NOTE: This is the first of a series of posts on finalists for each of the MedCity INVEST Pitch Perfect tracks.
One of the highlights of the annual MedCity INVEST conference April 23-24 in Chicago is the Pitch Perfect competition. Companies across medical devices, biopharma, diagnostics, health IT services, and health IT sectors are evaluated on the strength of their presentation and technologies compared with category rivals and are quizzed by teams of judges for a deeper dive of their businesses. To register, click here.
Judges for the medical device track include Dr. Albert Huang, an Innovation Strategist with TMC Innovation; Evan Norton, Divisional Vice President with Abbott Ventures; and Nicole Walker, a partner with Baird Capital.
Here’s a look at who made the medical device track shortlist:
Avenda Health is a Santa Monica, California-based clinical stage device business focused on improving outcomes for prostate cancer through laser ablation.
Bioelectrics in Cleveland developed a take-home treatment for periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease, designed to be prescribed by dentists to reduce the cost, pain and fear associated with the condition.
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.
BioRegentech is a Hollywood, California device business that developed a treatment for chronic ulcerated wounds and diabetic ulcers.
Breezing in Tempe, Arizona developed sensor technology to give healthcare providers an easier, cost-effective way to measure key metabolic data such as resting metabolic rate and respiratory quotient for weight loss.
CorInnova in Houston developed a soft, robotic, non-blood contacting bi-ventricular cardiac-assist device to give short-term cardiac assistance to patients with heart failure. It is designed to eliminate blood contacting adverse events associated with existing cardiac assist devices and promote heart recovery.
Obsidio is an early stage medical device company with technology intended to stop undesired blood flow through vessels anywhere in the body.
Previvo in San Francisco has a minimally invasive alternative to in vitro fertilization.
Raydiant Oximetry in Mountain View, California has a non-invasive fetal oximetry under development to more accurately detect fetal distress during labor and delivery.
RxFunction, based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, produced a wearable lower leg sensory neuroprosthesis to help people with with peripheral neuropathy who have gait and balance impairments.
Companies continue to be added to the competition so check for updates and register today!
Photo: Getty Images
