Ventures

Karla Therapeutics is exploring an approach, treating mental disorders by leveraging our immune system. Neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and OCD are increasingly prevalent, yet treatment options often have side effects and limited effectiveness. By bridging between the immune system and mental health, Karla aims to revolutionize treatment methods. Their research focuses on a specific protein identified by top-tier immunologists, showing promising results in early experiments for OCD, anxiety, and ADHD.

MLA Diagnostics improves melanoma diagnosis, offering personalized measurement of malignancy levels. Traditional diagnosis often leads to overtreatment or undertreatment, resulting in patient distress or undetected cancer progression. By analyzing methylation, our test provides accurate prognosis, enabling tailored treatment plans and saving lives. With the melanoma therapeutics market on the rise, our innovative solution is poised to make a significant impact, improve patient outcomes and create opportunities.

Flash Pathology revolutionizes tissue assessment with its scanner, with immediate imaging of biopsy and surgical specimens in the moment of operation. Unlike traditional methods, taking hours and requiring extensive labor, the Flash Pathology scanner visualizes cell structures within seconds without any preparation. This, non-labor-intensive solution enables distinguishing healthy tissue from tumors in real-time, reducing the need for revision surgeries and unnecessary biopsies.

Epilepsy causes uncontrolled seizures, greatly reducing quality of life and sometimes leading to early death. Over 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, but only two-thirds respond to medication. For those with drug-resistant epilepsy, treatment options are limited and often ineffective. MIR Therapeutics is developing a new gene therapy to provide lasting and powerful seizure control for drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Their therapy delivers microRNA-335 to the affected brain regions using an AAV9 viral vector, which helps control hyperexcitability by regulating voltage-gated sodium channels. This results in fewer and less severe seizures.

More information coming soon

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.

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.

The traditional practice of immediately cutting the umbilical cord after birth can pose risks to newborns, causing a dangerous drop in blood flow and oxygen levels. Concord Neonatal offers a solution by allowing babies to receive lifesaving care with the umbilical cord intact until they start breathing on their own. This innovation, aims to prevent birth complications and long-term disabilities, while keeping the baby close to the mother and maximizing the benefits of placental blood until the baby can breathe independently.