Auritec Pharmaceuticals is a small pharmaceutical R&D company founded by Thomas J Smith MD. We develop, and are seeking to license, novel treatments based on a portfolio of drug delivery platform technologies. This is Dr. Smith's second drug delivery venture. His first company went public (as pSivida: NASDA PSDV) and was responsible for the development of 2 FDA approved new drugs.

Charlesson is developing therapeutics for treating numerous human diseases. Our product pipeline includes pharmaceutical treatments for Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Ocular Inflammation, and other blinding diseases.

Cognosci is developing novel therapeutics that are anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective in models of Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and leukemia. Based on our novel mechanism of action, these "COG" compounds are useful in reducing inflammation to permit healing restoration and repair of tissues damaged by trauma or disease. Lead compounds have entered IND studies as a prelude to human clinical trials in the next 12 to 18 months.

CollEngin has developed a break-through production technology that precisely mimics the natural collagen scaffolds found in human tissues such as tendon, ligament, skin, cornea. Readily available medical grade collagen is transformed into nano-structured scaffolds which are the basis of products used to repair tendons/ligaments. Currently, these repairs typically have limited quality or are not possible. The scaffolds have similar strength to natural tissues and easily permit a variety of cells to proliferate, align and migrate. Working with top labs and surgeons will allow CollEngin to design bioactive products to significantly improve tissue reconstruction procedures and satisfy total markets approaching $1B.

Cyto Pulse Sciences was founded in January 1996 and after an initial small investment from friends and family has since been operating primarily in a self-funded mode, developing technology to produce and deliver new medicine therapeutics for: Cancer treatments (immunotherapy); Protection against infectious diseases (prophylaxis therapy); Correcting a genetic defect (gene therapy).

ECI Biotech is a leading edge protein sensor company with strong intellectual property of particular value for diagnostic sensors and therapeutics. Founded in 1998, its technologies relate to the detection of microbial pathogens and stabilizing active proteins to protect against infection.

ECI Biotech's ExpressDetect® diagnostics are simple, inexpensive, rapid, and safe.
ECI Biotech's product pipeline includes a diagnostic sensor for urinary tract infections, as well as advanced wound care systems that provide early warning of emergent infections and promote healing. ECI presently has corporate partnerships with medical device and consumer industry leaders.

Seno Medical Instruments is a company focused on development of optoacoustic systems for applications in medical imaging and monitoring. Seno’s patented technology uses pulsed near-infrared lasers for tissue illumination and wide-band transducer arrays to detect resulting ultrasonic waves. If a tumor or a blood vessel is present, these ultrasonic waves are detected in real-time and used to generate images. Seno’s imaging modality provides the physician with maps of blood distribution in tissues and the level of oxygen saturation superimposed with maps of tissue density. Seno’s first clinical product targets breast cancer as an adjunct to mammogram, addressing multi-billion dollar market opportunity.

Fluential provides fast, fluent automated speech translation for healthcare providers. Using funding from DARPA, NIST, NIH, and other government agencies; the company has created one of the most advanced platforms for speech translation technology in the world. Its products enable people who speak different languages to communicate face-to-face in real time.

iVisit is a Software as a Service company focused on delivering a low-cost unified communication and collaboration solutions for businesses and individuals. Our peer-to-peer platform integrates presence, multi-party audio/video conferencing, push-to-talk, desktop sharing and connected navigation over wireless and fixed IP networks and devices. iVisit is also developing advanced technologies under NIH grants that assist visually impaired and hearing impaired users. Additionally, we are pursuing the healthcare vertical with a focus on enabling mobile health services including face-to-face visits with practitioners and vital signs monitoring, with the goal of providing low-cost disease management and reducing hospital stays and ER visits.

Mind Matters Research is dedicated to improving the quality of life of cancer patients through the development, testing, delivery and marketing of the disease-specific ENVISION Imagery Programs. The current research-based product, "Envision the Rhythms of Life" is offered to recovering breast cancer patients and utilizes animations, manuals, PowerPoint training, CDs/DVDs, and assessment instruments, delivered in groups, to improve quality of life and reduce the effects of cancer treatments. Trainers are certified and outcomes are quality controlled continually. Materials and training are assessed and updated based on patient outcomes and evolving research. Interventions are delivered personally or through interactive multimedia conferencing.

NanoVector is commercializing the first biologic-based nanoparticle drug delivery system for the $48B/yr cancer therapeutics market. Our breakaway technology is capable of selectively targeting tumors along with the precise intracellular and nuclear delivery of cell killing hyper-agents for improved efficacy and fewer unpleasant side effects. The technology is based upon a ubiquitous plant virus that has evolved for millions of years to have ideal drug delivery characteristics, along with the ability to be exposed to mammals cells in a completely benign fashion. NanoVector's lead drug for melanoma will be ready to enter IND enabling studies in Q2 2009.

PDS Biotechnology Corporation (PDS) was founded by an experienced drug development and business team to commercialize immunotherapies in large markets with unmet needs. PDS owns Versamune™ a platform nanoparticle technology that facilitates the uptake of proteins by the immune system and generates a potent immune response against the specific infected cells. The technology is being utilized successfully to develop therapies in two categories: 1) oncology, 2) infectious diseases. The company's first product is being developed to treat currently untreatable human papillomavirus-related diseases, such as head and neck cancer and cervical cancer. PDS has received NIH funding, state and private investment.

Quantum Tubers specializes in the controlled-environment growth of plants in fully contained facilities under computerized control. In 1999 the company grew the world's first crop of genetically engineered potatoes producing plant-derived hepatitis B antigen that was subsequently used in a successful double-blind human clinical trial, proving that plant-derived vaccines are an effective means of delivery.

QTC also developed the first cGMP protocols for use with pharmaceuticals produced with plants. The company is currently producing potatoes bearing HBsAg surface antigen for hepatitis B vaccine production in its pilot facility in Wisconsin and will be able to show the significant cost savings expected for this biomanufacturing method. A Phase II SBIR through the NIH is allowing the company to produce a shelf-stable, oral dosage version of this vaccine and to be able to take the plant-derived hepatitis B vaccine though the first stage of FDA authorization. The company has positioned this plant-derived vaccine to potentially be the first-to-market for any plant-produced biopharmaceutical. A new company has been formed around this first vaccine product and is currently in early stage capitalization.

For a variety of reasons, approximately one-third of patients in the ICU have breathing tubes inserted in their trachea (main airway) to help them breathe. Complications include blocked or dislodged tubes, resulting in significant patient harms including lack of oxygen, infection, and trauma from emergency staff clearing or reinserting the tube. SonarMed has developed a sensor that provides precise, continuous real-time monitoring of the tube and alerts care providers if the tube becomes obstructed or its position changes, potentially saving substantial incremental length of stay and liability costs for the hospital.

Vivo Biosciences Inc. is dedicated to developing novel 3-D or in vivo-like bioassay platforms (HuBiogel™) for predicting drug efficacy/toxicity in humans and thus advancing drug discovery and therapeutics. Our patented HuBiogel™ technology allows human cells to growth, organize and functions as mini-tissues for studying both normal and disease processes. It addresses the key bottlenecks of current drug discovery pipeline by providing rapid preclinical drug efficacy and toxicity endpoints. High-value utility of HuBiogel technology thus provides essential "go or no-go" decisions prior to expensive clinical trials. This unmet market need is highlighted by FDA Critical Path Initiative.