French start-up CliniGenetics SA has devised an integrated pharmacogenomics and bioinformatics technology platform to identify gene and protein targets associated with vascular diseases. The company hopes to use those targets to devise novel therapies and diagnostics.

A preview of the emerging health care companies profiled in the current issue of Start-Up. This month's profile group, Permanent Contraception, features profiles of Adiana Inc., Ovion Inc. and ReVas Inc. Plus these Selected Start-Ups across Health Care: Angiogenix Inc., CellControl Biomedical Laboratories AG, Cellzome GMBH, ChemGenex Therapeutics Inc. and Praxsys Biosystems Inc.

Angiogenix believes the delivery of its novel growth factor, pleiotrophin, will lessen the need for repeated interventional procedures to treat restenosis at a fraction of the current cost of interventional (device or surgical) therapy, without the use of a permanent device or foreign graft.