Beken Bio Announces Lab Expansion at New Orleans BioInnovation Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Beken Bio Announces Lab Expansion at New Orleans BioInnovation Center, advancing ovarian cancer detection efforts

New CLIA-certified lab marks milestone toward commercialization of breakthrough blood test

NEW ORLEANS (March 30, 2026) – Beken Bio, a biotechnology company focused on early cancer detection, announced today the opening of its new laboratory at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC). The expansion represents a significant step in establishing the company’s commercial and clinical operations in New Orleans as it advances towards bringing its first product, a blood test for ovarian cancer detection, to market.

The new laboratory will support critical regulatory and operational milestones, including the development of a CLIA-certified facility required for clinical testing and commercialization. This expansion strengthens Beken Bio’s presence in the region while positioning the company to accelerate validation and regulatory processes for its diagnostic platform.

“Establishing our lab at NOBIC is a pivotal moment for Beken Bio,” said Christopher Millan, co-founder and CEO of Beken Bio. “This expansion allows us to build the clinical and commercial infrastructure needed to advance our ovarian cancer detection test through regulatory pathways and ultimately bring a life-saving diagnostic to patients. For me personally, bringing this work to New Orleans, the city where I grew up, makes this milestone especially meaningful. The collaborative ecosystem here is exactly what we need to continue building and growing.”

Beken Bio’s innovative blood test is designed to detect ovarian cancer at earlier stages, when treatment outcomes are significantly improved. As the company progresses through regulatory requirements, including CLIA certification, the new lab will serve as the foundation for clinical operations and future commercialization efforts.

The lab will be housed within NOBIC, a leading life sciences incubator dedicated to supporting biotech innovation and entrepreneurship across Louisiana. Through access to state-of-the-art facilities and a network of strategic partners, Beken Bio is positioned to scale its operations while contributing to the region’s growing bioscience sector.

“Beken Bio’s lab expansion is the kind of milestone NOBIC is built to enable,” said Kris Khalil, executive director of NOBIC. “We are directly supporting a startup move from breakthrough science to clinical-grade infrastructure under one roof. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer in the U.S., and the fact that this diagnostic is being developed and commercialized right her in New Orleans speaks to the strength of the ecosystem we’ve cultivated with our research and economic development partners across Louisiana.”

The opening of Beken Bio’s lab reflects continued momentum in the New Orleans’ life sciences industry, driven by collaboration between startups, research institutions and economic development partners. By establishing its clinical and commercial base in the city, Beken Bio is contributing to job creation, innovation and improved health outcomes both regionally and beyond.

For more information on Beken Bio and their work click here.

Editor’s Note: High-resolution images can be found here

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New Orleans BioFund & Gulf South Angels Announce Joint Investment in AI-Driven Medical Technology Company JuneBrain

For Immediate Release

New Orleans BioFund & Gulf South Angels Announce Joint Investment in AI-Driven Medical Technology Company JuneBrain

NEW ORLEANS (March 24, 2026) – The New Orleans BioFund and the region’s leading angel investor network, Gulf South Angels (GSA), announced a joint investment into medical technology company JuneBrain.

JuneBrain is developing portable, AI-driven Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) headsets designed to transform remote monitoring of eye and neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Founded by Dr. Samantha Scott, the company is working to make advanced retinal imaging accessible beyond traditional clinical settings, enabling earlier detection, more consistent monitoring and improved patient outcomes.

JuneBrain was the most recent first-place winner of New Orleans BioInnovation Center’s (NOBIC) annual BioChallenge, a global pitch competition for early-stage life science startups. The 2025 competition focused on neuroscience, with winners sharing a total prize pool of $100,000.

“JuneBrain represents exactly the kind of company BioChallenge was built to champion, a team using cutting-edge AI to solve a real clinical gap in how we detect and monitor neurological disease. We believe this technology can change patient outcomes at scale. We will improve patient outcomes and build a strong life sciences economy in Louisiana one bold investment at a time,” said Kris Khalil, Managing Director of BioFund.

