Biolocity

Emory and Georgia Tech

Funding

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Breaking Boundaries in Biotech: Biolocity Reveals the 2023-2024 Awardees

 

Biolocity is proud to announce the exceptional 2023-2024 cohort awardees for funding and commercialization support through Biolocity Launch. These cutting-edge technologies are poised to revolutionize the field of biotech, bringing forth groundbreaking advancements that have the potential to reshape healthcare, drug delivery, and cancer therapies. We want to highlight the four outstanding awardees and explore their remarkable contributions to the future of biotechnology. 

 “There is an increasing pipeline of technologies impacting human health at Emory University and Georgia Tech. This year’s applicant pool was very competitive, and the projects selected to be a part of this cohort have a strong potential for commercialization,” says Courtney Law, Ph.D., managing director of Biolocity. “We are excited to work with this year’s awardees to advance their technology development toward the market and ultimately patient impact.” 

Biolocity selects projects through an annual, multi-stage application process that allows university innovators to receive pitch coaching, market assessments, and competitive analysis to cultivate commercial success. Faculty members work with entrepreneur advisors to de-risk their technology through each application stage. The final cohort is determined by an oversight committee of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, clinicians, biomedical engineers, and university technology transfer experts. 

Since 2015, the program has awarded more than $10.5 million across 67 projects, generating over 16.6 times that much follow-on investment. 

This year’s cohort includes: 

Cellcue Bio:  A 3D microfluidic platform with improved prediction of clinical outcomes for cell therapies leveraging the power of advanced microfluidic technology. This innovation could enhance the efficacy and safety of cell-based treatments, opening new avenues for personalized medicine and regenerative therapies. Project Leads: Andrés Garcia, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech) and Wilbur Lam (Emory University) 

Mageia Therapies:  A therapeutic enzyme to reverse immunosuppression in solid tumors.  By leveraging their expertise in immunology and oncology, Mageia Therapies seeks to unlock the full potential of the immune system in combating cancer. Their breakthrough approach directly targets a key signaling pathway in cancer immunosuppression, enabling immunotherapy for a variety of solid tumor types. Project Lead: John Blazeck, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech) 

Next-Gen 5-FU:  Safer and more effective next-generation 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) based therapeutics. By leveraging novel prodrug strategies and innovative formulations, they seek to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU-based compounds while minimizing adverse side effects. Project Leads: Dennis Liotta, Ph.D., Eric Miller, Ph.D., Nicole Pribut, Ph.D., and John Petros, MD (Emory University) 

OZ-Link:  A generalizable delivery platform that enables extended and precise drug delivery. By utilizing cutting-edge technologies and advanced formulation strategies, OZ-Link seeks to overcome the challenges associated with targeted drug delivery. Their groundbreaking platform has the potential to revolutionize various therapeutic areas. Project Leads: M.G. Finn, Ph.D. and Kasie Collins, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech) 

Biolocity continues to foster a culture of innovation and support for these pioneering scientists and entrepreneurs, inspiring and empowering them to bring their visionary technologies to fruition. Together, they will shape the future of biotechnology and positively impact countless lives. 

Learn more about Biolocity and our growing portfolio at biolocity.org.

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Biolocity Awards 6 Innovative Technologies with Commercialization Support

The Biolocity program has selected six promising technologies with the ability to impact patient health for its 2022-2023 cohort of Biolocity Launch. This year-long collaboration helps awardees commercialize their innovations by advancing through critical milestones.

The program includes mentoring from business advisors, project management support, and funding to accelerate technology development and reach commercial milestones. Housed in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Biolocity funding is open to all faculty at Emory University and Georgia Tech.

“There is a rich pipeline of promising patient-impacting technologies being developed at Emory University and Georgia Tech,” says Courtney Law, Ph.D., managing director of Biolocity. “This year’s applicant pool was very competitive, and the projects selected to be a part of this cohort have a strong potential for commercialization. We are excited to work with these passionate innovators to advance their technologies toward the market and ultimately patient impact.”

