Portfolio Companies
BioAdvance portfolio companies reflect the breadth and depth of biomedical expertise in Southeastern Pennsylvania. They include medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics and tool/platform projects. Collectively, the 28 companies that comprise the seed-stage portfolio companies are developing more than 53 products to diagnose or treat diseases such as Alzheimer's, obesity, diabetes, cancer and infectious diseases.
Exits Through Acquisition
 |
||
.jpg) |
Acuity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Acuity focused on developing an RNA interference technology drug for adult macular degeneration (discovered at the University of Pennsylvania) into clinical trials. In 2007 Acuity merged and was renamed Opko Health, Inc. |
Acuity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
|
||
.jpg) |
Alteris Therapeutics, Inc. - Alteris focused on the discovery and development of therapeutics and vaccines against novel, proprietary cancer targets. The company's cancer technologies were purchased by Celldex Therapeutics in 2005. Celldex merged with Avant Immunotherapeutics in 2008. |
Alteris Therapeutics, Inc. |
|
||
 |
Gelifex, Inc. - Gelifex developed novel spine implants for degenerative disc disease. Gelifex was acquired by multi-national device company Synthes, Inc., (Paoli, PA) in 2004. |
Gelifex, Inc. (Acquired by Synthes, Inc.) |
|
||
 |
LumenVu, Inc. - LumenVu, out of the University of Pennsylvania, designed and developed light-embedded catheters to direct their accurate placement in the body. LumenVu was acquired by SonoSite, Inc. in 2007. |
Lumen Vu |
|
||
 |
Protez Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - . Protez entered a 20-site Phase 2 human clinical trial in 2008 with its lead compound, PZ-601, a novel antibiotic candidate focused on drug resistance in difficult to treat infections. Protez was acquired by Novartis in 2008. |
Protez Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
|
||
 |
SansRosa Pharmaceutical Development, Inc. - Focused on topical agents to treat rosacea and other skin conditions, SansRosa was acquired by CollaGenex, Inc. in 2005. |
SansRosa Pharmaceutical Development, Inc. (Acquired by Collagenex, Inc.) |
|
||
Active Portfolio Companies
|
||
 |
Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Inc. - Avid, a product-focused molecular imaging company, is currently planning to test its lead compound in a phase 3 clinical trial for the detection of Alzheimer's disease. The company also is developing novel agents targeted to the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT-2) to image pathology in dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease, and has recently started a research project in diabetes mellitus. Avid's product candidates have the potential to revolutionize early diagnosis and monitoring of disease. |
Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Inc. |
|
||
 |
Eagle Vision Pharmaceutical Corporation - The Eagle Vision SeeMoreTM molecular imaging agent is the first of its kind to harness the power of MRI to provide results in three critical areas: cardiac perfusion, cardiac function, and cardiac vessel status, which today require multiple tests that cost thousands of dollars. The unique metabolic imaging agent based on manganese uptake is being tested in phase 2 clinical studies. In addition, the company has preclinical data for its molecular imaging agent's use in solid tumor imaging in breast cancer, as well as hepatic disease. |
Eagle Vision Pharmaceutical Corp. |
|
||
 |
Formae, Inc. Formae is developing new approaches to cartilage replacement for osteoarthritis using hydrogels that closely mimic the mechanical properties of hyaline cartilage. Formae's approach is minimally invasive and provides for total rather than focal joint resurfacing. Following the completion of ex-vivo mechanical testing that will meet a critical regulatory milestone; Formae's next step will be to conduct in-vivo implantation and biocompatibility testing. The company has a broad portfolio of issued and pending patents and a well-defined product and regulatory strategy. |
Formae, Inc. |
|
||
 |
Galleon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - Galleon is a discovery-stage company focused on building a portfolio of novel medicines for neurorespiratory conditions including anesthetic/analgesic-induced respiratory depression, sleep apnea, ventilator weaning, COPD, obesity-hypoventilation syndrome, and other conditions. The underlying technology, licensed from a major university, is supported by recent advances in the understanding of the biochemical and physiological basis by which the body regulates breathing. |
Galleon Pharmaceuticals, LLC |
|
||
 |
Immunome is a discovery-stage biopharmaceutical company that has created a proprietary native Human Monoclonal Antibody (N-huMAb) platform. N-huMAbs are directly discovered from harnessing human B cells, thereby possessing the natural safety and protective power of the innate human immune system. The strength of the Immunome technology is its ability to capture the human immune response for infectious diseases and vaccines. Because the Immunome method is intrinsically unbiased, Immunome is able to obtain N-huMAbs not accessable by other antibody cloning methods. Immunome has captured high-affinity, potent N-huMAbs in several therapeutic classes: infectious disease, neurological illness and biodefense. |
Immunome Wynnewood, PA Contact: Dr. Tim Pelura |
|
||
 |