“Our members were impressed by JuneBrain’s combination of breakthrough technology and strong market potential,” said Mike Eckert, Board Chairman of Gulf South Angels. “Investments like this reflect our commitment to supporting high-potential companies and partnering with organizations like NOBIC to bring innovative ventures into the Gulf South’s expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Founded in Baltimore, JuneBrain’s partnerships with NOBIC and GSA mark the beginning of a broader expansion strategy in Louisiana. In addition to local investment support, the company is actively pursuing collaborations with Louisiana universities and healthcare systems as it works to establish a deeper integration into the state’s growing life sciences ecosystem.

“From our experience at BioChallenge to the ongoing support from GSA and NOBIC, the New Orleans startup community has welcomed us with open arms,” said Dr. Samantha Scott, CEO and Founder of JuneBrain. “This funding allows us to accelerate development, expand access to our technology, and continue building meaningful roots in Louisiana as we grow.”

The investment reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the region as a competitive hub for life sciences and innovation. To learn more about JuneBrain, visit junebrain.com.

About the New Orleans BioFund

The New Orleans BioFund, part of the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, is an early-stage investment fund focused on supporting bioscience and health innovation companies with strong potential for economic and community impact. The BioFund provides capital and strategic support to companies advancing healthcare solutions while driving job creation and commercialization opportunities in Louisiana.

About Gulf South Angels

Gulf South Angels (GSA) is a nonprofit organization founded in Southeast Louisiana that has grown into a premier network of 165 accredited investors across 18 states. Since its founding in 2014, GSA has collaborated to evaluate, fund, and support early-stage companies across a wide range of industries, investing more than $32 million in 70-plus companies. The group connects innovative entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship, and strategic connections, and is recognized among the top 10% of angel groups in North America by the Angel Capital Association. Learn more at gulfsouthangels.org.

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Tehnical.ly Partners with NOBIC for BioChallenge 2026

NOBIC is excited to have Tehnical.ly as a media partner for BioChallenge 2026.  With the recent opening of applications, they featured an article on their website and newsletters highlighting NOBIC + BioChallenge.

Neurological conditions are the leading cause of disability worldwide. Louisiana faces a disproportionate burden, with some of the nation’s highest rates of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. BioChallenge was created to accelerate the development of technologies and therapies that address these challenges and advance equity and innovation in brain health.

Beyond the $100,000 in non-dilutive funding, prizes include complimentary lab space at NOBIC, dedicated pilot implementation and grant-writing support. Finalists will also receive travel funding to compete in person in New Orleans.

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BioChallenge 2026 Applications Now Open!

For Immediate Release

Applications open for 2026 BioChallenge Pitch Competition at New Orleans BioInnovation Center

-Global brain health and neurotechnology startups invited to compete for more than $100,000 in non-dilutive funding

NEW ORLEANS (March 17, 2026) – The New Orleans BioInnovation Center has opened applications for its 2026 BioChallenge Pitch Competition, inviting early-stage biotechnology companies from around the world to apply for the opportunity to pitch innovative solutions in brain health and neuroscience.

The competition will take place Oct. 29, 2026, at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center in downtown New Orleans and will award more than $100,000 in non-dilutive funding to promising startups working to address neurological diseases and advance brain health innovation.

This year’s BioChallenge will spotlight emerging companies focused on brain health and neurotechnology. Neurological conditions are now the leading global cause of disability, and the economic burden of neurological disease is projected to exceed $6 trillion by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum. Louisiana faces an even greater burden, with some of the nation’s highest rates of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.

Through BioChallenge, NOBIC aims to accelerate promising startups by providing funding, mentorship and connections to investors, health systems and research institutions.

“BioChallenge remains one of the most impactful ways we showcase the important role Louisiana plays in addressing global health challenges,” said Kris Khalil, Executive Director of the New Orleans BioInnovation Center.  “This year’s re-commitment to brain health and neuroscience reflects both the scale of the need and the opportunity for breakthrough innovation. We’re inviting bold entrepreneurs from around the world to bring forward solutions that can improve lives, while strengthening New Orleans’ position as a growing hub for bioscience innovation, collaboration, and commercialization.”

The competition is open to early-stage biotechnology companies globally that are developing solutions in brain health, neuroscience and related fields.

Past BioChallenge winners include several companies that have gone on to expand their impact in the biotechnology industry including JuneBrain, Informuta, 28bio (formerly AxoSim), Junum and Obatala Sciences.

