ADT Pharmaceuticals
Elevator Pitch:
ADT Pharmaceuticals develops novel small-molecule therapeutics that target a unique oncoprotein involved in drug-resistant metastatic cancers. Their lead compound, ADT-030, simultaneously blocks multiple oncogenic pathways and activates antitumor immunity. The compound has shown robust efficacy and tumor regression in mouse models of pancreatic, lung, and breast cancers and is ready for IND-enabling studies.
Highlights:
• Focus: Drug-resistant metastatic cancers (pancreatic, lung, breast)
• Stage: IND-enabling
• Differentiator: Dual-action mechanism combining oncogenic pathway inhibition and immune activation
• Contact: Gary Piazza, PhD, Chief Scientist – Auburn University gap0034@auburn.edu
BioPhoundry
Website: biophoundry.com
LinkedIn: BioPhoundry
Elevator Pitch:
BioPhoundry is a synthetic biology company creating a next-generation platform for automated, high-throughput phage engineering. Their technology accelerates bacteriophage discovery and optimization, enabling precision targeting of antibiotic-resistant bacteria — a growing global health crisis.
Highlights:
• Focus: Phage-based therapies for bacterial infections
• Stage: Early discovery
• Differentiator: AI-integrated phage design and automation platform
• Contact: Rani Brooks, PhD – rani@biophoundry.com
Dynamiko Pharmaceutics
Elevator Pitch:
Dynamiko Pharmaceutics is a Puerto Rico-based biotech developing selective and affordable therapeutics for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Their nature-derived lead compound targets a protein critical to TNBC cell survival, demonstrating strong anti-tumor efficacy, low toxicity, and synergy with conventional therapies. The company is committed to improving survival outcomes and quality of life for patients with aggressive cancers.
Highlights:
• Focus: Selective oral therapy for TNBC
• Stage: Preclinical
• IP: Patents granted in the US, Europe, and Japan
• Contact: Michelle Martinez-Montemayor, PhD – mmmtz92@gmail.com
Hazel Labs
Website: www.hazellabs.ai
LinkedIn: Hazel Labs
Elevator Pitch:
Hazel Labs builds AI for human connection and well-being. Its flagship product, My Friend Hazel, is a voice-based AI companion for seniors that provides empathy, conversation, and emotional support via simple phone calls. Designed for privacy, empathy, and accessibility, the technology addresses social isolation, a key driver of cognitive decline and health deterioration among seniors.
Highlights:
• Focus: AI-driven emotional wellness and companionship for seniors
• Stage: Private beta (Fall 2025)
• Traction: Developed with Auburn University; Alpha prototype completed Spring 2025
• Contact: Joshua Sahib, Founder & CEO – info@hazellabs.ai
Informuta
Website: informuta.com
LinkedIn: Informuta
Deck & One-Pager: DocSend Link
Elevator Pitch:
Informuta is a seed and clinical-stage techbio company that forecasts drug resistance trajectories to guide antibiotic selection with precision. As the only platform that quantifies treatment-emergent resistance risk before it happens, Informuta uses proprietary AI and novel predictive biomarkers to illuminate pathogen behavior in real time. The company exists 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.
Highlights:
• Focus: AI and predictive biomarkers for antibiotic resistance forecasting
• Stage: Seed and clinical
• Differentiator: Only platform that quantifies resistance risk before it emerges
• Contact: Kalen Hall, PhD – kalenhall@informuta.com
LumaWave Imaging
Website: www.lumawaveimaging.com
LinkedIn: LumaWave
Elevator Pitch:
LumaWave Imaging is developing advanced, non-invasive imaging solutions that integrate photonics and artificial intelligence to improve diagnostic precision. Their technology enhances visualization in biomedical imaging, enabling earlier detection and improved monitoring of disease progression.
Highlights:
• Focus: Optical imaging and AI for diagnostics
• Stage: Prototype and validation
• Differentiator: Combines deep-learning algorithms with cutting-edge photonics hardware
• Contact: info@lumawaveimaging.com
SimplyBreathe
LinkedIn: Bo Lewis
Elevator Pitch:
Using a new Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) technology, SimplyBreathe is a preclinical startup developing RhinEase™, a steroid-eluting implant for the treatment of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (AR and NAR). Over 77 million Americans suffer from rhinitis, and Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeons — who treat 6 million of these patients — are increasingly dissatisfied with current treatment options. SimplyBreathe aims to fill that gap with a safe, effective, and surgeon-friendly alternative.
Highlights:
• Focus: Implantable device for allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (AR and NAR)
• Stage: Preclinical
• Differentiator: Novel Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) technology enabling localized steroid delivery
• Contact: Cecil “Bo” Lewis, President – bo.lewis@comcast.net
Sylamore Bio
Website: www.sylamorebio.com
LinkedIn: Sylamore Bio
Elevator Pitch:
Sylamore Bio is developing a novel lectin-based delivery platform, SyLEC, that enables efficient, receptor-independent cellular uptake across diverse tissues, including the brain. The technology allows systemic delivery of biologics across the blood-brain barrier, unlocking treatment potential for neurological diseases such as Pompe, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. The company is advancing IND-enabling programs for its first target indication, Pompe disease.
Highlights:
• Focus: Lectin-based drug delivery platform for CNS and systemic diseases
• Stage: Preclinical
• Traction: $18M in non-dilutive funding raised; advancing IND-enabling studies
• Contact: Walter Acosta, PhD, CEO – wacosta@sylamorebio.com
Higher Medicine
Website: www.highermedicine.bio
LinkedIn: Higher Medicine
Elevator Pitch:
Higher Medicine (HMD) is developing a small-molecule LSD1 inhibitor for epigenetically driven brain disorders, beginning with Kabuki Syndrome (KS), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with no approved treatments. The lead molecule will be a potent and selective LSD1 inhibitor with an extensive safety record in humans and demonstrated robust efficacy in reversing KS symptoms in animal models. Beyond KS, this program lays the groundwork for broader therapeutic applications in traumatic brain injury (TBI), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), autism, and age-related cognitive decline, all linked to epigenetic transcriptional dysregulation.
Highlights:
Focus: Epigenetic modulation for neurodevelopmental and cognitive disorders
Stage: Preclinical
Differentiator: First-in-class small-molecule LSD1 inhibitor targeting underlying epigenetic dysfunction
Contact: Leo Kim, PhD leo.kim@highermedicine.bio