Congratulations to the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge Winners at RESI JPM 2025 

By Claire Jeong, Chief Conference Officer, Vice President of Investor Research, Asia BD, LSN

At RESI JPM 2025, 56 companies participated in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC). These finalist companies pitched to an audience and fielded questions from an investor judges panel, as well as showcased their technology at the conference in the IPC exhibition hall.

Registered RESI attendees, including startup executives, early-stage investors, and industry experts, voted for their favorite IPC company using RESI cash provided. Votes were based on the pitch company’s presentation and networking in the exhibit hall and their performance in the Q&A portion of their pitch session.

Life Science Nation is thrilled to announce the winners who received the most votes during RESI JPM 2025. Congratulations to all the winners for their exceptional contributions and to all participants for showcasing their inspiring innovations!

First Place: Kimaritec

Kimaritec is a pre-clinical-stage small molecule therapeutics company with lead programs in cancer and a platform technology applicable to many targets and for future indications including neurological disorders. We develop inhibitors that selectively block SUMOylation, a post-translational modification used by cancer cells to stabilise target proteins. Blocking specific SUMOylation events induces Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) or inhibits protein function leading to anti-cancer outcomes. In vitro Proof-of-Concept has been achieved for two cancer targets o Because SUMOylation inhibition is a new paradigm for TPD, we chose EGFR as a demonstration target. A hit molecule series causes EGFR degradation and reduces cancer cell growth. o Kimaritec’s lead commercial program is a first-in-class inhibitor of a undrugged transcription factor required for tumour initiation and growth. We seek a $4M seed investment to focus on the commercial target, to progress our molecules through a drug discovery process and achieve IND candidate status by 2027.

Dennis Ford, Founder and CEO of Life Science Nation, Creator of the RESI Conference Series | Sally Stephenson, Founder, Kimaritec Pty Ltd | Greg Mannix, VP, International Business Development, Life Science Nation

Second Place: Molecular You

Molecular You is the first and only multi-biomarker analytics platform, designed to support providers with early detection of disease in over 26 areas. This AI-powered platform analyzes 250+ protein and metabolite biomarkers and gives practitioners evidence-based lifestyle recommendations to tackle disease risk. The product is in-market, selling through clinics across the US and Canada looking to offer the most advanced preventive testing to their patients. In Q4 2024, the company also signed a distribution and licensing deal with a nationwide lab partner, HealthQuest Esoterics. This deal will expose Molecular You’s offering to over 1 million patients, through multiple verticals already established by the partner. Molecular You is raising a $6 million SAFE, with $3 million committed.

Haiyan Yang, Ph.D., MBA, VP Operations, Co-founder, Molecular You | Joey Wong, Director of Investor Research, Life Science Nation | Gene Shkolnikov, CTO, Molecular You | Rob Fraser, Ph.D., CSO + President, Co-founder, Molecular You | Dennis Ford, Founder and CEO of Life Science Nation, Creator of the RESI Conference Series

Third Place: Rhythm Biotherapeutics

Rhythm Biotherapeutics is focused on addressing a critical unmet need: preventing and treating atrial fibrillation (AF), a chronic, progressive, and life-threatening disease. AF occurs in 30% to 50% of patients undergoing open-chest cardiac surgery, leading to increased costs, morbidity and mortality. Our lead asset is a prophylactic human cardiac exosome therapy that has demonstrated an 87% reduction in postoperative AF in extensive and compelling preclinical studies that confirm safety, efficacy, and a mechanism of action targeting the cause of AF: inflammation and fibrosis. Dr. Darryl Davis, our founder and CEO/CSO, is a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist, globally recognized as the leading expert on using human exosomes to treat heart rhythm disorders. Our platform pipeline includes indications for patients with paroxysmal AF. We are raising a $3 million seed2 round to complete our phase 1 clinical trial, to advance our preclinical pipeline therapies, and secure strategic partnerships.

Dennis Ford, Founder and CEO of Life Science Nation, Creator of the RESI Conference Series | Julia Pomoransky, Chief Business Officer, Capital Bioventures | Erika Wu, Business Development Manager, Life Science Nation

For those interested in participating in the next Innovator’s Pitch Challenge, applications are now open for RESI Europe 2025. This event will take place on April 1 at the InterContinental Barcelona, featuring a one-day in-person conference followed by two days of virtual partnering. Early application is encouraged as spots are filled on a rolling basis.

Additionally, registration for RESI Europe is now open with super early bird rates available. Prospective attendees can save €400 by registering before Friday, January 31.