spring Mill Venture Partners, Village Ventures, NIH (SBIR), Indiana 21st Century Research & Technology Fund. Presenter: David B. Wortman, Chairman.11:25–11:35am — Nephrion, Inc. (Ann Arbor, Michigan) has developed proprietary medical devices designed to treat several large unmet medical needs such as End Stage Renal Disease, Acute Renal Failure, Cardio-Pulmonary Surgery complications, Sepsis and other inflammatory conditions. To date Nephrion received $3,000,000 from Lurie Investments Inc, North Coast Technology Investors LP, Diamond Capital Management as Agent for Dow Employees Pension Plan and Union Carbide Employees Pension Plan, Apjohn Ventures, and Western Michigan University. Presenter: Clint Dederick, Chairman & CEO.
11:35–11:45am — InformMed Inc. (Peoria, Illinois) is a medication safety company with a patented IT based solution for reducing the risk of medication errors at the bedside. Recent studies conducted by the University of Illinois College of Medicine demonstrated a 90% reduction in errors. To date, InformMed has received $4.4 million from SWMF Life Science Fund and Tri County Venture Fund. Presenter: Gary Conkright, CEO.
11:45–11:55am — KC BioMediX, Inc. (Shawnee, Kansas) is a medical device manufacturer commercializing technologies developed at the University of Kansas that assess, monitor and develop the non-nutritive suck in premature infants and accelerate their transition to independent oral feeds. The company has raised $4.05 million from Open Prairie Ventures, Quest Capital Alliance, Kansas Bioscience Authority, and Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation. KC BioMediX is currently raising an additional $4 million in a preferred Series A round. Presenter: Michael Litscher, CEO & COO.
11:55–12:05am — NDI Medical LLC (Cleveland, Ohio) is a medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of neurostimulation based therapies and devices. To date they received $3 Million from the founders of NDI Medical. Presenter: Len Cosentino, VP Business Development.
12:05–12:15pm — Thermal Therapeutic Systems, Inc. (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is currently developing a portable next generation perfusion device for international distribution. This innovative and proprietary technology platform has been precisely designed to provide the medical community with an economical technology which can safely and effectively deliver heated and unheated fluids to a broad population of patients for a variety of indications and treatments. To date they received $550,000 from Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, Innovation Works, and Angels. Presenter: Raymond F. Vennare Co-Founder & CEO.
12:15–12:25pm — Nerites Corporation (Madison, Wisconsin) develops fully-synthetic, water-resistant adhesives, sealants and coatings for internal medical use. The hydrogel technology can be used to close internal tears or incisions, to seal tissues and prevent leakage and infection, and to affix synthetic or biologic medical devices. To date Nerites received $8.7 Million from Venture Investors, Black Mountain Ventures and Various Angel Investors. Presenter: Jediah White, Director of Business Development
Wednesday October 1, 2008 – Track 1: Medical Diagnostic Company Showcase
2:00–2:10pm — Orasi Medical (Edina, Minnesota) focuses on neurological diagnostics and in October 2007 received $2.5 Million from Prairie Gold Venture Partners and Center Stone Investors. Presenter: Shawn Lyndon, Founder & CEO.2:10–2:20pm — Platypus Technologies, LLP (Madison, Wisconsin) is an early stage sensor company developing inexpensive, easy-to-use products based on our proprietary liquid crystal technology. To date they received $3.7 Million from Nicholas Abbott, Christopher Murphy and Barbara Israel. Platypus will continue to actively seek grant funding and sell products into the Life Science market as a stepping stone in order to generate significant short-term revenue and minimize the need for outside capital. Presenter: Maria Perr, Director of Marketing.
2:20–2:30pm — AssureRx, LLC (Maineville, Ohio) is a personalized medicine company dedicated to helping physicians determine the right drug at the right does for individual patients suffering from a range of medical conditions. The company is finalizing a transaction to accelerate market introduction and reduce commercial risk as the first product service to the mental health in the psychiatric market in 2008. The company has raised $3.3 million from Blue Chip Venture Company, CincyTech, Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Ohio Tech Angels Fund, and Queen City Angels. Presenter: Mark T. Byrne, CEO.
2:30–2:40pm — EraGen Biosciences, Inc. (Madison, Wisconsin) is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of next-generation molecular diagnostic genetic testing products for the early, accurate diagnosis of critical diseases. To date, the company has raised $21 million in financing from First Analysis Corporation, Novartis Venture Fund, and Prolog Ventures. EraGen is seeking $15 million in Series B preferred equity to advance its development and FDA approvals of new diagnostic tests and its sales of products to the clinical laboratory markets. Presenter: Irene Hrusovsky, President & CEO
2:40–2:50pm — Armune BioScience, Inc. (Kalamazoo, Michigan) was formed to develop and commercialize high value, protein signature-based diagnostic tests for prostate, lung and breast cancers that will allow physicians and patients to make better treatment decisions. Armune has received $1.15 million from the Sollins Family and S&T Enterprises. Presenter: Eli Thomssen, President & CEO.
