Two SC Launch companies earn top honors at SoutheastBIO Investor Forum (SEBIO)

SCRA, a global leader in applied research and commercialization services, announced today that two SC Launch Companies, the Restorative Physiology Group and Ion Surgical Technologies, Inc. won top recognition at the SEBIO Investor Forum on December 3 and 4 at the Charleston Place Hotel in Charleston, SC.

SEBIO is the Southeast’s premier life sciences venture capital conference, connecting emerging life science companies with potential investors in a forum that provides meaningful networking opportunities. The conference attracted more than 300 attendees from the Southeast and around the world.

Before the conference, SC Launch companies Restorative Physiology Group, LLC, and EpiEP were selected as finalists in the SEBIO BIO/Plan competition. The Restorative Physiology Group was selected as the winner of the BIO/Plan competition.

More than 50 companies applied to the BIO/Plan competition. 10 finalists were selected, who each worked with an experienced mentoring group to develop a business plan. The business plans were then judged by a panel of venture capitalists (vc’s) and four finalists were selected to present at the conference. After the presentations, a guest panel of vc’s selected one company as the winner of the competition. The winner received a cash prize of $50,000 plus services.

Restorative Physiology Group LLC is actively engaged in the design and development of minimally invasive implantable devices for treating diseases of the human spine. The company’s proprietary Thermal Method™ technology makes it possible to implant surgical devices that are significantly larger than the access required to place them.

SC Launch company EpiEP, finalist in the BIO/Plan competition, has novel technology that allows physicians to safely access the pericardial cavity to treat cardiac conditions such as Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) and Atrial Fibrillation (AF).

In the Early Stage competition, four SC Launch companies were selected from a group of over 50 applicants. During the conference, each company is mentored by a group of seasoned entrepreneurs, investors and service providers. Four companies are selected to present to the entire conference at the “Early Stage Shootout.” SC Launch company Ion Surgical Technologies was announced as the winning Early Stage company.

Ion Surgical Technologies, Inc. has created new methods and products for arthroscopic ACL and rotator cuff repair as well as an interactive e-commerce distribution system.

“We are fortunate and grateful to be a participant in the SEBIO Investor Forum. This event provides a conduit to key members of the life science investment community,” said Brian Dross, President and Founder of Ion Surgical Technologies. “SEBIO is a great opportunity to demonstrate how our unique products will benefit the health care sector and how investment in Ion Surgical Technologies, Inc. will produce positive results.”

While Ion Surgical took top honors in this category, SC Launch companies Immunologix, Inc., KYATEC, LLC, and MicroVide were finalists in this Early Stage competition:

Immunologix, Inc. is a human antibody discovery and development company specializing in transforming naïve B-cells to produce fully human antibodies in vitro that can target any and all antigens.

KIYATEC, LLC captures high value information that reduces the time and cost associated with life science research, drug discovery and personalized medicine by commercializing advanced three-dimensional cell culture plasticware and cell-based diagnostics.

MicroVide develops and manufactures microdialysis and microfluidics applications for medical diagnostics and therapeutics that provide a continuous and real-time method to measure pathways and drug effects in patients. This approach provides a practical means for “personalized medicine” whereby patients can be administered a drug for maximal therapeutic benefit with minimal side-effects.

“We are proud of all of the 268 SC Launch clients we have helped stand up within the last four years, but we are especially pleased to be associated with the SC Launch companies who have been recognized by SEBIO this year,” said Bill Mahoney, SCRA CEO. “Their entrepreneurial successes validate not only the growing bio industry base in our state, but also the tangible results that come from supporting and facilitating knowledge-based businesses in South Carolina.”

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About SC Launch
SC Launch, an SCRA affiliate, assists entrepreneurial start-up companies with up-front counseling, seed-funding, and access to a powerful resource network. The SC Launch mission is to help generate knowledge economy jobs in South Carolina, enhance the state’s quality of life and provide opportunity for all South Carolinians in the new economy.

About SCRA
SCRA is a global leader in applied research and commercialization services with offices in South Carolina, Ohio and in the Washington, D.C. area. SCRA collaborates to advance technology, providing technology-based solutions with assured outcomes on behalf of industry, government, and research universities in SC, the US and globally.