Most Promising Life Science Technology Companies Announced at
Rice Alliance Life Science Venture Forum
HOUSTON – June 12, 2009 - The Rice Alliance announced the most promising Life Science companies at the 8th Annual Life Science Venture Forum in Houston this week. Life Science companies showcased their new ventures for an audience of more than 400 attendees, including investors, venture capitalists, industry representatives, business leaders, advisors/mentors, service providers, and entrepreneurs.
Cynthia A. Doerr, M.D., partner, Essex Woodlands Health Ventures said of the presenters, “This is one of the most mature groups of healthcare-related company presentations that I have reviewed in Houston, and I intend to follow their progress closely.”
The one day event culminated in an announcement of the Most Promising Life Science Companies chosen from more than 40 competitors and judged by the Rice Alliance Information Technology Advisory Board, based on the companies’ elevator pitch presentations. The exercise simulates meeting an investor on an elevator and having only 90 seconds to convince them to invest in your company.
In addition, five other new life science technology companies were pre-selected to present their 10 minute business plan presentation at the forum, and as one of the chosen five, were also named a Most Promising Life Science Technology Company.
Rice Alliance Managing Director Brad Burke, announced the winners of the Most Promising Life Science Company awards at the event. “Every year the quality of companies improves. Many of the companies at this year’s event have developed prototypes, obtained proven results and are on their second round of funding. This makes them more appealing to investors, who have also expressed appreciation for the quality of the companies.”
Top Five Most Promising Companies, based on their business plan presentations:
Azaya Therapeutics - developing a nanotechnology drug delivery platform for use in treating cancer.
Barinetics - developing an implantable neurostimulation system as a therapy for clinical obesity.
MicroTransponder - developing a wireless neurostimulation system for the treatment of chronic pain and several other neurological indications.
Nano3D Biosciences - developing a 3-dimensional, in vitro cell culturing platform with applications in research, drug discovery and regenerative medicine.
Stabiliz Orthopaedics - developing active screws and plates for use in orthopaedic applications.
Most Promising Companies, based on their elevator pitch presentations:
iShoe - developing technology to help users/doctors monitor balance, diagnose poor balance, reduce fall risk, and speed rehabilitation after a catastrophic injury or stroke.
PDS Biotechnology Corporation - commercializing immunotherapies in large markets with unmet needs.
CB2 Pharma - commercializing M. D. Anderson Cancer Center’s patent pending library of CB2 agonists and inverse agonists.
ThromboVision - commercializing versatile point-of-care clinical diagnostic discoveries that advance medical diagnosis.
Power Lung – developing products to help people breathe better using a platform that trains people to breathe properly and strengthening the muscles used in breathing.
Stellarray - commercializing a new X-ray source made using flat panel display technology.
Respiratory Research - commercializing the first non-invasive breath test for Acid Reflux Cough.
Lono Medical Systems - developing a passive fetal heart monitor to detect the heart rate of the fetus as well as uterine contractions.
Sironics - developing of a monitoring platform for Atrial Fibrillation, using a combination of a micro-implant and patient monitor device, coupled with a service to deliver the results to physicians.
VMH Health - developing a novel urine based in-vitro diagnostic for essential hypertension.
TheraVasc - developing novel vascular therapies with decreased risks through the repositioning of drugs with known safety profiles.
Smart Imaging Technologies Company - developing software that automates analysis and sharing of large volumes of imaging data for biomedical and industrial applications.
ProteoMicro - commercializing a system to quickly separate, accurately quantify, and isolate uniquely expressed proteins that may underlie disease.
ViroXis Corporation - developing botanically-derived compounds satisfying therapeutic needs in areas of infectious disease and cancer.
The Forum was supported by Baker Botts, LLP, Essex Woodlands Health Ventures, Winstead Attorneys and Oracle with media sponsors Houston Business Journal and the BusinessMakers Radio Show.
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