Showcase

Join us for a showcase of over 20 early companies and pre-companies interested in engaging with funders, scientific partners, and/or business professionals

Startup	Description
Adapt	Adapt is on its way to revolutionizing the Bionics industry. We are pioneering a novel approach to dominating this $100B market, and there´s no significant competition. We are leveraging 3D scanning, 3D printing, robotics, and our ¨Perfect Fit¨ software to enable the mass production of personalized prosthetic legs. We have completed early testing and are launching on the U.S. market in January. Join us on this awe-inspiring journey as we not only drive substantial business growth but also enrich lives and bring a sense of compassion, dignity, and empowerment to those in need.
Adept Materials	Adept Materials, founded by Brown professor Derek Stein, has developed an eco-friendly two-layer system of directional moisture control for use in construction, apparel, packaging, and health care. The patented technology provides a moisture barrier that not only keeps moisture away, but actively removes new and existing moisture. The two layers work in concert: The thinner layer acts like a gate that opens when the humidity rises. The thicker layer acts like a sponge, absorbing incoming water vapor, redistributing moisture within its pores, and letting the water evaporate into a dry environment. The technology’s functions include directional vapor control, vapor pumping, humidity regulation, and temperature regulation.
Alcini	Sepsis is organ dysfunction due to infection and causes 1 in 5 deaths worldwide. Early antibiotic treatment does not treat resistant organisms and results from a standard blood culture to identify the pathogen can take days. Alcini is working to identify RNA from pathogens in the blood of patients with sepsis using deep RNA sequencing, and create new molecular diagnostic tests that will more rapidly identify bacterial RNA that corresponds to a pathogen and antimicrobial resistance.
AtomICs	AtomICs has developed a method of storing digital information in small molecule mixtures that is more compact, energy-efficient, and durable than traditional data storage devices, and without synthesis, cost, and supply chain constraints when compared to DNA-based technology. We have shown that, just as microelectronic devices can represent digital information in 1s and 0s physically embodied by high and low voltages, molecular systems can store information in the presence or absence of unique molecules within complex mixtures. The classical transistor- and magnetic-based devices reach their limits on the nanometer scale, but small molecules can be on the order of angstroms. Because of this size advantage, we could one day condense the entire digital universe, that currently occupies thousands of acres of land worldwide, into one, small room. These capabilities open opportunities spanning archival data storage, molecular computing, counterfeit detection, and molecular encryption.
BioAccess	BioAccess has developed a biometric authentication scheme that verifies users’ identity with their unique biological traits, such as facial images, fingerprints, voices, retinas, and other features. Instead of storing biometric data like facial point clouds (and risking theft of this data) to manage crypto key exchanges, BioAccess stores the challenges required to generate a response and can recreate the data on the fly. This allows for a secure, fast, cost effective authentication while mitigating privacy concerns associated with existing biometric solutions.
Bolden Therapeutics	Bolden Therapeutics is developing ways to increase neurogenesis (the formation of new brain cells from endogenous neural stem cells), to replenish neurons lost in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and conditions such as stroke. The company, co-founded by Brown faculty members Ashley Webb and Justin R. Fallon, and Johnny Page, a former student in Fallon’s lab and current Brown medical student, is developing multiple therapeutic modalities in parallel, leading with antisense oligonucleotides (small fragments of DNA) that skip specific exons in targeted mRNA.
CareCrowd	CareCrowd is a healthcare IT company focused on developing a highly accurate repository of healthcare provider data. We utilize a novel combination of AI-powered algorithms and crowdsourcing techniques to feed the repository and drive a public-facing online directory. The data repository offers value on two major platforms. First, the repository drives an online directory that serves healthcare consumers, therapists, and care coordinators. Second, on-demand access to the data repository can be used to augment provider data that is critical to operations for healthcare organizations (i.e., health insurance companies, hospital systems).
Circadian Positioning Systems	Circadian Positioning Systems (CPS) has developed a patented, data-backed lighting system that helps align the body’s sleep-wake cycle with work schedules. The company’s system uses an app and wearable device that collects the user’s sleep-wake data. The data is then put through proprietary algorithms that create schedules for precisely timed exposure to lights with specific spectral qualities and characteristics. These “light recipes” can be used with any smart lighting system. The system is particularly useful for workers in round-the-clock Industries in which alertness and attention are critical. CPS technology has been used/tested by the U.S. Navy, Marines, NASA, commercial ships, super yachts, and professional athletes. They are currently focused on delivering their solution to the maritime industry.
