Most Promising Life Science Technology Companies Announced at  Rice Alliance  Life Science Venture Forum

HOUSTON – May 20, 2008 -- The Rice Alliance announced the top ten most promising Life Science companies at the 7th Annual Life Science Venture Forum in Houston last week. Life Science companies showcased their new ventures for an audience of more than 350 attendees, including investors, venture capitalists, industry representatives, business leaders, advisors/mentors, service providers, and entrepreneurs.  
 
Cynthia A. Doerr, M.D., partner, Essex Woodlands Health Ventures said of the presenters, “This is one of the most mature groups of healthcare-related company presentations that I have reviewed in Houston, and I intend to follow their progress closely.”
 
The one day event culminated in an announcement of the Most Promising Life Science Companies chosen from nearly 40 competitors and judged by the Rice Alliance Information Technology Advisory Board, based on the companies’ elevator pitch presentations. The exercise simulates meeting an investor on an elevator and having only 90 seconds to convince them to invest in your company. 
 
Rice Alliance Director Brad Burke, announced the winners of the Most Promising Life Science Company awards at the event. “Every year the quality of companies improves. Many of the companies at this year’s event have developed prototypes, obtained proven results and are on their second round of funding. This makes them more appealing to investors, who have also expressed appreciation for the quality of the companies.”
 
"Since it began seven years ago, the MD Anderson Cancer Center has co-hosted and supported the Rice Alliance Life Science Technology Venture Forum.  The event is aligned with our mission at the Office of Technology Commercialization to move our most promising innovations out of the lab and into the clinic and marketplace to aid M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in fulfilling its mission of Making Cancer History,” said Chris Capelli, Vice President, Office of Technology Commercialization at the U.T. M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. "This Rice Alliance life science venture forum has been a great venue to showcase some of the most promising life science technology-based ventures which have the potentially to dramatically improve the lives of millions of patients.  We are pleased to encourage the commercialization of technology innovations through this program." 

Top Ten Most Promising Companies, based on their elevator pitch presentations:

Andro Diagnostics
Developing products for diagnosis and therapy in male genitourinary health.
 
AuricX Pharmaceuticals
Developing novel anti-infectives to treat infections arising from Staphylococcus Aureus and other
difficult to treat pathogens.
 
CytoViva
Developing an advanced optical microscopy system with a novel fluorescence imaging capability.  
 
Lono Medical Systems
Developing bio-acoustic medical products.
 
New Heart Devices
Developing a total artificial heart system
 
Nidus Laboratories
Developing rational, targeted, and easy to administer therapies for cancer and immune disorders.
 
Opexa Therapeutics
Developing autologous cellular therapies for major illnesses, incl. multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular
disease, and diabetes.  
 
Organ Transport Systems
Developing human organ preservation technologies designed to improve the quality and availability of
vital organs.
 
PowerLung
Developing a handheld, drug free device to help people breathe better.
 
Traumatec
Developing a non-invasive device that targets the blood flow to the brain for immediate treatment of
victims of heart ailments, and head trauma for inducing and maintaining hypothermia  

The Forum was supported by Baker Botts, LLP, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Winstead Attorneys,
Comerica Bank, Deloitte and Baker & McKenzie with media sponsors Houston Business Journal and the
BusinessMakers Radio Show.