Office of Research & Technology Transfer

 

The list below includes examples of start-up companies have been formed based on research and technology efforts at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

 

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Examples of Start-up Companies

 

 

 

Advanced Guidance Systems, LLC

Description

Guide View System

UT Faculty Involved

M. Sriram Iyengar, Ph.D

Location

Houston, TX

Year Formed

 

Other Information

Software related to a system for developing and delivering structured, interactive, multi-modal guidelines with a versatile interdisciplinary application and means of employment.

 

 

 

Ampholife Technologies, Inc.

Description

Large-scale purification of biological materials

UT Faculty Involved

L. Scott Rodkey

Location

Houston, TX

Year Formed

1988

Other Information

Currently manufactures the ATIsolator, a high-volume protein purification instrument that utilizes a fluid-phase isoelectric focusing format for high-resolution preparative purification of biomolecules and manufactures a series of ampholyte compounds.

 

 

 

Endothelix, Inc.

Description

Monitoring technology for cardiovascular health

Location

Houston, TX

Year Formed

2003

Other Information

Endothelix was awarded a $1 million grant from the State of Texas Emerging Technologies Fund for the development of its VENDYS™ system, for the measurement of vascular reactivity, and endothelial dysfunction. Recently VENDYS™ was approved by the FDA for commercial sale.

 

 

 

Leonardo Biosystems, Inc.

Description

Multi-stage nanovector drug delivery technology to facilitate chemotherapy and biological anti-cancer agent delivery

UT Faculty Involved

Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D.

Location

Pasadena, CA

Year Formed

2007

 

Other Information

The Company’s first target market is drug refractory breast cancer.

 

 

 

LifeCell

 

Description

Biologically-based products for the repair and replacement of human tissue

UT Faculty Involved

Dr. John Linner

Location

Branchburg, NJ

Year Formed

1986

 

Other Information

LifeCell’s current products include ALLODERM®, a regenerative tissue matrix, for plastic reconstruction. LIFC had an IPO in 1992, and in 2008, projected revenues are estimated at $233.0 million. LIFC recently announced its acquisition by Kinetics Concepts Inc. for $1.7 billion.

 

 

 

Marval Biosciences, Inc.

Description

Marval Biosciences, Inc. is developing the next generation contrast agents for high speed, high resolution CT scanners.

UT Faculty Involved

Ananth Annapragada

Location

 

Year Formed

2007

Other Information

Marval’s agents remain in the circulation for hours, facilitating continuous follow-up imaging in patients with evolving vascular crises including myocardial infarcts, stroke, and pulmonary emboli. Series A funding of $1.4 Million as well as SBIR Phase II funding from the NIH.

 

 

 

NanoMedical Systems, Inc.

Description

Nano-engineered diffusion delivery systems for drug delivery

UT Faculty Involved

Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D.

Location

Austin, TX

Year Formed

2008

Other Information

NanoMedical Systems (NMS) is one of the first convergent technology companies, integrating semiconductor, biotechnology, MEMS/NEMS, nano-materials, and pharmaceutical sciences in its products..

 

 

 

PLx Pharma, Inc.

 

Description

PC-NSAID based medications used for pain, inflammation, and cardiovascular treatment  

UT Faculty Involved

Leonard Lichtenberger

Location

Houston, TX

Year Formed

2002

Other Information

PLx completed four clinical trials with two lead products, and a third product recently received IND approval. PLx raised over $11 million, and has sponsored $4M in research to UTHSC-H and UT Medical Branch.

 

 

 

Protein Institute Inc. (Isovax)

 

Description

Protein identification for disease, diagnosis/treatment

UT Faculty Involved

Rowen Chang

Location

Houston, TX

Year Formed

2001

Other Information

PII possesses a series of biologically significant protein structural isomer profiles, which may lead to the development of new therapeutics and/or diagnostics for CNS diseases and cytokine disorders.

 

 

 

Simulation Education Services, Inc.

Description

Web-based disaster exercise technology

UT Faculty Involved

Scott Lillibridge

Location

Des Moines, IA

Year Formed

2006

Other Information

SES’s technology targets health care responders and other vital response sectors in areas where they have health related responsibilities, such as law enforcement, EMS, fire services, preparedness training in bioterror, mass casualty, natural disaster, and pandemic flu. SES webinars feature nationally known speakers dealing with topics pertinent to the disaster preparedness community to provide exercises and assessment needs.

 

 

 

Telemedicus, Inc.

 

Description

Products for fixed, mobile and deployable telemedicine applications that effectively places a “virtual physician” at a remote location.

UT Faculty Involved

James "Red" Duke, Doug Tindall

Location

Houston, TX

Year Formed

2006

Other Information

Telemedicus, Inc. targets a market of 40,000 ambulances nationwide, as well as emergency care facilities and remote or dislocated medical facilities. The Telemedicus technology operated in New Orleans after Katrina and is in operation in Houston and in Liberty Counties.

 

 

 

TexTeach, Inc.

Description

Care of Aging Videos for Nurse training

 

UT Faculty Involved

Nancy Bergstrom and Vaunette Fay

Location

Houston, TX

Year Formed

2005

Other Information

Two products on the market

 

 

 

 

 

Vanjan, Inc.

Description

Novel treatment to control mycobacterium tuberculosis infections (MTB).

UT Faculty Involved

Dr. James Stoops

Location

Houston, TX

Year Formed

2007

Other Information

Vanjan’s novel treatment is ideal for use in third world countries because of the inexpensive cost.  Vanjan is currently beginning clinical trials to test treatment efficacy.

 

 

 

Volcano Corporation

 

Description

Cardiology medical devices for the diagnosis and treatment of coronary plaque

UT Faculty Involved

James T. Willerson and Ward S. Casscells

Location

Rancho Cordova, CA

Year Formed

2001

Other Information

Volcano Inc. specializes in the manufacture of intravascular ultrasound and other devices for use in the assessment of heart and vascular disease. Volcano had an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in June 2006, based, in part, on the value of UTHSC-H technology.

 

 

 

Windmill Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

Description

 Left ventricular assist device and a total artificial heart

 

UT Faculty Involved

Richard Smalling

 

Location

Austin, TX

 

Year Formed

2005

 

Other Information

The WCS blood pump, TORVADTM, eliminates inlet and outlet valves while providing capability for control and synchronization with the native heart over a wide range of blood flows from near steady flow to pulsatile flow. WCS raised over $1.7 million with a commitment of approx. $3 million through 2010.

 

 

 

Your Doctor Program, Inc.

 

Description

Patient outcomes management system

UT Faculty Involved

Kim Dunn

Location

Houston, TX

Year Formed

2001

Other Information

Involves numerous local, state, and national organizations

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