New cohort of technologies includes cell therapy, post-op inflammation control, and a search engine for life sciences data
The Biolocity program has selected six promising technologies with the ability to impact patient health for its 2022-23 cohort of Biolocity Launch, a year-long collaboration that helps commercialize innovations at Emory University and Georgia Tech.
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 at Georgia Tech and Emory University, Biolocity funding is open to all faculty on both campuses, regardless of discipline.
"There is a rich pipeline of promising patient-impacting technologies being developed at Emory and Georgia Tech," said Courtney Law, 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, M.D., 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 University
- 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 other resources —incubators, accelerators, and venture capitalists — that can potentially translate into follow-on investment or other business opportunities upon graduation from the Biolocity program.
