Start-Up Previews (09/2008)
Executive Summary
A preview of the emerging health care companies profiled in the current issue of Start-Up. This month's profile group, "Bone Building Start-Ups," features profiles of OsteoCorp, OsteoGeneX, Pradama, and Therosteon. Plus these Start-Ups Across Health Care: Aileron Therapeutics, Cohera Medical, CoLucid Pharmaceuticlas and Endogun Medical Systems.
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Cohera Medical Inc.
The lead product from Cohera Medical platform technology is a sprayable adhesive strong enough to hold tissue layers together following surgery. TissuGlu is an absorbable, urethane adhesive that is non-toxic for use inside the body. The initial indication will be plastic surgery, with an emphasis on abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). For such a procedure, the product is sprayed in between two flaps of tissue for reattachment, thus preventing fluid buildup that would otherwise occur between unattached layers of tissue and require cumbersome post-surgical drains with their associated complications.
Endogun Medical Systems Ltd.
Treating pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence usually involves a multiple-incision approach and blind needle passage, which may cause pelvic organ damage. In contrast, the EndoFast Reliant system from Endogun Medical Systems fastens mesh to soft tissue for pelvic floor repair by inserting a fixation device through a single, small vaginal incision. The device may enable the treatment of both disorders within a single surgery.
OsteoCorp Inc.
The class of drugs called beta-blockers--long used for heart disease and migraines--also prompts an increase in bone mass. OsteoCorp will repurpose beta blockers to build bone in the treatment of conditions like bone cancer and osteoporosis.