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Belite Bio
Based on research from the lab of Konstantin Petrukhin, Professor of Ophthalmic Science, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Medical Center
Belite Bio is a drug development company with the focus on first-in-class RBP4 technology for unmet medical needs. The Company leverages its deep ties to top-tier research institutions and scientific expertise to uncover strong drug candidates with novel mechanisms, advance them through the clinical pipeline and then out-license these assets for global partnership and co-development. The portfolios cover 453 compounds in the RBP4 platform technology with strong IP protection, in partnership with Columbia University and NIH blueprint program (BPN). Belite Bio’s pipeline consists two distinct small molecule drug candidates targeting ophthalmology and inflammatory/metabolic degenerative indications. The lead clinical asset is LBS-008, a small molecule oral treatment for Stargardt disease and dry age-related macular degeneration. LBS-008 binds to and inhibits the RBP4 protein, preventing production of lipofuscin bisretinoids, cytotoxic by-products of the visual that contribute to pathogenesis of dry AMD and Stargardt disease. It is currently in Phase 1 with positive safety and PK-PD readouts and this result will be presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting as an oral presentation in October 2019. Belite has received Rare Pediatric Designation (RPD) and Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for LBS-008. Belite is currently seeking Series A funding to advance LBS-008 program.
Presented by: Konstantin Petrukhin, member of Belite Bio's Scientific Advisory Board
Slides available here.
Aptatek BioSciences
Based on research from the labs of Milan Stojanovic, Professor of Medical Sciences (in Medicine) and Biomedical Engineering; and Tilla Worgall, Associate Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology at the Columbia University Medical Center
Aptatek Biosciences is developing a connected platform for home and clinic-based rapid testing of small molecule biomarkers critical to routine monitoring of patient response to therapy, disease status and wellness.
The push toward decentralized healthcare delivery, enabled by digital data connectivity between patients and caregivers, is creating opportunities to facilitate day-to-day monitoring of a patient’s own health and wellness. Success of such patient-directed disease monitoring will require the ability to measure key biomarkers in a rapid, home-based format connectable to care providers. Aptatek quantitatively detects small molecule biomarkers in a handheld, portable, cell phone app-driven format. The system uses patented aptamer technology developed at Columbia University which allows detection of a wide range small molecule biomarkers such as metabolites, amino acids and hormones, directly in blood or other biological samples. The company’s portable system comprised of a battery powered reader, disposable test cartridge and app for test management and analysis. The first application is for phenylketonuria, an inborn metabolic disease which requires routine monitoring for diet and therapy modulation and for which Aptatek received FDA Breakthrough Device designation. The platform has future applications in dialysis, chronic kidney disease and other inborn metabolic diseases for continuous and discontinuous monitoring, drug development and wellness.
DN Therapeutics
Based on research from the lab of Lloyd Greene, Professor of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center
DN Therapeutics (DNT) is a spin off from Columbia University focusing on pre‐clinical and early clinical development of novel cell-penetrating transcription factor inhibitors (TFIs) as treatment for a wide range of cancers including melanoma, mesothelioma, neuroblastoma and cancers of the breast, colon, pancreas, and lung with initial focus on glioblastoma (GBM). TFIs are biological constructs that can be synthesized on commercial scale and that will have the capacity to penetrate the blood brain barrier in animal models. Development of the DNT’s lead compounds benefited from more than $2 million in grant support. Columbia University has filed for patent protection on composition of matter and utility claims through 2038. DNT intends to file an IND within 30 months from funding. Cost of development through completion of first-in-man studies is expected to be $11 million. DNT’s novel TFIs address blockbuster market potential with unmet medical need in the case of GBM. We anticipate selling DNT or executing a co‐development agreement with pharma within 5 years from funding. The Company’s value at that time could exceed $100 million, providing investors with 10x ROI.
