Funding Year 2023-2024
- Cellcue Bio: A 3D microfluidic platform for cell therapies with improved prediction of clinical outcomes
- Mageia Therapeutics: An engineered therapeutic enzyme to reverse immunosuppression in solid tumors
- OZ-Link: A generalizable delivery platform that enables the extended and precise controlled release of protein therapeutics.
- Next-Gen 5-FU-Based Therapeutics: Safer and more effective next-generation 5-FU-based therapeutics.
Past Projects
Funding Year 2022-2023
- Athena: An early-stage cell therapy company developing a mesothelin-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell product, for the treatment of mesothelioma and other mesothelin expressing solid tumors. Principal Investigator: Crystal Paulos, Ph.D. (Emory University).
- Bystro by revXon: A search engine for your life-sciences data. Principal Investigator: Thomas Wingo, MD (Emory University).
- DexaPatch: Low-swelling, steroid-releasing, implantable hydrogel platform to reduce post-operative inflammation in tight surgical spaces. Principal Investigators: Andrés Garcia, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech), Adam Klein, M.D., Daniel Refai, M.D., Stephen Linderman, M.D., Ph.D. (Emory).
- MagTrack: MagTrack is a wearable alternative controller that simplifies power wheelchair driving and the control of digital devices for people living with tetraplegia. Principal Investigators: Nordine Sebhki, Ph.D., and. Omer Inan, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech).
- Orally Bioavailable CXCR4 Antagonists for the Treatment of Cancer: Best-In-Class Orally Bioavailable CXCR4 Antagonists Heat Up Solid Tumors. Principal Investigators: Dennis Liotta, Ph.D., Eric Miller, Ph.D., Haydn Kissick, Ph.D., and John Petros, M.D. (Emory University).
- ProLymph Nano: Drug delivery technology unlocks new market opportunities by targeting the lymphatic system. Principal Investigator: Susan Thomas, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech).
Funding Year 2021-2022
- Agrithera: A therapeutic strategy to overcome the pharmacological drawbacks of cannabidiol (CBD) for epilepsy treatment by creating precursor molecules that metabolize to CBD in the body. Principal Investigators: Dennis Liotta, Ph.D., and Stephen Traynelis, Ph.D., Emory University.
- NiPro: A customized nipple prosthesis with a subcutaneous anchoring system to help patients with body image issues after breast reconstruction. Principal Investigator: Nick Boulis, M.D., Emory University.
- Sanicka: A clinical decision support tool to aid treatment selection and optimization for leukemia patients. Principal Investigators: Ana Quiroga, Ph.D., and Sakis Mantalaris, Ph.D., Georgia Tech; and Nicki Panoskaltsis, M.D., Ph.D., Emory University.
- Sleep Monitoring Biopatch: A soft, wearable biosensor patch and accompanying software to enable at-home sleep testing. Principal Investigators: Hong Yeo, Ph.D., Georgia Tech and Paul Zolty, M.D., Piedmont Hospital.
- Urearetics: A novel mechanism to treat uremic pericarditis and pericardial effusions in chronic kidney disease patients by inhibiting urea transport. Principal Investigators: Jeff Sands, M.D.; Janet Klein, Ph.D.; and Xiaonan Wang, M.D., Emory University.
Funding Year 2020-2021
- Dynamic Sampling Platform (now incorporated as Andson Biotech): This platform technology aims to provide simple, accurate, and low-cost quality monitoring for cell therapy bioreactors. Principal Investigators: Andrei Fedorov, PhD, Georgia Tech, Edwin Horwitz, MD, Emory University, and Mason Chilmonczyk, PhD, Georgia Tech.
- Focused Cryo: A cryoablation system designed to aid in targeting peripheral nerves in a highly precise manner. The platform has applications in metabolic syndromes, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic pain. Principal Investigators: David Prologo, MD, FSIR, Emory University.
- NanoCliq: A vaccine technology that leverages protein nanoparticle platform to prevent the onset of Leishmaniasis, a fatal disease that currently has no vaccine available. Principal Investigator: M.G. Finn, PhD, Georgia Tech.
- New Therapeutic for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): The development of an LRH-1 agonist drug which increases innate steroid production specifically at the site of inflammation in the gut. Principal Investigators: Nathan Jui, PhD, Emory University, Eric Ortlund, PhD, Emory University, and John Calvert, PhD, Emory University.
