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TruSpine is a medical device company focused on entering the $10.2 billion (US) per annum spinal device market. The Company is developing uniquely disruptive technologies to revolutionise the spinal stabilisation market, commencing with three flagship pioneering, spinal devices. The Cervi-LOK™ (for the cervical and upper thoracic spine), GRASP Laminoplasty (a treatment for decompression of the spinal cord) & Faci-LOK™ (for the lumbar and lower thoracic spine). These unique devices represent a paradigm shift in spinal fixation, by providing exceptional stabilization while not altering the bony anatomy such as screws, staples or other devices which currently dominate the spinal market. The TruSpine philosophy and mantra is one of preserving nature`s design, and as such, the devices have been designed to be safer, faster and easier to implant. The potential cost savings to patients, insurers and surgeons can be significant. The technology is minimally intrusive, minimally invasive and reversable. The first product to market will be Cervi-LOK™, and will be the first posterior cervical stabilisation device in the world which fully preserves the boney anatomy of the spine. TruSpine has a phased product development strategy, and is planning to commence initial product marketing between late 2020 to early 2021. The overall aim is to establish the TruSpine products as the go-to solutions for the spinal stabilisation market. In addition to the three flagship platform products currently under development, the company also has a pipeline of additional and complementary spinal products.
Kezar co-founder Christopher Kirk, Ph.D. began his work on the unique function of the immunoproteasome at Proteolix in 2005, while working on the compound that would become the successful multiple myeloma drug KYPROLIS™ (carfilzomib). As VP of Research at Onyx Pharmaceuticals, which acquired Proteolix in 2009, Christopher led the efforts to develop the first selective inhibitors of the immunoproteasome and designed multiple studies demonstrating their profound immunomodulatory effects. In parallel with this work, Christopher and Kezar co-founder Jack Taunton, Ph.D. collaborated on several research projects involving protein secretion. This collaboration inspired a belief in the strong synergies between protein degradation and protein secretion, two fertile areas for drug discovery with platform potential. In 2014, Christopher and Kezar co-founder John Fowler began developing the business plan for Kezar, acting on a longstanding desire to work together and build a world-class company. In 2015, John and Christopher raised $23M and negotiated a worldwide, exclusive license agreement with Amgen for the Onyx immunoproteasome inhibitor patent estate. Now underway, John and Christopher are excited to leverage their complementary skill sets to build Kezar into a leader in small molecule drug development.
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is committed to solving the most challenging problems in health by developing research programs dedicated to urgency, excellence and honesty. Part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ARPA-H aims to accelerate breakthroughs that empower every American to realize their full health potential – turning the seemingly impossible to the possible to the actual. The ARPA model is a continuous cycle of planning, implementing, and evaluating, and we`re looking for the best ideas and the brightest minds to carry out each process. We`re committed to diversity in all its forms.
Omni Environmental Services is a Portland, OR-based company in the Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotech sector.