Many diseases are caused by deficits in the stability, expression, or proper targeting of one or more proteins. Post-translational stabilization of such proteins is a potentially powerful therapeutic strategy that has not yet been achieved. We have developed a proprietary platform technology¾ engineered deubiquitinases (enDUBs)¾ to selectively tune the ubiquitin status of target proteins to restore expression and function to treat diseases. As a first indication for this technology, we have targeted cystic fibrosis (CF), a devastating monogenic rare disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in a chloride channel (CFTR), that results in lung damage and premature death. CF represents a huge unmet clinical need with a multi-billion-dollar market potential. Many CF mutations result in reduced trafficking of CFTR to the surface of epithelial cells lining the lungs. In proof-of-concept studies we have shown that enDUBs correct this basic deficit with greater efficiency than the FDA-approved pharmacological corrector, lumacaftor, currently on the market. Excitingly, enDUB and lumacaftor together have a synergistic impact leading to a super rescue of CFTR surface trafficking and function. We are seeking investment partners to move this early-stage technology through pre-clinical studies with the aim of filing an IND for CF therapy within two years.
Presented by: Henry M. Colecraft, Ph.D.
Professor of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, and Pharmacology
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Slides available here.
Rover Diagnostics
Based on research from the lab of Sam Sia, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University Department of Biomedical Engineering
Rover’s ultrafast, portable PCR technology is based on two breakthroughs in science and engineering and it meets all the conditions for successful point-of-care PCR. First, we use microfluidic sample preparation developed by Prof. Sam Sia’s lab at Columbia University’s Dept. of Bioengineering. This technology allows us to eliminate expensive, complex sample prep equipment in favor of a small, disposable chip. Second, we use a new approach to thermal cycling that bypasses the standard Peltier device which requires 40-60 minutes for amplification. Instead of radiant heat coming from outside the vial or well, we use photothermal gold nanoparticles to generate heat from inside. The result is thermal cycling that is 10x faster and uses 100x less energy than is possible today. Rover will combine these two technologies into an easy-to-use, sample-to-answer instrument. Furthermore, we will integrate HIPAA-compliant cloud access to allow for instant notification and large-scale data analysis. Rover Diagnostics has raised an initial seed round and produced its first prototype demonstrating ultrafast PCR amplification
Proterris
Based on research from the lab of David Pinsky, (former) Associate Professor of Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons
Proterris is a P2/3 clinical-stage firm that has pooled a dominant IP position in therapeutic uses of inhaled and small-molecule carbon monoxide. CO’s therapeutic rationale has been supported by more than 50 preclinical studies and several clinical trials, including those supported with ~$32 million in NIH and DoD funding to date. The therapeutic indications addressable by both inhaled CO (iCO) and CO-releasing molecules (CORMs) cover a wide range of fibrotic, transplantation, other ischemia-reperfusion injury, oncology and anti-inflammatory disorders. Proterris has prioritized CO development in kidney and lung transplant, immuno-oncology and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with significant opportunities in a number of other indications, including but not limited to acute kidney injury (AKI), renal fibrosis, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
CalCardia
Based on research led by Steven Marx, Herbert and Florence Irving Professor of Cardiology (in Medicine) to Honor Dr. Le Roy E. Rabbani, Columbia University Department of Medicine
Heart failure is a progressive disorder of weakening heart muscle and increased risk of fatal arrhythmias that affects 5 million Americans. Abnormal calcium overload within heart muscle cells plays a key role in the development and progression of this disorder. Currently available therapies only indirectly improve calcium handling and have limited efficacy. We have recently made a series of seminal discoveries identifying critical protein interactions that regulate calcium levels in heart muscle cells. Using a comprehensive screening program, we have identified four compounds that regulate these pathways and are testing them as novel therapies for the treatment of heart failure. These compounds may also be useful for treating other conditions caused by abnormal calcium handling such as CPVT (catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia), a rare inherited disorder characterized by fatal arrhythmias during strenuous activity in young individuals. This provides a unique opportunity to pursue orphan drug status in order to qualify for specialized FDA funding and fast-track drug approval. We are currently seeking funds to expand our screening and pre-clinical testing program.
