The NLC Health Impact Fund

SERDA presents a solution for wound debridement, particularly useful for burn wounds and chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers. Traditional debridement methods can be expensive, painful, or less effective. SERDA offers an enzymatic debrider in the form of a hydrogel that selectively breaks down necrotic tissue, leaving healthy tissue intact, promoting faster healing with minimal discomfort for the patient. SERDA aims to improve the efficiency and ease of wound care, providing a more effective alternative to existing options.

Spinal cord Injury represents a large unmet medical need with approximately 1.2M new cases per year resulting mainly from motor vehicle accidents, falls and water related accidents. Currently available treatments only offer symptomatic relief but do not target the underlying pathophysiologic changes. The spinal cord injury market is predicted to reach US$3B by 2025. MLP-1236 is a First in class dual inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 9 and MMP 12 and has already completed Phase 1 and Phase 2a clinical studies. In preclinical models, MLP-1236 was effective in preventing/reversing the neurodegeneration associated with spinal cord injury and ischemic stroke.

StarTric, created by cardiovascular experts, developed a new, less invasive device to fix a serious heart valve problem, Tricuspid Regurgitation (TR). Addressing Tricuspid Regurgitation (TR), a severe condition with high mortality rates, StarTric's device offers a safer alternative to open-heart surgery. The technology can be implanted via a transfemoral catheter, combining the safety of minimally invasive methods with the proven efficacy of the Clover technique, aiming to provide effective treatment to millions of TR patients worldwide who currently lack suitable options.

UltraTIL enables real-time tool-in-lesion confirmation during endobronchial lung cancer biopsies. This compact, side-viewing ultrasound probe is designed for the peripheral airways. UltraTil can be inserted through the working channel of a bronchoscope or robotic platform. By visualising lesions perpendicular to the airway and displaying the needle or biopsy instrument entering the target, UltraTIL improves the identification and sampling of small, eccentric and hard-to-reach lesions. The result: higher diagnostic accuracy, less reliance on additional positioning instruments, and shorter, more efficient procedures.

Axial Orthopaedics Inc. revolutionizes trauma treatment with their innovative intramedullary nailing system. Current systems often lead to bone misalignment and joint pain, blocking post-procedural recovery. Axial Orthopaedics's modular system offers greater flexibility in bone alignment and healing. This system not only addresses postoperative pain but also reduces complications. Its intra-operative modularity and rotational capabilities allow surgeons to achieve better fracture fixation and improved outcomes, filling a crucial gap in current technology.

Neurolieve Biosciences, a pre-clinical stage company, is developing Fc2-13 GalR2, an innovative bioengineered protein (FC fusion protein) targeting neuropathic pain. Peripheral Neuropathy, a debilitating condition affecting millions, damages the peripheral nervous system, causing severe discomfort and lowering quality of life. The fusion protein reduces peripheral neuron excitability, providing pain relief. After successful in vitro and in vivo validations, the company is advancing towards GLP toxicology studies completion.

PEP Health addresses the complexity of monitoring healthcare quality by offering a platform that tackles key challenges in quality assessment. By combining multiple sources of patient feedback, including social media, PEP provides near real-time assessments of quality for hospitals and departments. This approach reduces costs, improves timeliness, and enhances trustworthiness compared to traditional methods. With potential customers ranging from healthcare providers to patient organizations, PEP's underlying algorithm has been validated across industries, including higher education.

Sigilla Medical is developing an innovative, implant-free radiofrequency device designed to close PFOs (patent foramen ovale) in stroke-risk patients. PFOs are associated with cryptogenic stroke and migraine, and current treatment involves placing a large metal device that spans the septum of the heart in an otherwise young and healthy patient. Sigilla’s device offers a safer, more efficient alternative by using controlled radiofrequency to seal the PFO without the need for implants. This less-invasive approach reduces procedural risk and adverse cardiac events while leaving options open for future minimally invasive procedures.