2:50–3:00pm — Svelte Medical Systems (Bernardsville, New Jersey) is a privately held company focused on delivering novel products in the $5 Billion coronary stent market. Their mission is to address key clinical issues in the stent market, along with technology to create a non-polymeric Drug Eluting Stent. To date they received $8,000,000 from Apjohn Ventures. Presenter: Mark Pomeranz, President.
Wednesday October 1, 2008 – Track 2: Medical Device Company Showcase
2:00–2:10pm — Imalux Corporation (Cleveland, Ohio) is a medical imaging company leading the world in the development of Optical Coherence Tomography, a breakthrough medical imaging modality that is used to visualize tissue microstructure. They received $15 Million from investing firms such as: Early Stage Partners, Reservoir Venture, Symark LLC, Biomec, Bio Info Accelerator and R Capital. Presenter: Bill Sanford, Chairman & CEO.2:10–2:20pm — Symbios Medical Products (Indianapolis, Indiana) designs, manufactures, markets and sells pain management systems. The products sold currently are known as disposable pain pumps, which delivers post-operative analgesic pain medication to surgical sites or provide a regional pain block to a specific body area. To date they received in Series A: $3 Million, Series B: $2.5 Million of $6 million rounds from Hopewell Ventures. Presenter: Herb Senft, President.
2:20–2:30pm — VitalMediX, Inc. (Minneapolis, Minnesota) is a development stage company that developed a proprietary, rapidly deployable formulation called Tamiasyn that will potentially allow the human body to endure severe blood loss for an extended period of time and also inhibit human organ damage during the resuscitation process. To date they received $1 Million from Centrestone Ventures. Presenter: Jeffrey M. Williams, CEO.
2:30–2:40pm — CH Mack Inc. (Cincinnati, Ohio) provides a case management solution that extends the promise of consolidated Electronic Medical Records to long-term care scenarios. CH Mack provides true seamless integration with both provider and payor systems. To date CH Mack received $7,100,000 from Draper Triangle Ventures, Ft. Washington Investment Advisors, and Queen City Angels. Presenter: Chris Boue, CEO.
Wednesday October 1, 2008 – Track 3: Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Company Showcase
2:00–2:10pm — VasoGenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Lenexa, Kansas) is developing intravenous and controlled release drug treatments for addressing Heart Failure and other cardiac diseases in order to reduce the recurrence of these diseases and their resulting hospital and medical costs. To date VasoGenix received $4.6 Million from Kansas Bioscience Authority, Capital Midwest and Angel Investors. Presenter: G. Lee Southard, PhD, Chairman & CEO.2:10–2:20pm — AcelleRx Therapeutics (Cleveland, Ohio) is discovering and developing innovative biopharmaceuticals for treatment of ischemic disease. AcelleRx has received $2.5 million from Jumpstart, Blue Chip Venture Company, Northcoast Angels, Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center, and Xgen, Ltd. The company is raising $6 million in Series A financing to move to move the Stromal Derived Factor-1 plasmid through a Phase 1 clinical trial anticipated to start in early 2009. Presenter: Rahul Aras, President & CEO.
2:20–2:30pm — ImmuneWorks, Inc. (Indianapolis, Indiana) is a biopharmaceutical firm developing novel antigen-specific therapies and diagnostics for collagen V autoimmune diseases. The company’s initial commercial targets are Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IFP) and obliterative bronchiolitis (chronic lung transplant rejection). ImmuneWorks has received $2.225 million from Indiana Seed Fund I, Indiana 21st Century Research & Technology Fund, Indiana University Medical Group Foundation and some individual investors. Presenter: Wade Lange, President & CEO.
2:30–2:40pm — Cellectar, Inc. (Madison, Wisconsin) is a radiopharmaceuticals company that designs, develops and manufactures products to detect, treat and monitor a wide variety of human cancers. Cellectar has demonstrated uptake and specific retention of its product candidates in 100% of the 42 tumor types tested in proof-of-principle animal studies, and anti-tumor activity in an increasing number of these models, including breast, head & neck, prostate and lung cancer. The company has received $22 million from Continuum Investment Partners and Venture Investors, LLC. Presenter: William R. Clarke, MD, President & CEO.
2:40–2:50pm — ApoImmune, Inc. (Louisville, Kentucky) is a biotechnology company developing novel immunotherapies which are treatments based on the concept of regulating one’s immune system to fight disease. The first product will be a therapeutic vaccine for treating cervical cancer and HPV infection in women using the technology. ApoImmune has received $7.8 million including federal and state grants from Kentucky Seed Capital Fund, Amgen, Inc, Kentucky Commonwealth Seed Capital Fund, University of Louisville Research & Foundation, and Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation. A Phase 1 clinical trial is expected to being in Q 2/3 2009. Presenter: Steven Downey, President & CEO.
