Startup News
Vita Therapeutics Raises $32M
The stem cell engineering startup will use its oversubscribed Series A round for work on its drug therapies aimed at treating muscular dystrophies, as well as support cell manufacturing, patient recruitment for clinical trials.
2 SIL Alums Named National Fellows for Social Entrepreneurship Program
Bree Jones of Parity and Brittany Young of B-360 will receive $75,000 in unrestricted funds per year for three years as part of the new class of the Fund for New Leadership. They also will have access to a blend of peer coaching, leadership training and mentoring opportunities.
PGDx Collaborates with Duke’s Clinical Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
PGDx’s elio tissue complete will be the primary technology platform for the university laboratory’s clinical oncology genomic testing initiatives. The laboratory will also collaborate with PGDx on the development of next-generation data integration solutions aimed at optimizing clinical usability of genomic data and insights across the cancer care continuum.
Thrive Featured in Liquid Biopsy Story in Scientific American
“Though far from perfect, the blood test called CancerSEEK, developed at Johns Hopkins University and licensed by diagnostics company Thrive, found 26 malignancies that had not been discovered with conventional screenings such as mammography and colonoscopy.”
Protenus Announces $21M Series D Raise
“This new capital will be used to foster innovation throughout the healthcare industry with increased R&D efforts while also accelerating our growth as we capitalize on market opportunities,” said Brian Holtmeier, Protenus’ CFO.
Ellington West Named a 2021 Cartier Women’s Initiative North American Fellow
West, co-founder and CEO of Sonavi Labs, is one of 21 leaders from seven regions around the world selected for an international entrepreneurship program that aims to drive change by empowering women making an impact.
Counter-Intuitive Cooking Receives TEDCO Investment
The startup was founded by Johns Hopkins University alums and is developing a smart kitchen appliance that handles meal preparation. The Eldersburg-based company received $25,000 from TEDCO’s Rural Business Innovation Initiative.
Nick Culbertson Named a Finalist for EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Culberston, the CEO and co-founder of Protenus, was selected by a panel of judges and previous winners as a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 Mid-Atlantic Award.
Ashvattha Therapeutics Announces Positive Data from Study in COVID-19 Patients
The company reported OP-101, its novel hydroxyl dendrimer therapeutic, showed positive results in treating hyperinflammation in hospitalized adults with severe COVID-19.
WeGo Foundation Featured in The Washington Post
Columnist Theresa Vargas wrote about the Social Innovation Lab alum’s robot that tours of the International Spy Museum for children who are patients at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.
Other News
Christy Wyskiel, Sashank Reddy Present to Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board
The duo outlined some of the ways JHTV has supported startups and commercialization efforts.
Johns Hopkins 5th Among Universities Worldwide Granted U.S. Utility Patents in 2020
Published annually by the National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association, the report ranks the top 100 universities named as the first assignee on utility patents granted by during the 2020 calendar year.
Christy Wyskiel Appears on ‘Charm City Dreamers’ Podcast
“Christy is a fierce advocate for the future of Baltimore and the role that Johns Hopkins University can play in populating the city skyline with companies borne, built and grown locally.”
UpSurge Baltimore Tracks City’s Startup Development Since 2011
Among the “equitech” organization’s findings: Nearly 200 Baltimore-based and founded companies are active and financially backed; a majority of startups are in the earliest stages; and early-stage funding from government, universities and foundations is key for startups.
Md., Incubators to Offer ‘Soft Landing’ Spaces for Foreign Companies
The state Department of Commerce is working with a dozen incubators to provide space for companies. The state’s program will serve as an “umbrella” to help foreign companies navigate the market, and hopefully provide leads for the incubators as they seek to bring in new companies.