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, Hospital-Acquired Infections, features profiles of Entomed SA, Infectio Diagnostic Inc., MedMined Inc. and Microbia Inc. Plus these Selected Start-Ups across Health Care: Cardio-optics Inc., Immunocept LLC, Nucleotech LLC and Xenerate AB.

By marrying gene therapy with medical device technology, Sweden's Xenerate AB believes it can make implantable vascular devices--artificial grafts and stents--capable of endothelialization, thus improving their biocompatibility and reducing the incidence of intimal hyperplasia, restenosis and other adverse effects.