- Twice Therapeutics: A two-step method that can deliver long-lasting gene therapies to diseased tissues without re-engineering viruses. Principal Investigators: James Dahlman, PhD, Georgia Tech and Eric Sorscher, MD, Emory University
- Tricuspid Leaflet Enhancer (TriLEN): A modified leaflet implant that can be sized for pediatric patients to repair tricuspid or atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Principal Investigator: Muralidhar Padala, PhD, Emory University. Support for this project is in partnership with Additional Ventures.
- Piggy-Back Heart: A self-powered heart pump that harvests native motion of the right ventricle to enhance blood flow in Fontan circulation for patients with hypoplastic left or right heart syndrome. Principal Investigator: Muralidhar Padala, PhD, Emory University. Support for this project is in partnership with Additional Ventures.
Funding Year 2019-2020
- 12X Bone Regeneration for Spinal Fusion: a re-purposed, generic small molecule that induces bone formation to improve spinal fusion and prevent non-union. Principal Investigators: Nick Willett, PhD, Emory University, Scott Boden, MD, Emory University, Sreedhara Sangadala, PhD, Emory University.
- Heteroresistance AST: an approach to determine antibiotic susceptibility, resistance, and hetero resistance within two hours of blood culture. Principal Investigators: David Weiss, PhD, Emory University and Peter Yunker, PhD Georgia Tech.
- SaGA for Cancer Drug Discovery: a proprietary platform technology utilizing a novel isolation assay for metastatic “leader” cells in solid tumors to develop novel cancer therapeutics. Principal Investigator: Adam Marcus, PhD, Emory University.
- SIRPant Immunotherapeutics: SIRPαlow engineered macrophages immunotherapy for treatment of solid tumors. Principal Investigators: Yuan Li, PhD, Georgia State University and Ned Waller, MD, PhD, FACP, Emory University.
- Verso Transcaval Docking Station: a device that allows clinicians to precisely deliver and position existing transcatheter aortic or mitral valves in the IVC for treatment of Tricuspid Regurgitation. Principal Investigator: Jorge Jimenez, PhD, Georgia Tech.
Funding Year 2018-2019
- Marpe Therapeutics: (formerly Antiviral Peptide): a broad-spectrum antiviral drug used for the treatment of 3 pandemic viruses: Influenza, Zika, and Dengue. This is the second year of funding for the Antiviral project. Principal Investigator: Joshy Jacobs (Emory).
- AD Diagnostic: a mass spectrometry-based immunoassay that can detect and track biomarkers to determine progression of neurodegenerative disease earlier and more reliably than clinical manifestation of symptoms. Principal Investigators: Allan Levey, MD, PhD (Emory), Duc Duong (Emory), Nick Seyfried, PhD (Emory).
- Guide Therapeutics: (formerly Nanoparticles/RNA Barcodes): a high throughput DNA barcoding platform that identifies lipid nanoparticles that can deliver gene therapies to targeted tissues and organs with high specificity. Principal Investigator: James Dahlman, PhD (Georgia Tech).
- Steerable Guidewire: a robotically steerable guidewire tip to enable greater maneuverability and navigation in peripheral vascular spaces. Principal Investigators: Jaydev Desai, PhD (Georgia Tech), Zach Bercu, MD, RPVI (Emory).
- Lybbie: (formerly TUMAAS Breast Pump): a wearable, portable breast pump that can draw milk with minimal noise. Principal Investigator: Andrea Joyner, MD, FACOG, IBCLC (Emory).
- Wheelchair In-seat Activity Tracker (WiSAT): an in-seat activity tracker for those with spinal cord injury to encourage weight shifts and reduce pressure ulcer formation. Principal Investigators: Sharon Sonenblum, PhD (Georgia Tech) and Stephen Sprigle, PhD (Georgia Tech). Support for this project is in partnership with the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute.
Funding Year 2017-2018
- Marpe Therapeutics: (formerly Antiviral Peptide) a broad-spectrum antiviral drug used for the treatment of 3 pandemic viruses: Influenza, Zika, and Dengue. Principal Investigator: Joshy Jacobs (Emory).
