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Recent News

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Introducing the Inaugural Cohort of Lab2Launch Residents!

We are thrilled to announce the first resident-startups of Lab2Launch, a new incubator at Emory University that enables early-stage biotech companies to develop or commercialize Emory IP. The companies that are moving to Lab2Launch are pushing the boundary of science and span a broad spectrum of biomedical innovation areas, including therapeutics, vaccine development, and imaging.

Learn more about our initial six companies below:

  • Emtherapro, led by CEO Kiran Pandey, PhD, has developed a multi-omics platform that advances precision medicine for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
  • MIGRA Therapeutics, led by President Lily Yang, MD, PhD, brings a cutting-edge drug delivery platform that precisely targets advanced and drug-resistant human cancers.
  • Cambium Oncology, led by Co-Founder Edmund K. Waller, MD, PhD, is developing a VIP-receptor antagonist drug that aims to restore the body’s immune response against cancer.
  • OncoSpherix, led by President & CEO Margaret K. Offermann, MD, PhD, is developing an innovative approach targeting hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs), a common feature in solid tumors, to suppress tumor growth with precision.
  • Pneumotactix, led by CEO Amy Leidy Paschall, PhD, is focused on developing therapeutics and vaccines to bolster patient resistance to pneumococcal infections.
  • Camerad Technologies, led by President Carson A. Wick, PhD, is pioneering a point-of-care patient photograph solution to enhance radiology studies within vital clinical context.

By joining the Lab2Launch community, innovators gain capital-efficient access to a well-equipped laboratory, programming, and networking opportunities in support of their business and technical goals. Speaking on becoming a Lab2Launch resident, Dr. Offermann said, “…We feel very fortunate that we will be working in the new Lab2Launch space, close to our Emory collaborators and surrounded by other entrepreneurs who are advancing technologies developed at Emory.”

Dr. Pandey shares similar thoughts, “As a startup that originated out of Emory, joining Lab2Launch was an easy decision for us. Besides providing world-class facilities and access to a variety of resources critical for early-stage companies, Lab2Launch makes it easy to network with world-class experts and fellow entrepreneurs, facilitates the exchange of ideas and resources, and fosters a sense of community.”

Lab2Launch is currently vetting new applicants for residency. If you would like to learn more about the program and the application process, visit the incubator page here.

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Exciting News from Our Portfolio Company, Dr. Noze Best!

We are thrilled to share a significant achievement from our portfolio company, Dr. Noze Best. It’s official – their pediatrician-approved nasal aspirator for children is available at Target!

At Dr. Noze Best, their dedication to children’s well-being and development shines through. With this innovative nasal aspirator, they are making it easier than ever for families to provide gentle and effective care for their little ones.

Learn more about Dr. Noze Best on their website.

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Celebrating Musheer Ahmed: Biolocity Portfolio Company CEO Named Georgia Tech’s 40 under 40

We are thrilled to congratulate Musheer Ahmed, the CEO and Founder of Codoxo, a Biolocity portfolio company, for being recognized as one of The Georgia Tech Alumni Association’s 40 under 40 honorees!

Musheer’s exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication have undoubtedly significantly impacted the biotech industry. As a part of the Biolocity family, we couldn’t be prouder of his achievements and the transformative work Codoxo is doing in healthcare.

This prestigious recognition is a testament to Musheer’s vision and contributions as an inspiring entrepreneur and a Georgia Tech alum. His forward-thinking approach has driven Codoxo’s success, positioning the company as a key player in the biotech landscape.

To view all the inspiring awardees recognized by The Georgia Tech Alumni Association’s 40 under 40, click here: https://www.gtalumni.org/s/1481/alumni/19/interior.aspx?sid=1481&gid=21&pgid=19274#gsc.tab=0.

Congratulations once again, Musheer! Your dedication and achievements are an inspiration to us all.

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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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NephroDI Therapeutics Strikes Deal for Revolutionary Kidney Disease Treatment

NephroDI

NephroDI Therapeutics, a Biolocity portfolio company, has made waves in the medical field with its recent agreement to develop a first-in-class treatment for a rare genetic disease affecting the kidneys. This development brings new hope to patients and their families who have been waiting for a targeted therapy to address congenital Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus (NDI). This collaboration is a testament to the power of scientific innovation and industry partnerships in driving advancements in healthcare and improving patient outcomes.

Learn more about this exciting news here.

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SIRPant Immunotherapeutics, Inc. received FDA clearance and IND application for their novel macrophage therapy (SIRPant-M)

SIRPant Immunotherapeutics, Inc

SIRPant Immunotherapeutics, Inc., a Biolocity portfolio company, has achieved a significant milestone in the field of immunotherapy. The company recently announced the FDA clearance of its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for SIRPant-M™, an autologous SIRPαlow activated macrophage immunotherapy. This exciting development marks a major step forward in the advancement of personalized and targeted treatments.

To learn more, visit the official announcement on SIRPant Immunotherapeutics’ website: https://sirpantimmunotx.com/news/sirpant-immunotherapeutics-announces-fda-clearance-of-ind-application-for-sirpant-m-autologous-sirp%ce%b1low-activated-macrophage-immunotherapy/.