AxoSim Receives $1.7M Grant from the National Institutes of Health

Tenant startup AxoSim has been awarded a two year NIH Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant for $1,770,000 to advance their nerve-on-a-chip technology for predictive preclinical drug testing. AxoSim is developing clinically relevant models of human neurological tissue to bring much needed therapies to market faster and more efficiently. In partnership with Tulane, this project will further validate the company’s proprietary peripheral nerve model for screening drugs against neurotoxicity. Peripheral neuropathy manifests itself in up to 40% of patients receiving chemotherapy and is the number one reason patients stop receiving treatment. The startup will also develop machine learning algorithms to improve the model’s predictive power over time. AxoSim has grown to 11 team members since launching in 2014 and beginning to receive Commercialization consulting assistance.

September 21, 2017 — Read more at New Orleans CityBusiness

AAAneurysm Outreach Expands Screenings Around the Country

Non-profit tenant organization AAAneurysm Outreach continues to expand its reach across the U.S., with two free screenings set in October in Connecticut and Chicago. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the 13th leading cause of death in the country. Early detection is critical because there are typically no symptoms until rupture occurs, and up to 90% of patients who experience a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm will not survive. AAAneurysm Outreach has provided noninvasive screenings to men and women from all 50 states this year, including more than 1,000 veterans screened during the national convention of Veterans of Foreign Wars.

September 20, 2017 — Read more at AAAOutreach.org

ICONIC Protein Closes $8 Million Funding Round

Innovative beverage startup ICONIC Protein has added several industry experts to the company’s board and raised $8 million to expand staff, retail sales, and product offerings. The startup, which launched out of the Center, is opening a headquarters office in California, while continuing to employ staff based in Elmwood and remotely nationwide.

September 13, 2017 — Learn more at BevNet

LaCell LLC Launches Spinout Startup Obatala Sciences

Founded by experienced biotech entrepreneurs, tenant company LaCell produces research products for academic and biotech investigators nationwide. The team aims to facilitate the translation and development of adipose-derived stem cells as regenerative therapies for various conditions. Based on the results of recent studies, LaCell is now officially spinning out a new company called Obatala Sciences. The new startup, led by Dr. Trivia Frazier, will focus on commercializing a ‘fat-on-a-chip’ research product that has already received grant funding from the National Science Foundation.

September 5, 2017 — Read more in our newsletter