By Shaoyu Chang, MD, MPH, Senior Research Manager & Asia Business Development Liaison, LSN
On September 13, a record number of 700 entrepreneurs and investors entered the exhibition hall at Westin Copley Place, Boston, MA. They were greeted by 30 Innovation Challenge finalists—companies from the biopharma, biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and digital health sectors. The teams were screened and selected from over a hundred applicants; all were very strong competitors, but only one winner could emerge from the all-day exhibition-style contest!
First Place: BioMedomics, Inc. (Durham, NC, USA)
BioMedomics, Inc. is a point-of-care (POC) diagnostics company focused on unique, disease-specific tests and highly advanced quantitative detection platforms. BioMedomics has successfully developed and marketed 3 novel tests for hemoglobinopathies: Sickle SCAN®, alpha-Thal SCAN®, and Hemo SCAN®. We also recently received regulatory approval, and are working towards product launch for a novel POC quantitative test for hemoglobin S (HbS) which is used in the treatment of Sickle Cell Disease. Additionally, quantitative POC tests for TSH, testosterone, vitamin D and troponin based on our patented high sensitivity Time Resolved diagnostics platform and a rapid POC test for beta-thalassemia, are also under development.
Frank Wang, PhD, CEO, BioMedomics
Second Place: Epitel (Salt Lake City, UT, USA)
Epitel develops wireless transmitter and data logging systems for both pre-clinical animal models of human disease and validated clinical wearables. Epitel currently sells its EpochTM wireless biopotential monitoring system for rodents through a network of research product resellers. Epitel spun out of the University of Utah to develop medical devices based on its patented miniature wireless technology. This technology enables very low power transmission of biopotentials which translates to discrete wearables. Epitel’s clinical market is long-term monitoring of EEG with discreet wearables focusing on seizure counting in epilepsy and sleep quality monitoring for sleep disorders and sleep health. Epitel’s team includes biomedical, electrical, and regulatory engineers with experience in the healthcare industry, as well as business and healthcare advisors.
Michael Quigley, VP of Market Research, Life Science Nation | Jean Marie Wheeler, Regulatory Science and Engineering, Epitel | Mark Lehmkuhle, CEO,CTO, Epitel
Third Place: Novoron Bioscience, Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA)
Novoron Bioscience, Inc., is a pre-clinical stage biotech startup committed to developing the first ever neuro-regenerative therapies. The mechanistic foundation of our therapeutic platform has been shown to be effective at regenerating multiple cell types in the central nervous system, and we are currently developing our lead biologic molecule for multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury. To date we have raised $1.25 MM in non-dilutive funds and are currently looking to raise $2.5 MM to complete lead optimization for our MS indication. Novoron has assembled a strong team consisting of the inventors of the technology, experienced biotech executives, and renowned clinicians and researchers that will be able to successfully develop our novel therapeutic platform into a neuro-regenerative human drug.
Michael Quigley, VP of Market Research, Life Science Nation | Dr. Travis Stiles, CEO & President, Novoron Bioscience
Thank you to all who competed in RESI X Innovation Challenge, and to all the RESI attendees who took part by investing their votes in their favorite competing companies. If you’d like to be part of the RESI San Francisco Innovation Challenge, apply now.
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