Selected Start-Ups (9/01)

In Vivo summarizes the technologies of these recently founded companies:Egea Biosciences Inc. will provide gene synthesis and protein design and production for its corporate partners. ImpactRx Inc. is building networks of high-prescribing physicians that will provide real-time diagnosis, drug, and promotion information to Pharma clients. MetriGenix Inc. claims that its flow-through platform has higher hybridization rates and larger active surface areas than typical microarrays, allowing for faster analysis using smaller amounts of samples and reagents. Neuronetics Inc. will use pulsed magnetic fields to treat severe depression, marketing its technology as a noninvasive alternative to electroconvulsive therapy. TolerRx Inc. aims to combat chronic inflammatory and immune diseases by harnessing the T-cell mediated tolerance mechanisms by which the body recognizes self-antigens. Starting off with three drugs acquired from Immunex Corp., Xanodyne Pharmacal Inc. will develop and market therapeutics for cancer, bleeding disorders, pain management and other indications.

Summarizing the technologies of companies founded within the last year:

Egea Biosciences Inc.

Address:6759 Mesa Ridge Road

San Diego, CA 92121

Phone:[phone]

Fax:[phone]

Web Site:www.egeabiosciences.com

Billing itself as the "premiere biological design and molecular bioengineering company," Egea Biosciences Inc. will provide gene synthesis and protein design and production for its corporate partners. The company claims that its platform starts with an amino acid sequence, either natural or imagined, produces a gene design, and yields purified protein within days. Hamilton Technology Ventures is backing Egea, which is headed by founder Glen A. Evans, MD, PhD.

ImpactRx Inc.

Address:307 Fellowship Road, Suite 300

Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054

Phone:[phone]

Fax:[phone]

E-Mail:[email protected]

Web Site:www.impactrx.com

Backed with $9 million from Oxford Bioscience Partners and Mediphase Venture Partners, ImpactRx Inc.will provide its pharmaceutical clients with a detailed analysis of the effects of their promotional efforts. The company is building networks of high-prescribing physicians that will provide real-time diagnosis, drug, and promotion information. Impact Rx was co-founded by Gerry Gallivan and Terry Overton, PhD. Tim Margraf, the former managing director of PharMetrics Inc., is president and CEO.

MetriGenix Inc.

Address:708 Quince Orchard Road

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Phone:[phone]

Fax:[phone]

E-Mail:[email protected]

Web Site:www.metrigenix.com

Spun out of Gene Logic Inc. in July 2001 to commercialize its 4D Array microarry technology, MetriGenix Inc. claims that its flow-through platform has higher hybridization rates and larger active surface areas than typical microarrays, allowing for faster analysis using smaller amounts of samples and reagents. Andrew O'Beirne, DrPH, is president and CEO.

Neuronetics Inc.

Address:c/o Innovation Factory

2750 Premiere Parkway, Suite 200

Duluth, GA 30097

Phone:[phone]

E-Mail:[email protected]

Newly launched from the Innovation Factory , Neuronetics Inc. will use pulsed magnetic fields to treat severe depression. The company will market its technology as an affordable, precise, noninvasive alternative to electroconvulsive therapy, and believes it may reduce patients' dependence on antidepressant drugs, which are notorious for side effects. The device will soon enter clinical trials in the US, and is approved for marketing in Europe and Israel.

TolerRx Inc.

Address:675 Massachusetts Avenue, 14th Floor

Cambridge, MA 02139

Phone:[phone]

Fax:[phone]

E-Mail:[email protected]

Web Site:www.tolerrx.com

TolerRx Inc. aims to combat chronic inflammatory and immune diseases by harnessing the T-cell mediated tolerance mechanisms by which the body recognizes self-antigens. The company is developing drugs that reprogram the immune system to control adverse immune responses without suppressing normal immune function. Douglas J. Ringler, VMD, is president and CEO of TolerRx, which is backed by HealthCare Ventures.

Xanodyne Pharmacal Inc.

Address:71 Cavalier Boulevard, Suite 224

Florence, KY 41042

Phone:[phone]

Fax:[phone]

E-Mail:[email protected]

Web Site:www.xanodyne.com

Starting off with three drugs acquired from Immunex Corp. , Xanodyne Pharmacal Inc. will develop and market therapeutics for cancer, bleeding disorders, pain management and other indications. Roger D. Griggs will chair the new company, which is backed by his venture firm Union Springs LLC as well as by Essex/Woodlands Venture Partners, Health Care Ventures and Blue Chip Venture Co.