The finalists for the biopharma track of INVEST Pitch Perfect have been selected. At the INVEST Pitch Perfect boutique healthcare investor conference, six biopharma companies will present their approaches to infectious disease, the track theme this year. INVEST is scheduled for May 20-21 at the Willis Tower in Chicago. Investors serving as the biopharma track judges include: Ryan Kole, partner with V Capital; Matt Martin, Pathway Bioventures partner; and Michael Schultz, senior director of venture operations at Portal Innovation.
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Here is a preview of the biopharma track finalists presenting at INVEST Pitch Perfect.
Canurta Therapeutics Antimicrobial resistance is an escalating global threat and a critical public health concern. Canurta has developed a library of hemp-derived molecules with anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. Its research into virtual drug target interactions highlights the potential of cannflavins, a chemical compound derived from cannabis, to inhibit biofilm-related enzymes. It suggests that cannflavins could be repurposed as antibacterial and antifungal agents against resistant microbial infections. The company has optimized cannflavin derivatives to enhance pharmacological profiles, focusing its R&D on identifying lead candidates by molecular docking and simulation, efficacy testing against drug-resistant microbes and evaluating synergies with other antimicrobials to eliminate drug-resistant bacteria and fungi, such as with non-azole antifungals in models of azole-resistant candidiasis.
Promedixinc focuses on detecting sepsis at the early stages through noninvasive optical circulatory dysfunction monitoring. Sepsis is a leading cause of death in children and adults worldwide. Fast detection is key to survival. Early signs of sepsis include impaired peripheral circulation. A simple way to identify sepsis risk is capillary refill time (CRT). ProMedix “PeriFRL” measures CRT for rapid, accurate and noninvasive diagnostics, as well as ongoing monitoring once a therapeutic intervention is underway at the patient’s bedside. After a nearly 600 patient observational study at Oregon Health & Sciences University Medical Center, PeriFRL was found to be as accurate as blood lactate in predicting sepsis.
Sivec Biotechnologies, Inc plans to become a global leader in delivering breakthrough, engineered biotherapeutics. Sivec has developed a first-in-class pipeline focused on cancer, genetic, and respiratory diseases using their next-generation intracellular biologic drug delivery platform. BactPac is a solution for all-in-one therapeutic payload production and targeted delivery. It is engineered to produce and safely deliver large and structured therapeutic payloads (mRNA, siRNA, proteins/nanobodies, and CRISPR/Cas) to targeted tissues and tumors. It evades immune recognition and neutralizes antibodies, enabling repeat dosing to tissues and tumors inaccessible to other drug delivery systems.
Taxis Pharmaceuticals Inc is a clinical-stage company developing drug candidates that enable the re-use of the most widely prescribed generic antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Its most advanced drug candidate, TXA709, is currently enrolling participants in a Phase I human clinical trial as an oral anti-MRSA therapeutic.
ClearSight Therapeutics, Inc is focused on treating acute infectious conjunctivitis. ClearSight is developing the first over-the-counter eye drops to treat all forms of acute infectious conjunctivitis, commonly known as “pink eye.” Each year, pink eye impacts up to 6 million children and adults in the United States, leading to nearly $2 billion in lost wages as children are kept home from school and parents miss work. Current treatments consist of prescription antibiotics, which are only effective for 20% of bacterial cases; up to 80% of infections are viral.
Yaso Therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing anti-infective drug products as well as a contraceptive. Its mission is to develop cutting-edge treatment and prevention products based on a broadly acting polyanion with a core effort focused on women’s health.
Photo: Osaka Wayne Studios, Getty Images