CardiacTEEM	CardiacTEEM has developed 3D human iPSC-cardiomyocyte microtissues for predicting arrhythmia generation and cardiotoxicity in response to pharmaceutical drugs, industrial chemicals, and environmental toxicants. The team has the ability to study arrhythmic events in both ventricular and atrial tissues by evaluating voltage and calcium handling via optical mapping. The team is currently expanding the model to be able to test for cardiac side effects of oncology drugs, and also to discover and select drugs that can be used to mitigate or treat the cardiac side effects.
KardioStatus	KardioStatus is a platform based, artificial neural network (ANN) developer of software-as-a-medical-device (SaMD) focused on the development of clinically actionable neural network based algorithms designed to transform bioelectric data into tailored therapeutics. Critical biologic processes for sustaining human life include ventilation, oxygenation, circulation and perfusion. These essential cardiopulmonary functions have unique bioelectric signatures. By defining and processing real-time dynamic bioelectric signatures of cardiopulmonary pathology, KardioStatus endeavors to facilitate medical decision making by rapidly analyzing raw cardiopulmonary bioelectric signal input using ANN processing. The bioelectric data is then linked to future proof, scalable and adaptive clinical therapeutics. KardioStatus’ clinical data warehouses includes a number of cardiopulmonary pathologies such as cardiac arrhythmias and respiratory apnea. KardioStatus is pursuing FDA 510K approval for a highly accurate classifier and medical forecasting algorithm for cardiopulmonary sleep abnormalities using bioelectric data from a single channel cardiac electrocardiogram (ECG). Application of ECG derived cardiopulmonary pathology can also be applied to a multi-sensor wearable for use in a wider application of clinical diagnostics and therapeutics. This technology promises to optimize diagnostics for use in closed loop clinical therapeutics, remote patient monitoring, biometric authentication and human performance enhancement with applications in precision medicine, athletics, public health and the military.
EquiPulse	Conventional pulse oximetry, which estimates the ratio of light absorbed at two wavelengths, has been shown to result in inaccurate estimates of oxygen saturation levels for Black and Brown patients because of interference of the skin pigment melanin. EquiPulse, launched out of the laboratory of Brown professor Kimani Toussaint, is addressing this fundamental challenge with a novel photoplethysmography (PPG) technique that uses radially polarized light, which negates the potential impact of skin pigmentation. The company is currently developing a prototype of the device for testing in a clinical trial.
Lenoss	Lenoss Medical has developed the first fully biologic cementless technology for the treatment of vertebrae damaged by osteoporotic spinal column fractures. The company’s patented technology creates a 3D cortical structural matrix while enabling blood flow. OsteoPearl implants, which consist of 100% cortical bone, immediately stabilize the damaged vertebrae while delivering clinically proven biologic tissue for long-term healing of the spine.
LuxBrain	The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the healthy brain, but prevents delivery of almost all drug treatments. An urgent need exists for transient, safe and whole-brain increases in BBB permeability. LuxBrain directly addresses this need with Transient Optical drive for Selective ENDothelial control (TO-SEND). The team’s new approach integrates proprietary discoveries that photostimulation can drive BBB permeability, and BioLuminescence can drive OptoGenetics. The integrated TO-SEND approach has many unique advantages, including temporally-precise control through modest and physiological activation, whole- brain coverage, and optical readout that confirms timing and relative magnitude of its effects.
NanoDe	NanoDe Therapeutics has developed a patented nucleic acid delivery technology that packages DNA, mRNA, siRNA, microRNA, and oligonucleotides for delivery into dense, hard-to-reach tissues. Its non-viral, non-lipid Nanopieces^TMplatform penetrates deep into tissue, including solid tumor, joint cartilage, and brain, and spontaneously disassembles once inside cells, delivering its targeted payload in a nontoxic manner for the treatment of otherwise untreatable diseases.
NanoSoft	NanoSoft focuses on ways to improve all aspects of cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) sample preparation and handling. Its novel blotless technology makes workflows easier and more efficient, while preventing the detrimental effects of the air/water interface on protein samples during vitrification for single-particle analysis. The technology creates the air/water interface and vitrifies the sample simultaneously.
