Four Louisiana life science startups have been selected as finalists in the 2016 BioChallenge competition. They will compete for over $50,000 in prizes on Wednesday, November 16 at the Joy Theater. The finalists are:
1. Carre BioDiagnostics (New Orleans) aims to treat and prevent cardiovascular diseases in chronic kidney disease patients. Carre is initially focused on a simple diagnostic blood test to identify chronic kidney disease patients with coronary artery disease who are at high risk for heart attacks, allowing for earlier treatment, improved outcomes and reduced costs.
2. Chosen Diagnostics (New Orleans) is working to improve healthcare delivery for patients by personalizing their treatment. The company’s first product is a biomarker test that can diagnose a common and life-threatening gastrointestinal disease in preterm infants, offering more accurate results than current options and allowing earlier intervention in these fragile patients.
3. Grapheno (Shreveport) develops innovative graphene solutions. The company’s first product is a conductive coating based on graphene which protects sensitive electronics in sectors from telecommunications to medical equipment by absorbing harmful and unnecessary electromagnetic radiation. It is a low-cost alternative that meets or exceeds the protection levels of existing solutions.
4. Segue Therapeutics (Shreveport) is an early-stage privately owned biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and medical use of repurposed drugs, or the application of approved drugs to new disease indications. Segue aims to treat pancreatic cancer, a devastating disease for which truly effective life-extending treatments are not currently available.