2:50–3:00pm — arGentis Pharmaceuticals (Memphis, Tennessee) is a specialty biopharmaceutical company in-licensing and further developing therapies with demonstrated proof-of-concept in autoimmunity and ophthalmology where there are few or no treatment options. The company has received $1.5 million from Innova Ventures and Angel Investors. arGentis is seeking $12 million in capital to advance their two lead therapies, to support R&D necessary to move the technology platforms forward, and to continue out-licensing initiatives for both product lines. Presenter: Buddy Lyons, CFO.
Thursday October 1, 2008 – Track 1: Biotech Company Showcase
11:30–11:40am — Chromatin Inc. (Chicago, Illinois) has invented, developed and commercialized the leading approach for adding multiple genes to crops. The company has formed partnerships with leading agricultural companies and is now expanding into the biofuels arena. To date, Chromatin received $13 Million from Burrill & Co, Illinois Ventures, Foragen Technologies Mgmt, Venture Investors and Physic Ventures.11:40–11:50am — Bexion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (Cincinnati, Ohio) is a start-up company focused on the development of cures for cancer. Bexion has a first-in-class biologic product with early data demonstrating tumor targeting and the potential for treatment of a broad range of human cancers. The company has received $639,000 from Ohio Tomorrow Fund, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, CincyTech, MTTI and SBIRGrant.
11:50–12:00pm — Venomix, Inc. (Kalamazoo, Michigan) is a high growth company with an extensive core technology platform that allows the rapid development of innovative agbio insecticide products that address significant and currently unmet market and regulatory needs. To date Venomix received $6.0 Million from SWMF Life Science Fund, Ann Arbor SPARK, and Open Prairie Ventures.
12:00–12:10pm — Ausio Pharmaceuticals (Cincinnati, Ohio) is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of safe and effective medicines for the aging population. Ausio received $13.15 Million from Sanitarium Health Food and New Zealand Association. Their target milestone for by 2011 is Series A financing of $10 Million.
12:10–12:20pm — Esclapeus Biopharmaceuticals, LLC, (Toledo, Ohio) is a start-up biotechnology company dedicated to discovery, development, and commercialization of a novel, first-in-class anti-obesity therapy medication. Esclapeus was founded in 2007 to commercialize its provisionally-patented “Small Molecule Intervention for Obesity” technology. They are currently located in Toledo, Ohio, and seek to establish its headquarters and R&D operation at the Advanced Technology Park of Northwest Ohio, adjacent to the University of Toledo College of Medicine.
Thursday October 1, 2008 – Track 2: MedTech Company Showcase
11:30–11:40am — OrthoData Inc. (Louisville, Kentucky) has developed an innovative diagnostic system that will allow orthopedic spine surgeons to accurately analyze spinal fusion progress and eliminate the need for follow up exploratory surgeries. The National Science Foundation awarded the company $348,000 in 2001 to fund primary research through the Spring of 2004. To date they received $1,100,000 from Kentucky Seed Capital Fund, Queen City Angels, Commonwealth Seed Capital Fund, Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation, Cardinal Venture Fund and OrthoData Founders.11:40–11:50am — Accord Biomaterials, Inc. (Ann Arbor, Michigan) is a biomedical device coatings lab developing medical devices with improved anticlotting and antimicrobial surfaces. Accord Biomaterials has received $1 million venture and $4 million total including grants from Arboretum Ventures, Sigvion Capital, Wolverine Venture Fund and SBIR. Accord is looking to raise $6 million in Series B financing in 2009 for Nogen catheter commercialization and subsequent product launches.
11:50–12:00pm — AxioMed Spine Corporation (Garfield Heights, Ohio) is a medical device company developing innovative, next generation spinal products focused on spinal function restoration. Their mission is to develop products focused on spinal function for patients with degenerative spine disease, thus advancing the standard of care beyond fusion and first generation discs. To date, they received $34.6 Million from investors such as; CID Capital, Thomas, McNerney & Partners, Investor Growth Capital, Primus Capital Funds, Reservoir Venture Partners and MB Ventures.
12:00–12:10pm — NeuWave Medical, Inc. (Madison, Wisconsin) is a University of Wisconsin start-up that develops minimally invasive technologies for the treatment of cancer. NeuWave’s core technology is a proprietary ablation system that provides substantial benefits over traditional thermal ablation techniques. To date they received $4,500,000 from Venture Investors and Advantage Capital.
12:10–12:20pm — Sword Diagnostics (Summit, Illinois) dramatically improves the detection of low concentrations of biomarkers in immunoassays and easily integrates into existing tests. Sword’s Raman spectroscopy-based detection technology is targeted for life science research, drug discovery and clinical diagnostics. To date they received $6,340,807 from NJTC Venture Fund, Calvert Social Investment Fund, and VenCore Solutions.
12:20–12:30pm — TissueGen (Dallas, Texas) is a medical device company whose patented technology enables creation of biodegradable polymer device with unique drug delivery capabilities. The company is focusing initial product development efforts on vascular stents. To date they received $1,720,000 and is seeking $8 Million in Series A funding to advance this product to human clinical trials.