PedialyDx	PedialyDx uses machine learning and advanced acoustic analysis techniques to develop and commercialize diagnostic tools based on acoustic signatures from infants’ cries. The company’s first product is a handheld device that uses a cloud-based algorithm to determine whether the cries of an infant with prenatal opioid exposure meet the criteria for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). The company is also exploring use of the device in pain, autism and other areas.
Research Instruments Corporation	Research Instruments Corporation develops the world’s most brilliant X-ray sources that drive next-generation equipment in live-science, semiconductor metrology, and imaging of aerospace devices such as jet engines.
Sift	While 74% of adults want to buy secondhand, only about 30% do. This discrepancy stems from the tedious process of finding secondhand alternatives. Sift addresses the gap between those who want to buy secondhand and those that actually do by aggregating the web’s resale items, presenting them through an accessible interface (enabled by an enhanced searching solution), and facilitating a user’s discovery of secondhand products.
SOMA	Chronic pain affects more than 52 Million Americans, making it one of the most common, expensive, and disabling disorders. Currently, there are no reliable biomarkers that can predict if someone will transition from acute to chronic pain, or which treatment will be most promising. SOMA is an app that tracks and monitors pain symptoms, treatments, daily activities, and expectations so as to better predict when a condition is worsening or is starting to respond to treatment. The app combines symptom tracking with neuroscientific assessments and tailored interventions, to directly support individuals on their path to overcoming pain.
SMöLTAP	The primary cause of an unsuccessful lumbar puncture in infants often lies in the challenge of properly positioning them. Unattributed fever in infants requires a CSF test for Meningitis via a lumbar puncture. Today’s standard of care has a failure rate over 50%. SMöLTAP is an innovative positioning device that stabilizes young infants undergoing a lumbar puncture. The molded cradle holds the child in a natural, upright, forward-leaning position and ensures that the spine is ideally oriented for the procedure. The infant’s face peers through an opening allowing breathing and application of a calming sucrose solution. The company’s goal is to achieve consistent first-stick success rates and to improve the infant spinal tap procedure experience for all involved.
Theromics	Theromics is developing a next-generation thermal accelerant technology for soft tissue ablation procedures and combination therapy. The company’s proprietary gel, which is based on a protein found naturally in the body, is placed next to or into the lesion undergoing treatment via a percutaneous needle stick. The company will subsequently expand to other applications, including pain and abnormal uterine bleeding. Eventually, the thermal technology will be used as an oncolytic intratumoral drug/immunotherapy delivery platform.
Tinos Therapeutics Inc.	Tinos Therapeutics, Inc., has the mission to create novel therapeutics that stop the cause of disease to ensure long-term remission. The team has created the Epi-CODE™ RNA Platform using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computational structure modeling to create new classes of therapeutics. The Epi-CODE™ RNA Platform deciphers the epitranscriptome code per transcript at the single nucleotide level and can also determine how RNA molecules affect the epigenetic landscape of cells. Tinos’ lead compound, TN-01, targets FTO to stop tumor growth and increase overall survival in mouse models of cancer. TN-02 is an siRNA therapeutic targeting HDAC-7 to induce epigenetic repression of the cancer transcriptome and has broad applicability for cancer treatment. RNA therapeutics developed by Tinos Therapeutics provide exciting commercialization and partnership opportunities with the goal of generating novel therapies for patients that may help cure disease.
Walah Scientific	Walah Scientific has invented a novel approach to respiratory virus testing. The company’s handheld device, called a Bubbler^TM, captures aerosolized RNA-containing particles from the breath of a subject, who blows into a straw. The breath is bubbled through an oil/aqueous solution/emulsion that contains reagents for carrying out an enzymatic reverse transcriptase (RT) reaction. The device can also be used in settings such as hospital ERs and airports, by attaching a vacuum pump to an air vent. The Bubbler is non-invasive and the test can be multiplexed to identify different variants and viruses.
XM Therapeutics	XM Therapeutics has developed a technology for repairing or replacing abnormal or dysfunctional extracellular matrix (ECM)—the scaffolding material that organizes cells into tissues and organs. The technology uses practical, injectable human ECM particles that directly modulate dysfunctional ECM. The company’s initial focus is on heart failure and pulmonary fibrosis. As abnormal ECM remodeling is common in many chronic diseases, and the technology has the potential to address a wide range of conditions affecting the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, skin, joints, skeleton, and more.