InfraScan, Inc. - InfraScan is developing and commercializing handheld devices for patients in two areas: stroke and traumatic brain injury. The company's lead product, the InfrascannerTM handheld imaging device, uses near infrared (NIR) light to screen for intracranial bleeding in patients with head trauma. The results of screening can be used to expedite high-risk patients for CT scanning or surgical intervention. The company has received a CE mark, and is launching the product in the United Kingdom and Far East. Target markets include worldwide civilian or military settings where rapid bedside monitoring or field triage are important. The FDA is currently reviewing a submission for a 510(k) approval which would support an additional launch for the US military. |
InfraScan, Inc. |
|
||
 |
Jenrin Discovery, Inc. - Jenrin is a discovery-stage company focused on developing drugs for the treatment of diabetes, liver disease and other disorders, using a chemistry platform to modify known drugs with CNS side effects to keep them out of the brain. Jenrin has completed initial proof of concept work in animals in their CB1 antagonist program. Additionally, Jenrin is working on peripherally restricted MAO inhibitors and several other programs. |
Jenrin Discovery, Inc. |
|
||
 |
Marillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - Marillion is developing clinical-stage drugs in oncology and oncology supportive care. The company is advancing two target products into Phase 2 clinical trials. The first product, 177Lu-AMBA, is a targeted radiotherapeutic, with the low-level radiation of lutetium that utilizes an innovative receptor-based technology and can serve as both a diagnostic and therapeutic agent. Unique targeting capability means that 177Lu-AMBA targets tumor cells and spares normal tissues. 177Lu-AMBA is being pursued initially to treat hormone-resistant prostate cancer, and has been studied in a phase 1 trial in Europe. The company's second product candidate is PilobucTM, a proprietary, buccal formulation of pilocarpine, for the treatment of dry mouth, shown in clinical trials to effectively and conveniently deliver the drug with reduced side effects compared to other routes of administration. The PilobucTM buccal formulation has the potential to be a significant product in the xerostomia market, particularly for patients who have difficulty swallowing oral treatments. |
Marillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
|
||
 |
Melior Discovery, Inc. - Melior applies its unique theraTRACE® indications discovery platform of multiplexed in vivo models to identify new therapeutic indications for pre-clinical and development-stage pharmaceuticals. This platform combines nearly 35 in vivo models, allowing scientists to test a compound for its potential efficacy across a broad array of therapeutic areas. Many blockbuster drugs such as Viagra®, Gemzar®, Evista® and Propecia® were serendipitously discovered to be efficacious in the indications for which they were ultimately approved and marketed. The in vivo models that Melior uses are the same models typically used by pharmaceutical companies to determine whether a candidate is suitable for clinical testing. Melior has partnered its program with a number of pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Astra Zeneca and Merck. In addition, Melior is advancing its own pipeline, and has a cleared IND for a proprietary diabetes drug. |
Melior Discovery, Inc. |
|
||
 |
Midway Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - Midway is a discovery-stage company focused on diseases of the GI tract. Midway's first drug, MDY-1001, demonstrates the potential for oral use of certain non-systemically absorbed polymers, to function as gut barrier protectants by targeting and altering epithelial cell lipid raft functions, inhibiting the pathogenic behavior of bacteria in the GI tract without exerting antibiotic-like effects. MDY-1001 performs three functions: enhances the activity of GI mucinous and cytosketal barriers to interaction or invasion of pathogenic gut bacteria at points of weakness, inactivates the bacterial response to virulence signals, and accelerates mucosal repair. Preclinical data thus far has been positive and the company is preparing to perform IND-enabling studies. The initial indication to be pursued is prevention of radiation enteritis, and other indications will follow. |
Midway Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
|
||
 |
Niiki Pharma, Inc. -- Niiki Pharma is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing first-in-class anti-cancer drug candidates with novel mechanisms of action that preferentially target cancer cells. NKP-1339, a first-in-class targeted small molecule, is Niiki Pharma’s most advanced drug. The drug’s targets are novel. The key intracellular targets are believed to be BiP/GRP78, pJNK and pp38. Two NKP-1339 Phase I-IIa trials are currently ongoing in US & UK. These clinical trials are being led by world-renowned oncologists. NKP-46 is an oral first-in-class targeted molecule. Its structure and its mechanism of action are very different from NKP-1339, as well as from other anti-cancer drugs. NKP-46 uses transferrin to target tumor cells and once inside the cell, it disables the endoplasmic reticulum – the processing center in the tumor cells – causing the tumor cells to die. In addition to its novel anti-cancer activity, it has been shown in preclinical models that at very low doses, NKP-46 can be effective as a novel anti-osteoporosis agent. This auxiliary feature gives NKP-46 the potential to become a first-in-class for treatment of osteoporosis. NKP-46 Phase I oncology trials are projected to start in 2011. |
Niiki Pharma Inc. |
|
||
 |
Novira Therapeutics, Inc. - Novira is focused on the discovery and development of first-in-class antiviral therapeutics. Based on emerging biology and proprietary insights about virus-host interactions, the company is working to develop novel small molecule drugs against medically-important viral targets in intracellular transport and assembly mechanisms. Targets are currently being developed and a chemistry partner has been identified. |