ZSS Microsystems
Based on research from the lab of Mingoo Seok, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering, Columbia University
Our technology uses mixed signal circuitry to perform the main computations of deep learning within the SRAM block. This technology will serve to accelerate machine learning at the edge for the ever-growing internet-of-things market such as UAV and wearables. Machine learning’s main computation primitive is multiply and accumulate (MAC). Algorithmic research has been able to create methodology which can reduce MAC computation to binary while maintaining accuracy for many real world metrics. Our technology utilizes capacitive coupling to perform binary MAC in the analog domain which substantially increases the throughput and lowers the energy cost. The technology also uses capacitor based unit of charge which is superior to current based computing method for having lower variability. The in-memory-computing module is integrated with an easy-to-integrate microcontroller such that it can be effortless be utilized in consumer IoT products.
FlexFuture
Based on research from the lab of Yuan Yang, Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering in the Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University
FlexFuture is offering innovative and flexible rechargeable batteries (FLEX. F series) for reducing design limitations in wearable devices and enabling new breakthrough technologies of flexible electronics. With bio-inspired structural designs, FEM simulation assistance and unique polymer additives, FLEX. F series have adaptable flexibility and high-energy-density to enable stable deformability and longer-operation time in flexible electronics, while maintaining compatible fabrication process.
Digital Chefs
Based on research from the lab of Hod Lipson, James and Sally Scapa Professor of Innovation in the Department of Mechanical Engineering; Co-Director, Maker Space Facility, Columbia University
Imagine a personal chef who knows your personal eating habits, dietary restrictions, all at the press of a button. At the Creative Machines Lab we are developing novel approaches to assembling cooked meals. We leverage additive manufacturing technology to deposit food ingredients and directed laser beams to cook food as it is being assembled. We have already proven the ability to print a host of different ingredients (e.g. doughs, meats, and vegetables) and cook a range of foods to varying degrees (e.g. browning, baking, and broiling). The true innovation lies in combining these two processes into one functional machine to provide end-to-end cooking at a local level. Being able to combine ingredients with precision heating techniques gives us limitless ability to create new flavor profiles and customized meals. Because we can control the deposition and heating of food via software, we can tailor the recipe and nutrition on a per person basis. This digital cooking technique has a number of applications including military, space, hospital, and commercial settings.
Solar Hygro
Based on research from the lab of Ozgur Sahin, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and of Physics, Columbia University
Solar Hygro’s technology harnesses energy from evaporation, a vast, untapped source of renewable energy. The technology relies on special materials that generate large forces when they absorb and release water vapor. Devices incorporating these materials drive electrical generators to produce electricity as water evaporates. Solar Hygro’s technology offers two important advantages. First, the materials involved are low cost and abundant, leading to lower capital costs. Second, power can be supplied continuously throughout the day or when demand is high, eliminating the need for battery storage.
AlgiKnit
Based on research from the lab of Helen Lu, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
AlgiKnit is a clean technology company developing algae-derived yarns for applications in the $1.2 trillion fashion industry. Founded by a group of designers, AlgiKnit is addressing the need for sustainable materials in one of the most polluting industries on earth. AlgiKnit is developing its fibers to have the performance of today's conventional materials and to be non-toxic, biodegradable, and to fit into a circular economy. In the last two years, AlgiKnit has raised over $2.25M in venture funding from Horizons Ventures and SOSV, and has been honored by National Geographic and the Postcode Green Challenge. AlgiKnit is a tiny fiber with a big impact.
AzzTek is devoted to tackling lung cancer at its earliest and most curable stages by bringing the science of exhaled air analysis to a practical point-of-care tool. Patient and provider engagement are simplified. A single exhalation and rapid (~5 minute) readout yields insights that could increase the positive predictive value of the existing lung cancer screening standard of care by an order of magnitude. The practical result: higher screening participation, more early stage true positives caught, and more lives saved, all with a drastic reduction in false positive morbidity and mortality. Implementation as a pre-screening tool is congruent with the Triple Aim, while simultaneously creating direct economic value for health systems and payors alike.
Coagulo Medical Technologies, Inc. is advancing a new point-of-care (PoC) precision-medicine platform developed at MIT and MGH for the evaluation of blood coagulation. Our approach uses patent-pending microfluidic technology and proprietary algorithms to assess a patient’s coagulation function and pinpoint abnormalities across the entire clotting cascade. Continued optimization of the platform will deliver the first-ever AI-based coagulation monitoring tool for both clinicians and researchers. Coagulo’s groundbreaking technology enables, for the first time, a personalized-medicine approach to coagulation management for both acquired and congenital coagulopathies.
