For the fifth time, MedCity News and Mid-America Healthcare Investors Network hosted a pitch competition in Chicago. It brought together the best startups across health IT, biopharma, health services, diagnostics and medical device categories. After whittling down the applicant pool, we had 47 stellar finalists take the stage from May 1-2. We thank these companies for taking part and congratulate them — you can see the full list of finalists here.
Here are the winners of the MedCity Pitch Perfect contest:
Diagnostics: Ischemia Care
From left: MedCity News Editor in Chief Arundhati Parmar, Ischemia Health CEO Jeff June, and MHIN President David Kereiakes. Photo: Jack Soltysik
Ischemia Care is a venture-backed, diagnostic company commercializing blood tests for cause of stroke, including atrial fibrillation; across the stroke care continuum, including point of care. In 2018, the company launched its first test, ISCDX, through Ischemic Stroke Lab, a lab division of the company. ISCDX is offered with ISC’s proprietary hospital cost-effectiveness program. Service offerings target pharma companies to apply biomarkers, personalized medicine, health care economics, and data analytics.
Judges: Ryan Cole, VCapital Principal; Wouter Meuleman, Illumina Ventures director, venture investments; and Wayne Wallace, Mutual Capital Partners cofounder
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
Biopharma: Rhythm Therapeutics
From left: MedCity News Editor in Chief Arundhati Parmar, Rhythm Therapeutics CEO Eric Sandberg, and MHIN President David Kereiakes. Photo: Jack Soltysik
Rhythm Therapeutics is developing a novel biological (gene) therapy to improve the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Research at Northwestern University has identified major transgenes to selectively target key molecular mechanisms underlying AF and demonstrated marked decrease in AF in proof-of-concept studies in large animal models of AF.
Judges: Jason Fuller, NEA Principal; Sean Kendall, ARCH Venture Partners Associate; and Nancy Sullivan, IllinoisVENTURES CEO
Medical Devices: SafKan Ear Care
From left: MedCity News Editor in Chief Arundhati Parmar, SafKan Ear Care CEO Sahil Diwan, and MHIN President David Kereiakes. Photo: Jack Soltysik
SafKan Ear Care developed OtoSet, an automated earwax removal device. It resembles a set of earphones but it uses pulsed irrigation and suction in a one-minute procedure and uses disposable pods that capture the wax. CEO Sahil Diwan has described the device as seeking to do for ears what the Sonic toothbrush has done for teeth.
Judges: Scott Button, Venture Investors managing director; Evan Norton, Abbott Ventures divisional vice president; and Renee Compton Ryan, vice president, Venture Investments, Johnson & Johnson Innovation.
(Sponsored by OSF Ventures) Health IT: Keriton
From left: MedCity News Editor in Chief Arundhati Parmar, CEO Vidur Bhatnagar, and MHIN President David Kereiakes. Photo: Jack Soltysik
Keriton automates in-hospital breast milk management for NICU nurses using uses a suite of smartphone apps and pre-printed barcode labels. Nurses can remotely monitor new mothers through nurse facing apps. The hospital can keep track of breast milk management and lactation analytics, as well as chat with a mother at home if she’s not pumping enough milk. Keriton Kare Mom, the mom-specific app, creates a log for the mother to track how much milk she is pumping. Nurses are also able to send photos of a mother’s baby in the NICU.
Judges: Taha Jangda, HealthX Ventures partner; Matthew Warrens, OSF HealthCare vice president of innovation partnerships; and Jessica Zeaske, GE Ventures director of healthcare investments.
Health Services: Health Scholars
From left: MedCity News Editor in Chief Arundhati Parmar, MHIN President David Kereiakes, and Health Scholars CEO Gary Durack. Photo: Jack Soltysik
Launched in partnership with OSF Healthcare, Health Scholars is designed to provide clinical education, best practices, and support cross-discipline collaboration.
Judges: Steven Collens, MATTER CEO; Jordan Dolin, Furthur Fund founder; and Adam Koopersmith, Pritzker Group Venture Capital partner.
Lead Photo: Getty Images