- Biological Pacemaker: a heart pacing treatment for pediatric patients; this RNA and small molecule combination therapy converts cardiomyocytes into pacemaking cells, eliminating the need for an implantable heart-pacing device. Principal investigators: Hee Cheol Cho (Emory), Jonathan Langberg (Emory), Phil Santangelo (Georgia Tech).
- Centizyme: (formerly Inhaled GeneRges)an antisense technology consisting of a topical gold nanoparticle coated with specific deoxyribozymes (DNAzymes), which regulate and silence pro-inflammatory cytokines that cause severe asthma exacerbations. Principal investigators: Cherry Wongtrakool (Emory) and Khalid Salaita (Emory).
- NephroDI Therapeutics: a new therapeutic that restores water balance in pediatric patients with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), an x-linked genetic disorder that can lead to mental retardation as a result of dehydration. Principal investigators: Janet Klein (Emory) and Jeff Sands (Emory).
- Periurethral Targeting Device: a device that will allow direct, controlled placement of bulking agents into the female urethra thereby increasing the efficacy of stress urinary incontinence treatment. Principal Investigator: Niall Galloway (Emory).
Funding Year 2016-2017
- CorAmi: A drug delivery platform for localized delivery of therapeutic-seeded hydrogels to the pericardial space. This is the second year of funding for Ad Cor (known last year as Levit Catheter). Principal investigators: Andrés García (Georgia Tech/Petit Institute researcher), Rebecca Levitt (Emory).
- CAR T Cell Manufacturing: Cell processing and treatment technologies that will enable better manufacturing and functionalization of therapeutic T-Cells for patients with Diffuse B Cell Leukemia. Principal investigators: Todd Sulchek (Georgia Tech/Petit Institute researcher), Edmund Waller (Emory/Petit Institute researcher).
- CODOXO (formerly FraudScope): Provides intelligent claims analysis to help identify, address, and mitigate payment of fraudulent healthcare billing. Principal investigators: Musheer Ahmed (Georgia Tech), Mustaque Ahamad (Georgia Tech), Richard Duszak (Emory).
- MitraPlug: A transcatheter implant that seeks to “plug” the fluid path, which is seen in patients with mitral regurgitation. Principal investigators: Murali Padala (Emory/Petit Institute researcher), Eric Sarin (Emory).
- Subconjunctival Injector: A device which allows for safe, efficient, and controlled delivery of ophthalmic therapeutics to the subconjunctival space of the eye. Principal investigators: Ross Ethier (Georgia Tech/Petit Institute researcher), Rand Allingham (Duke University).
Funding Year 2015-2016
- Sanguina (formerly AnemoCheck): a simple, disposable, handheld biochemical device that is inexpensive, accurate and provides a quantitative evaluation of anemia in less than two minutes (principal investigators: Wilbur Lam and Erika Tyburski).
- AngioCloud: cloud-based software that assists interventional neurologists with the selection and deployment of flow diverters for the treatment of unruptured brain aneurysms (principal investigators: Frank Tong and Alessandro Veneziani).
- Cardiovascular MR Imaging: method of uploading, displaying, and automatically analyzing cardiovascular magnetic resonance function, viability and perfusion studies (principal investigators: Ernest Garcia, John Oshinski, Gerald Pohost and Anthony Yezzi).
- InvisiCool: gel to alleviate heat-related pain while not otherwise affecting the effectiveness of laser treatments (principal investigators: Jeff Dover, Andrei Fedorov and Craig Green).
- New CRRT K: a low-volume, low-error continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) device for pediatric patients. There are currently no FDA-approved CRRT devices for patients who weigh less than 20 kilograms, and the KIDS technology is being developed to meet this unmet need (principal investigators: Shiva Arjunon and Matt Paden).
- CorAmi: (formerly Levit Catheter) a drug delivery catheter for localized delivery of therapeutic-seeded hydrogels to the pericardial space (principal investigators: Andres Garcia and Rebecca Levit).
- Nanocomposite Scintillators: an imaging replacement for current, expensive crystals (principal investigators: Brooke Beckert, Eric Elder and Jason Nadler).
- IC3D: an imaging silicon chip for Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) procedures with improved visualization for physicians (principal investigators: Levent Degertekin and Habib Samady).