Novira Therapeutics, Inc. |
|
||
 |
NuPathe, Inc. -- NuPathe is a specialty pharmaceutical company developing innovative therapeutic products for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases. The company commenced Phase 3 clinical trials in late 2008 for its lead product candidate -- ZelrixTM transdermal patch. If approved, the product candidate will be the first and only transdermal patch for the treatment of acute migraine. By avoiding GI absorption, the ZelrixTM patch will allow patients experiencing nausea/vomiting to receive therapeutic benefits of sumatriptan while maintaining rapid onset. The company is also developing NP201, a long-acting, injectable implant for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. |
NuPathe Inc. |
|
||
 |
Phoenix S&T, Inc. (PST) -- PST is a life science tool company developing and commercializing proprietary, high-performance, nanospray systems and consumables for mass spectrometry applications. The products are based on breakthrough patented three-dimensional microfluidic devices manufactured by microinjection molding of plastics. This production process dramatically increases sensitivity which reduces the sample volume used in the mass spectrometry analyses of proteins, sera and drug-candidate molecules. The company has several systems available for sale, along with corresponding disposables. |
Phoenix S&T |
|
||
 |
QR Pharma Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company developing novel drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The company has two compounds in clinical development. Both compounds Posiphen® and Bisnorcymserine (BNC) inhibit amyloid formation and may prevent the progression of the disease. However, their distinct characteristics make Posiphen better suited for mild cognative impairment and early AD, and BNC a better candidate for late and advanced AD. Posiphen is undergoing clinical trials currently to demonstrate mechanism of action and metabolism. |
Contact: Dr. Maria Maccecchini |
|
||
 |
RetinaPharma Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1998 and funded by BioAdvance in May 2004. RetinaPharma is developing pharmaceuticals and devices to prevent, treat, rescue and recover neurodegenerative and neurovascular diseases. The Company was formed through the aquisition of technology from the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Toronto Innovations Foundation. Its TonoPach device was cleared for marketing by the FDA in 2005. |
RetinaPharma Technologies, Inc. |
|
||
.jpg) |
SonoMedix, Inc. - SonoMedix is developing a novel point-of-care device to monitor blood coagulation and hemostatic status, using proprietary NanoAcoustic Blood Analyzer (NABA) technology. SonoMedix is developing a NABA-based prototype for home-use to measure the prothombin time (a measure of blood coagulation), in patients taking the anticoagulant drug, warfarin (Coumadin®). The device works with smaller blood sample size and higher sensitivity which will allow the patients use smaller needles and obtain blood from sites other than fingers, reducing the pain of obtaining the sample. |
SonoMedix, Inc. (a Vasculab company) |
|
||
 |
TheraQuest Biosciences, Inc. - TheraQuest is building a diversified portfolio of pharmaceutical products to address pain management. The company's strategy is to use its expertise to identify, develop and commercialize product candidates with strong market potential that have lower development costs and the potential for a 505(b)(2) regulatory path. The company is working on several INDs. |
TheraQuest Biosciences , LLC |
|
||
 |
Treventis, Inc.: TREVENTIS is focused on the discovery of disease-modifying small molecule drugs for Alzheimer’s and other amyloid diseases. The company’s research efforts have led to the discovery of a novel shared conformational drug-target that is essential for pathogenic protein misfolding and aggregation, and is found on many proteins that cause human disease including Aß and tau. The subsequent development of a high-resolution model of this target has enabled scientists at TREVENTIS to rationally design single new chemical entities (tool compounds) that inhibit the misfolding of multiple Alzheimer's disease targets. The company's optimized leads have appropriate drug characteristics including oral availability, high blood-brain-barrier penetration, biostability and exceptional potency in inhibiting the formation of Aß and tau neurotoxic oligomers. Tool compounds against this novel drug target have demonstrated statistically significant cognitive improvement in a double transgenic murine model of Alzheimer's disease. The company continues its focus on lead optimization with the purpose of selecting a candidate for formal preclinical development. |
Treventis Corporation Bryn Mawr, PA L. William McIntosh, wmcintosh@treventis.com |
|
||
 |
Yaupon Therapeutics, Inc. - Yaupon is a specialty pharmaceutical company with four products in development which are focused on T-cell lymphoma, methamphetamine addiction, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The company's lead candidate, ClearazideTM brand topically delivered cytotoxic agent, is in pivotal studies for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated the safety and utility of ClearazideTM in treating CTCL patients. The product candidate has been granted orphan drug designation. Yaupon's business philosophy is to build a highly capital efficient organization, using significant non-dilutive capital to advance its drug development programs. |
Yaupon Therapeutics, Inc |
|
||
© Copyright 2008. BioAdvance, the Biotechnology Greenhouse of Southeastern Pennsylvania. All Rights Reserved.