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Venture Forum Finalists Announced
This week, Life Science Tennessee announced the four finalists who will compete in the annual Life Science Venture Forum at LSTCON. The Venture Forum, sponsored by Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, gives a platform to emerging life science startups to access funding and potential investment opportunities, as well as marketing support. Each company will have 10 minutes to pitch before a panel of judges who will evaluate each team on IP and commercialization strategy. Finalists will compete for a $5k prize awarded by Waller.
The following companies are 2019 Venture Forum finalists:
- VenoStent, based in Nashville, is developing a venous wrap to improve the quality and length of life for the more than 2 million dialysis patients globally. Their device, the SelfWrap, intends to reduce access site failures. This technology can be applied anytime a vein-artery connection is made, including coronary and peripheral artery bypass grafting. It promotes a more desirable, uniform outward vein growth.
- Diatech Diabetic Technologies Inc., headquartered in Memphis, is developing a patent-pending smart infusion set that monitors and alerts patients with insulin-dependent diabetes and their caretakers of insulin pump delivery malfunctions. Their product, SmartFusion, is a sensor-based infusion set for insulin pumps that monitors insulin delivery for accuracy and infusion abnormalities.
- EDP Biotech Corporation, based in Knoxville, is an ISO-certified in vitro diagnostics company focused on the commercialization of simple, cost-effective assays used to detect disease early. Their technology, ColoPlex™, is a blood-based test aimed at detecting colorectal cancer at its earliest stages when patients have the best opportunity for successful outcomes.
- Winter Innovations, headquartered in Knoxville, is a medical device company that develops novel orthopedic surgical tools to improve patient outcomes in high-risk procedures. Their flagship product, the EasyWhip™, is a specialty needle designed to improve stability, speed, and efficiency of graft stitching, which is a critical component of surgery for torn ligaments and tendons. The EasyWhip™ double-loop stitching needle is the first to leverage removable, connected needle portions to give surgeons more control over the stitching process.
Come see these exciting companies compete on stage Nov. 14 at LSTCON!
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Thank you to our LSTCON sponsors
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October Beer & Biotechs
Today, Oct. 3, we're gathering at Wiseacre Brewing Co. in Memphis to network and learn about the latest life science news in the market.
At the event, you'll hear from a panel of speakers who all served as postdocs at St. Jude before moving to industry about their transition out of academia:
- Stephanie Smith, Senior Clinical Research Strategy Specialist, Medtronic
- Evan Comeaux, Senior Scientist, Biocompatibility, Smith & Nephew
- Delira Robbins, Licensing Associate, University of Tennessee Research Foundation
- Jolieke Van Oosterwijk, Chief Scientific Officer, US Biologic
Other upcoming events near you (click the links to RSVP):
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Scipreneur Continues
On Sept. 5, LST's Academic Alliance in Knoxville kicked off their inaugural Scipreneur Challenge. At the event, student teams were assigned IP from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Click here to see the available IPs.
This week's session will be led by UTRF's I-CORPS customer discovery program. Learn more about this event and the Knoxville Scipreneur Challenge.
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LST Member Opportunities
Apply
- ISCTM New Investigator Award: The International Society for CNS Clinical Trials and Methodology has created a program to recognize promising new investigators across the broad range of methodological, regulatory and substantive programmatic interests of the society. Applicants can submit a poster abstract based on original research in the field of CNS Trial Methodology for which the applicant will serve as presenting author; a one page statement of research and career interests; a complete CV; and one letter of reference. Applications are due on or before Nov 1. Learn more and apply here.
- Patents2Products Fellowship Program: The University of Memphis and Epicenter have partnered to create a new program designed to hire post-doc fellows to start businesses, using patented intellectual property developed both in Memphis and across the United States. Starting this fall, Patents2Products Post-Doc program creates a two-year funded position for research entrepreneurs and provides them with the necessary tools for a launching a successful startup. For more information or to apply, click here.
- BIO 2020: Planning is underway for next year's BIO International Convention in San Diego, June 8-11. There are two opportunities of note. Company Presentations are 13-minute showcases of your research and development activities, licensing opportunities, and investment goals in front of a global biotech audience. Apply today! And the Start-Up Stadium provides an exciting and interactive experience where investors provide live feedback and judge six-minute pitches by startup biotech companies. Check back to apply.
Attend
- 7th Startup of the Year Competition & Summit: Powered by the new partnership of Established and Start Co., the Summit focuses on the attendee experience. Whether an emerging startup, a successful brand/corporation, or an investor, the Summit provides tailored opportunities that cultivate connections where they matter most for YOU—connecting with startups, connecting with investors, networking, mentoring, and more. Register here for Oct. 14-16.
- MedTech Women @ SEMDA: Network with the brightest women in medtech at this information packed half day conference. A dynamic group of speakers will discuss real-world solutions to the most challenging issues facing the modern medtech market at Memphis Bioworks on Oct. 21. Register here.
- SEBIO Forum: The Southeast BIO (SEBIO) Investor & Partnering Forum will be held Nov. 6-7 at The Biltmore in Miami-Coral Gables, FL. The conference provides an unparalleled opportunity to meet key decisionmakers in the regional and national life science and medical technology communities. Register today.
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LST News
The Women’s Entrepreneurship Roundtable in Washington, D.C., was cohosted by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tim Scott.
Cumberland Emerging Technologies, Inc. (CET) today announced the appointment of Jim Stefansic, Ph.D. as CET’s Development Director. His responsibilities at CET will include sourcing, evaluating, and negotiating for new biopharmaceutical product and technology opportunities. He will also contribute to the management, support, and expansion of CET’s university collaborations.
Team assignments have been announced for the inaugural “Scipreneur Challenge” hosted by the Knoxville Chapter of Life Science Tennessee’s Academic Alliance. As noted in this recent teknovation.biz article, the cohort held its kick-off event September 5 where the college students learned about the technologies made available by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee Research Foundation. The students stated their preferences and assignments were made September 12.
Around the world, people are living longer. By 2050, there will be two billion people that are 60 years or older globally. Meanwhile, the amount of seniors (65+ years old) in the U.S. will double to 100 million by 2060. To meet the needs of this aging population, we will continue to need larger quantities and more varieties of prescription drug treatments—an industry that is expected to skyrocket to $1.2 trillion in size by 2024.
A quagmire of health policy fights in Congress got more complicated last week when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi formally launched impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. Lawmakers already faced headwinds for their agenda of reforms that require either a unified bipartisan front against industry opposition, as in the proposed ban of surprise medical bills, or White House coordination with Democrats to bring reluctant Republicans on board with aggressive reforms to lower drug prices.
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