Celunol, Inc. (NYSE:BP)
Problem:
We must reduce our dependence on foreign oil and find greener ways to deal with our energy needs.
Solution:
Ethanol can replace a portion of our oil consumption but making it from agricultural waste products instead of corn.
Bragging Rights:
BP BioFuels bought the part of Diversa that had been Celunol (pre-merger) for $98.3M July 10, 2010.
AxoGen, Inc. (OBB:AXGN)
Problem:
When peripheral nerves (controlling feet, hands, facial expressions etc.) need replacement a nerve is taken from elsewhere in the patient (autograft) to replace a “higher priority” damaged nerve. Result? Two surgeries, increased risk of infection, higher cost and some disability. Long gap nerve injuries often untreatable.
Solution:
Patients can have a nerve replaced using one surgical site with AxoGen nerve grafts from donor tissue (allograft). No rejection problems, works on long gaps, no loss of function from an autograft.
Bragging Rights:
The largest multi-center clinical study conducted in peripheral nerve repair suggests far better results for AxoGen’s Avance over other hollow tube nerve conduits. Dr. Darrell Brooks, MD, the study’s principal investigator says “this is a paradigm shift” for patients.
EraGen Biosciences, Inc. (Acquired by Luminex Corporation NASDAQ:LMNX)
Problem:
In this connected world we need faster ways to develop tests for infectious diseases.
Solution:
EraGen has innovative ways to do molecular diagnostic testing to enhance such development.
Bragging Rights:
In June 2011 Luminex Corporation finished its acquistion of EraGen for $34M.
Pasteuria Bioscience, Inc.
Problem:
The world’s largest unmet agricultural pest-control problem is plant-parasitic nematodes. Highly toxic methyl bromide was used in the past but is being phased out by EPA.
Solution:
A new biological nematicide based on a natural microbe found in soil. This cleantech solution has been proposed for decades but never before achieved until Pasteuria Bioscience figured out how to do it.
Bragging Rights:
In late 2012 this small company was acquired by Syngenta, the largest agri-business in the world for $113 million.
HyGreen, Inc. (from Xhale)
Problem: Patients acquire infections in hospitals because personnel don’t wash their hands frequently enough.
Solution: With HyGreen, a hand hygiene recording and reminding system, hospital personnel swipe their washed hands under a wall-mounted sensor and their special badges blink green. If they enter a zone around a patient’s bed without a green badge the badge vibrates as a reminder. Each action is recorded electronically in real-time.
Bragging Rights: Their first customer, Miami Children’s Hospital, showed 67% reduction in healthcare associated infections.
Applied Food Technologies, Inc.
Problem: Food distributors can be victims of fraud when buying seafood. Is that Grouper or Vietnamese Catfish grown in highly polluted waters? Diners want to know.
Solution: DNA analysis for identification of fish species.
Bragging Rights: AFT pioneered this field (we call them the CSI of seafood). They are the only testing company the FDA uses when they detain fish at the U.S. border and the two largest food distributers in the U.S. are clients.
TV20 Technology SpotlightNanotherapeutics
CEO James Talton
Problem: If drug therapies can be made more consistant the result may be reduced dose and dose frequency as well as fewer side effects.
Solution: This company has proprietary techniques that can enhance both the rate and extent of drug uptake and/or bioavailability.
Bragging Rights: In 2013 Nanotherapeutics was awarded a major DOD contract for medical countermeasures and advanced development and manufacturing. A facility will be built in Alachua, Florida.
Oragenics (OTCQB and OTCBB:OGEN)
Problem: Dental caries are a major public health problem.
Solution: A painless, one-time, five-minute topical treatment applied to the teeth that has the potential to offer lifelong protection against dental caries. This is still in development.
Bragging Rights: While developing their one-time treatment for dental caries, they have also developed and commercialized a variety of products that contain the active ingredient ProBiora3, a patented blend of oral probiotics that promote fresher breath, whiter teeth and supports overall oral health sold in Walgreens, Rite Aid, the Kroger family of stores and Garden of Life, among others.
Applied Genetics Technologies, Corp. (AGTC)
Problem: Defective genes can cause fatal and debilitating conditions.
Solution: Gene therapy offers the prospect of a complete cure.
Bragging Rights: AGTC has secured $81.9 million in venture funding from blue chip investors and has several products in active development, one of which is partnered to Genzyme Corporation.