Greenore Cleantech
Based on research from the lab of Ah-Hyung (Alissa) Park, Lenfest Chair in Applied Climate Science, Director of Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy, Columbia University
Greenore Cleantech is a start-up from Columbia Engineering based on unconventional resource utilization and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) research from the lab of Professor Ah-Hyung (Alissa) Park. Greenore Cleantech's technology converts iron and steel making by-product, slag, into valuable chemical products (calcium carbonate, iron oxide, silica, alumina and possibly rare earth concentrate depending on the feed) while consuming CO2 as a reactant. The company focuses on providing technical services through the full life cycle of its technology and has also established a joint-venture with China Baotou Steel (Group) in November 2017. A pilot plant with $5M capex has been commissioned this spring, which is also the 1st industrial prototype of its kind in the world. A scale-up commercial plant with total investment estimate of $50M with >90% committed from Boutou Steel will be launched Q4 2019. In addition, Greenore Cleantech has won the Mission Innovation grant from the South Korean government in November 2018 and signed a joint demonstration project MOU with Japan Coal Energy Center, Wyoming Infrastructure Authority and Columbia Engineering in June 2019.
Presented by: Xiaozhou Sean Zhou, Ph.D. Co-Founder & CEO, and Zachariah Brown, Chief Strategy Officer
Slides available here.
Landsdowne Labs
Based on research from the lab of Robert Langer, Institute Professor, MIT; Koch Center for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT
Landsdowne Labs, a spinout from the world-renowned Langer Labs at MIT, is developing hard tech innovations that have world changing potential. The company’s first product, called ChildLok, is an innovate button battery technology designed to deactivate batteries following accidental ingestion, made possible by advanced material science. Landsdowne Labs is commercializing this groundbreaking technology for global companies seeking a turnkey, low cost solution to the growing button battery health crisis. The company raised a seed round of $2.8M in Q1 2018.
PhAST is a Boston-based seed-stage AI healthcare company developing computer vision technology for rapid pathogen identification and antibiotic resistance detection directly from patient samples. Our platform provides clinical decision support for doctors, workflow improvement for hospitals, and helps accelerate the drug development process for pharmaceutical companies. PhAST has raised $4.5M in seed financing including competitive grant funding from the NIH and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, signed its first customer, and established research collaborations with two world-class institutions at the Harvard Medical School.
Pirouette Medical is a medical device company that focuses on highly differentiated drug delivery devices with a focus on improving the patient experience. The patented auto-injector technology has initially been paired with Epinephrine, but is applicable to a number of other emergency and routine injections.
Theradaptive is a regenerative medicine company developing a therapeutic delivery platform for targeted tissue regeneration with an addressable market >$80B. Our therapeutics are based on a proprietary method to convert any recombinant protein into a material-binding variant. This permits any device or material to be coated with a therapeutic protein similar to a paint. It is now possible to coat implants, devices, and injectable carriers to target any therapeutic protein to sites that require long-term local delivery of a therapeutic. This includes currently out-of-reach clinical indications such as vascular, soft tissue, and orthopedic repair as well as targeted chemotherapeutic biologics. We have demonstrated superiority over standard of care in all preclinical studies conducted to date including studies conducted at the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic. We are raising $15-$17M in Series A first-round institutional capital to complete a Phase I trial in spinal fusion and reach our next significant value inflection point.
VENTRIFLO®, a pre-clinical stage company dedicated to changing the world of open heart surgery, has the world’s first blood pump that can deliver a “life-like” pulse to achieve superior patient outcomes and reduce cost. VentriFlo has received 5 patents; completed a successful FDA pre-submission meeting (no human clinicals required), and raised a $10M Series A to prepare its initial 510(k) submission. Discussions are underway with potential strategic partners to support post-clearance clinical and sales activities. We are looking to partner with investors to get this product into the waiting hands of clinicians, and dominate a $1.5 billion a year market.