Startups interested in participating can learn more and submit applications at https://neworleansbio.com/biochallenge-2026/. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Editor’s note: Link to photo assets here.   

 About the New Orleans BioInnovation Center

The New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC) is a nonprofit business incubator dedicated to supporting the growth of bioscience and health technology companies in Louisiana. Through mentorship, commercialization support, workforce development and strategic partnerships, NOBIC helps entrepreneurs bring innovations to market and strengthen the region’s bioscience ecosystem.

 

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CDVCA and New Orleans BioFund co-invest to advance bioscience innovation and economic opportunity in New Orleans

For Immediate Release

CDVCA and New Orleans BioFund co-invest to advance bioscience innovation and economic opportunity in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (March 3, 2026) — The Community Development Venture Capital Alliance (CDVCA) and the New Orleans BioFund, part of the New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC), have both invested in two bioscience companies expanding operations in New Orleans neighborhoods where impact capital can make an outsized difference.

The two venture funds co-invested in the seed round of Informuta, an infectious disease intelligence company that forecasts drug resistance trajectories to guide antibiotic selection with precision and quantify treatment-emergent resistance risk for the first time. Informuta is the grand prize winner of NOBIC’s 2024 BioChallenge pitch competition.

CDVCA and the New Orleans BioFund also co-invested in the pre-seed round of Beken Bio, a biotechnology company developing a blood-based diagnostic test designed to detect early signs of ovarian cancer, one of the deadliest cancers due to late-stage diagnosis.

Founded in 2023 by CEO Kalen Hall, Ph.D., and CTO Leo Williams, Ph.D., Informuta uses proprietary AI and novel predictive genomic biomarkers to give clinicians the confidence to choose therapies that won’t fail their most vulnerable patients – transforming antibiotic prescribing from reactive to predictive and empowering smarter, future-proofed decisions.

This investment will support Informuta’s clinical validation studies and expansion of its test menu to cover numerous high priority pathogens, with the goal of implementing the test later this year with major health system partners and assessing its clinical and economic impact.

With this investment, Beken Bio is expanding its operations to New Orleans, establishing the city as the company’s clinical and commercialization hub. The investment will help finance development of a CLIA-certified laboratory at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center.

“We’re excited to support the expansion of Beken Bio and Informuta in  communities that have experienced long-term underinvestment and disproportionate health burdens, and to catalyze the creation of quality jobs for local residents,” said Kerwin Tesdell, president of CDVCA. “We are pleased to co-invest with the New Orleans BioFund to advance shared goals around economic opportunity and innovation-driven growth.”

“NOBIC and the BioFund are very intentional about supporting our pipeline through funding, commercialization, pilots and job creation. Informuta is a powerful example of that,” said Kris Khalil, executive director of the New Orleans BioInnovation Center and BioFund Managing Director. “Dr. Kalen Hall won our 2024 BioChallenge, and this investment helps her team scale a novel infectious disease diagnostics platform. We’re grateful to CDVCA for partnering with us to deploy capital in New Orleans communities facing persistent health and economic inequities so more residents can access better health outcomes and high-quality bioscience jobs. We’re equally excited that this investment helps bring Beken Bio to New Orleans, bringing founder Dr. Christopher Millan back home to advance early cancer detection.”

About CDVCA

The Community Development Venture Capital Alliance (CDVCA) is the national network of community development venture capital (CDVC) impact investing funds. CDVCA promotes the creation of quality jobs, productive wealth and entrepreneurial capacity that advance the livelihoods of low-income people and the economies of distressed communities. CDVCA works to strengthen the CDVC industry through advocacy, education, communications and best-practice development, while managing and investing more than $400 million of investments in CDVC funds and businesses that support job creation.

 About the New Orleans BioFund

The New Orleans BioFund, part of the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, is an early-stage investment fund focused on supporting bioscience and health innovation companies with strong potential for economic and community impact. The BioFund provides capital and strategic support to companies advancing healthcare solutions while driving job creation and commercialization opportunities in Louisiana.

 About the New Orleans BioInnovation Center

The New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC) is a nonprofit business incubator dedicated to supporting the growth of bioscience and health technology companies in Louisiana. Through mentorship, commercialization support, workforce development and strategic partnerships, NOBIC helps entrepreneurs bring innovations to market and strengthen the region’s bioscience ecosystem.