TEDCO chooses JHU BME biotech start-ups for funding
Three Johns Hopkins BME-associated medical technology companies have been selected by the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) Life Science Investment Fund for financial investment. TEDCO’s Life Science Investment Fund is specifically designed for companies that are beyond the technology validation stage and further along in product development. They invest up to $200,000 to support milestone-based medical products advance more quickly and efficiently toward commercialization.
AsclepiX Therapeutics
AsclepiX Therapeutics, co-founded by Associate Professor Jordan Green and Professor Aleksander S. Popel, is utilizing the latest developments in biomaterials and drug delivery to design long-lasting biodegradable nano- and microparticles that deliver biomimetic therapeutic peptides throughout the body. The company is initially targeting macular edema and age-related macular degeneration.
Vasoptic Medical
Vasoptic Medical leverages laser-based vascular imaging technology to solve diabetic retinopathy. The company is developing a low-cost portable retinal imager and software designed to enable early detection of diabetic retinopathy in primary care settings, including community clinics. Vasoptic Medical was founded in 2012 by M. Jason Brooke (MSE ’04) Abhishek Rege (MSE ’05, PhD ’12).
Their retinal scanner is based on technology Rege developed while studying optical engineering in Professor Nitish Thakor’s Neuroengineering & Biomedical Instrumentation Lab. Professor Thakor is co-inventor of the technology and today serves as a technical advisor to the company.
Sonavex
David Narrow, (MSE ’13) and Devin O’Brien-Coon (MSE ’13) were part of the CBID EchoSure project development team along with technical advisor Jerry Prince. Prince is a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and has a joint appointment in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins. The three men went on to co-found Sonavex. Sonavex is developing the EchoSure/EchoMark system to detect clots during surgeries earlier and more reliably than existing processes.
The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) provides entrepreneurial support and guidance for start-ups and early-stage companies engaged in bringing innovative ideas to market.
View TEDCO press release for more information.