Selected Start-Ups (04/01)

In Vivo summarizes the technology of several recently founded companies: BioWisdom Ltd. is an Internet R&D portal to support site users through all phases of drug discovery and development. Cardion AG will focus on heart disease treatment and cell transplantation using its platforms in gene therapy and stem cell technology. EngeneOS Inc. platform combines biological and engineered components to create programmable biomolecular machines. FemtoLink Biotechnologies LLC aims to accelerate its clients' discovery efforts with its integrated platform for molecular diagnostics of proteins, metabolites and DNA. Labnetics Inc. will develop low cost, disposable diagnostics using miniaturized sensor beads encased in silicon wafers. SyneCor LLC is an accelerator for new cardiovascular device companies.

BioWisdom Ltd.

Address:Babraham Hall

Babraham, Cambridge CB2 4AT, UK

Phone:[phone]

Fax:[phone]

E-Mail:[email protected]

Web Site:www.biowisdom.com

Seeded by MB Venture Capital Fund in September 2000, BioWidsom Ltd.joins the ranks of Internet R&D portals. It aims to disseminate public and proprietary data supplied by its academic and commercial partners to support site users through all phases of drug discovery and development. Founder Gordon Baxter, PhD, also the founder of Pharmagene PLC , is BioWisdom's CEO.

Cardion AG

Address:Max-Planck-Strasse 15a

Erkrath, D-40699, Germany

Phone:[phone]

Fax:[phone]

E-Mail:[email protected]

Web Site:www.cardion-ag.com

Formed through the November 2000 merger of Cardiogene AG and Intracardia Inc. , Cardion AG will focus on heart disease treatment and cell transplantation using its founding company's platforms in gene therapy and stem cell technology. Michael Ruhl, PhD, Cardiogene's CEO, will assume the same duty at Cardion. The company is based in Germany, with a US subsidiary.

engeneOS Inc.

Address:150 Cambridge Park Drive, 10th Floor

Cambridge, MA 02140

Phone:[phone]

Fax:[phone]

E-Mail:[email protected]

Web Site:www.engeneos.com

Frank Lee, PhD, the former CTO of Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc. will head NewcoGen venture engeneOS Inc. The company's Engineered Genomic Operating Systems platform combines biological and engineered components to create programmable biomolecular machines for applications in biosensors, nanotechnology and drug discovery.

FemtoLink Biotechnologies LLC

Address:11930 Heritage Oak Place, Suite 10

Auburn, CA 95603

Phone:[phone]

Fax:[phone]

E-Mail:[email protected]

Web Site:www.femtolink.com

New mass spectrometry diagnostics venture FemtoLink Biotechnologies LLC aims to accelerate its pharmaceutical, agricultural and environmental clients' discovery efforts and product development processes with its integrated platform for molecular diagnostics of proteins, metabolites and DNA.

Labnetics Inc.

Address:10315 102nd Terrace

Sebastian, FL 32958

Phone:[phone]

Fax:[phone]

E-Mail:[email protected]

Web Site:www.labnetics.com

Florida-based incubator XL Vision has formed Labnetics Incto commercialize electronic taste technology developed at the University of Texas, Austin. Labnetics will develop low cost, disposable diagnostics using miniaturized sensor beads encased in silicon wafers. Its technology can test for as many as 100 different conditions with a single blood sample, and provide instantaneous results.

SyneCor LLC

Address:3000 Sand Hill Road

Building 1, Suite 135

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Phone:[phone]

Fax:[phone]

E-Mail:[email protected]

Web Site:www.synecor.com

A joint venture of Becton Dickinson & Co. , GE Medical Systems and Guidant Corp. , SyneCor LLC is an accelerator for new cardiovascular device companies. Its initial focus is on basic catheter technologies and local delivery of therapeutics for cardiovascular applications. Duke University , which contributed IP to the company, has an equity stake. The company recently closed a venture round of $10.5 million from Frazier Healthcare Ventures, Delphi Ventures and DB Capital Partners.