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Knopp Neurosciences is a Pittsburgh, PA-based company in the Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotech sector.
ThermoGenesis Holdings, Inc. is an industry leader in the development and commercialization of automated cell processing technologies for the cell and gene therapy fields. We offer a full suite of solutions for automated clinical biobanking, point-of-care applications, and large scale cell processing and manufacturing for the emerging CAR-T immunotherapy market.
Artisan Pharma is a Waltham, MA-based company in the Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotech sector.
Vital Therapies, Inc. is a biotherapeutic company focused on developing a cell-based system for the treatment of acute liver failure. Our product candidate, the ELAD® System, is a human cell-based, bio-artificial liver support system that operates outside the body, or extracorporeally, and is designed with the proposed intent to allow the patient’s own liver to regenerate to a healthy state, or to stabilize the patient until liver transplant. The ELAD System incorporates our human liver-derived cells, or VTL C3A cells, contained in four hollow fiber cartridges, that are combined with single use customized disposable sets and an ancillary delivery system. Data from ELAD clinical studies has shown trends that may indicate a potential to increase survival rates in patients with acute liver failure. ELAD has received orphan designation in the United States and Europe for the treatment of acute liver failure. Prior to the initiation of our ongoing Phase III clinical trial program, over 145 subjects have received therapy with the ELAD System in seven clinical trials and through a compassionate use program, which we believe collectively suggests a promising therapeutic profile. In March 2013, we initiated VTI-208, a Phase III randomized, controlled clinical trial in 200 subjects with alcohol-induced liver decompensation. We reached the midpoint in enrollment of this trial in April 2014, and anticipate the release of preliminary data in the first half of 2015. In addition, we are conducting a second Phase III randomized, controlled clinical trial, VTI-210, in 150 subjects with severe acute alcoholic hepatitis, or AAH, which is a subset of AILD, and expect to initiate enrollment of subjects later in 2014. In the second quarter of 2014, we began enrollment of a Phase II clinical trial of the ELAD System in subjects with either fulminant hepatic failure, or FHF, or surgery-induced acute liver failure, or SILF. We anticipate the release of data from VTI-210 in 2016 and the Phase II component of VTI-212 in 2015 or 2016.
Symic is developing a new category of therapeutics that offer an exciting and biologically innovative approach to treating disease. While it is clear that cells play an important role in tissue inflammation and regeneration, it is also known that the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an equally critical role in maintaining healthy tissue. The ECM is the non-cellular component of the body’s tissues, and proteoglycans are important structural and functional macromolecules native to the ECM that are known to protect against tissue degradation and promote healing during illness or injury. Recognizing the importance of proteoglycans in many acute and chronic disease states, Symic developed a library of proprietary, ECM-specific compounds that mimic the protective effect of natural proteoglycans. For controlled injuries (e.g. incisions, balloon angioplasty), Symic’s ECM-specific compounds allow for local application, enhancing their ability to attenuate inflammation and reduce scarring only at the site of injury. In disease states known for chronic inflammation involving the ECM (e.g. cartilage in osteoarthritis), Symic’s technology can disrupt the cycle of degradation-inflammation by directly targeting and protecting the injured ECM. The ECM plays a critical role in many acute and chronic disease states, many of which have limited or no effective therapeutic options. Symic plans to advance its compounds in a variety of therapeutic areas with unmet clinical needs.