Aquanis’ mission is to develop and market an on-blade, segmented, active load control system that will allow wind turbines to react rapidly to changes in the wind. We are motivated by the need to reduce the cost of wind energy, so that the world can rely more on this renewable source. Our unique, patented, smart-blade technology will allow the industry to reduce costs by continuing the growth of turbine swept area and hub heights, enabling the introduction of ultra large turbines with power ratings of 20 MW and larger. To date we have raised $5.5 Million, 90% of which came from non-dilutive, competitive State and Federal grants. In 2019, Aquanis was awarded a highly competitive $3.5M technology development award from ARPA-E, a division of the U.S. Department of Energy. We are currently preparing for a Series A funding round to support product launch.
Cambridge Electronics Inc., a fabless semiconductor startup, is developing a disruptive gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology to transform the future of energy conversion. Based on MIT research, our innovative GaN-based transistors and chips enable our customers to make higher efficiency and more compact power converters for data centers, electric cars, and power supplies.
FGC Plasma Solutions is working on a better injector / igniter system that incorporates plasma to better control combustion in jet engines, gas turbines, and advanced propulsion systems. This technology enables enhanced engine operation. In particular, by reducing fuel consumption during idling, savings are possible of between 1 percent to 5 percent per flight. This technology will also enable benefits from lower emissions; increased fuel flexibility; and improved reliability. FGC Plasma endeavors to develop ground-breaking technologies to improve combustion and other reacting flow processes with applications in energy, aerospace, and national security. To date, FGC Plasma has raised $4.5 million, the vast majority in non-dilutive capital, has established collaborations with Notre Dame, MIT, ARL, AFRL, and Argonne National Lab, and is working with OEMs across several verticals to demonstrate its technology.
LiquidPiston is commercializing a revolutionary new type of advanced rotary internal combustion engine for use in propulsion, generators and auxiliary power. The technology is based on a new type of engine architecture, and an advanced, optimized thermodynamic cycle. The result is 1/10th the size and weight of today's Diesel engines, with 30-75% improved fuel consumption over today's gasoline, Diesel, or turbine engines. The Company is initially focused on Defense and Aerospace applications. Applications include hybrid electric cars, UAVs, mobile power / generators, and aircraft including for VTOL / Urban Air Mobility. Ultimately the technology is scalable to serve the entire $460B/yr engine market. The company has prototypes and demonstrated customer traction through 4 awards from DARPA and the Army, and 3 contracts with commercial entities. LiquidPiston is seeking funding to accelerate the commercialization and adoption of its technology.
We are a company out of MIT with technology in the area of artificial intelligence and computer vision. Our core technology is a software algorithm enabling consumers to create their precision 3D body-shape models via smartphones. Together with other supporting technology modules, we are partnering with some of the largest brands in the apparel and footwear industries. Our tech platform enables brands to:
1) suggest the best fitting apparel and footwear products based on consumers’ body/foot shapes, which in turn helps brands to increase conversions, decrease returns, and enhance customer-engagement, strengthen customer loyalties.
2) enable or expand brands’ mass-customization offerings via the eCommerce channel.
WaveSense is accelerating the broad, safe and reliable deployment of self-driving vehicles. The company uses ground penetrating radar originally developed for military use at MIT Lincoln Laboratory to create a map of the subsurface beneath the road from which self-driving cars can navigate. Vehicles using WaveSense are the safest and most reliable on the road and are unaffected by common but challenging road conditions like snow, heavy rain, fog, or poor lane markings. WaveSense has completed pilots with automakers and Tier 1s who are looking to deploy WaveSense's technology in assisted and autonomous driving products at scale. The company was named Best in Show and winner of the Autonomous Vehicle category at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show.
Dynocardia is developing ViTrack™ -- the first standalone, cuff-less, wearable device for continuous non-invasive blood pressure (cNIBP) monitoring. ViTrack has the potential to disrupt the way BP is measured and managed by providing a noninvasive alternative to arterial pressure monitoring and reducing gaps in patient monitoring. In the US, 103 million people have high blood pressure (BP) or hypertension. Current BP devices, using 100-year-old technology, are associated with 30% misdiagnoses, rely on occlusive arm cuffs, are labor intensive, and provide inadequate single-point BP measurements. In US hospitals, there are close to 44 million in-patient admissions and surgeries per year that require BP monitoring, but cuff-based devices lead to monitoring gaps and poor outcomes.