Biolocity selects projects through an annual, multi-stage application process that allows university innovators to receive pitch coaching, market assessments, and competitive analysis to cultivate commercial success. Faculty members work with entrepreneur advisors to de-risk their technology through each application stage. The final cohort is determined by an oversight committee of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, clinicians, biomedical engineers, and university technology transfer experts.

This year’s cohort includes:

  • Athena: Athena is 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).

In addition to project management and mentorship, awardees gain access to resources including incubators, accelerators, and venture capitalists that can potentially translate into follow-on investment or other business opportunities upon graduation from the Biolocity program.

Learn more about Biolocity and our portfolio at biolocity.org.

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Biolocity Selects 5 Promising Technologies for Funding

The Biolocity program has selected five promising and patient-focused technologies for its new cohort of Biolocity Launch, a year-long collaboration that helps faculty members commercialize their innovations.

The program includes mentoring from business advisors, project management support, and funding to accelerate technology development and reach commercial milestones. Housed in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Biolocity is open to all faculty at Emory University and Georgia Tech.

“We are fortunate that, despite the pandemic, there is a rich pipeline of promising patient-impacting technologies being developed at Emory University and Georgia Tech,” said Courtney Law, managing director of Biolocity. “This year’s applicant pool was competitive, and the projects selected to be a part of this cohort have a strong potential for commercialization. These innovators are passionate about improving human health, and we are excited to work with them to advance their technologies toward the market.”

Biolocity selects projects through an annual, multi-stage application process that provides university innovators with the opportunity to receive pitch coaching, market assessments, and competitive analysis to cultivate commercial success. Faculty members work with entrepreneur advisors to de-risk their technology through each application stage with the final cohort determined by an oversight committee of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, clinicians, biomedical engineers, and university technology transfer experts.

Since 2015, the program has awarded more than $8.7 million across 58 projects, generating over 10 times that much follow-on investment.

This year’s cohort includes:

  • 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); 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).

This is the first year that project funding for Biolocity has been expanded through a gift to the Emory School of Medicine from John and Rosemary Brown. They established an innovation-to-market fund to take a multi-pronged approach to advancing new technologies, including support for Biolocity.

“We are grateful for the generosity of the Brown Innovation Fund, which has allowed us to expand our commercialization support of technologies at Georgia Tech and Emory University. The Brown family’s vision to build partnerships across campuses allows us to continue our goal to support human health innovation at both institutions,” Law said.

Learn more about Biolocity and our portfolio at biolocity.org.

 

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Brown Family Innovation Gift

The Biolocity team is grateful for the generosity of John & Rosemary Brown in supporting our work to accelerate innovation.  Their gift will help expand our support of entrepreneurs at Emory and Georgia Tech who are developing early-stage biomedical technologies that positively impact patient health.  

Learn More Here

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Innovations Selected for Biolocity Launch

 

Five research innovations from Emory University and Georgia Tech selected for Biolocity Launch.

The Biolocity team is excited to announce the faculty-lead innovations selected to participate in the newest cohort of Biolocity Launch! In addition to receiving funding to support commercialization milestones, awardees join a year-long collaboration with consultants and business advisors for project management and longitudinal coaching to accelerate the development of their patient-impacting technologies.

Each year, Biolocity opens an intensive, multi-stage application process that provides applicants with the opportunity to receive pitch coaching, market assessments, and competitive analysis needed for commercial success. Faculty work with entrepreneur advisors to de-risk their technology at each application stage before final acceptance into the program by an oversight committee comprised of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, clinicians, biomedical engineers, and university technology transfer experts.

Below are the select projects included in this year’s cohort:

  1. Dynamic Sampling Platform: 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

“We are fortunate in this current climate to continue to be able to provide funding that will assist the commercialization of these promising technologies,” says Manuel Kingsley, interim director of the Biolocity Program. “While research may look different this year, the passion these innovators have for improving healthcare delivery is unwavering as is our team’s commitment to their advancement. We look forward to working with each awardee to support their technology development.”

Funding and commercialization support provided by Biolocity is used to bridge the gap in development between early-stage university research and its path to the market. If you are interested in commercialization guidance for a device, therapeutic, or platform technology with the ability to positively impact human health, schedule a meeting here.

To learn more about Biolocity’s funding and partnership opportunities, visit www.Biolocity.org.