Introducing First Flight's Inaugural WheelsUP Cohort
Research Triangle Park, NC - August 10, 2022 - First Flight Venture Center is pleased to announce the members of its first ever WheelsUP Health Security Accelerator cohort, held in collaboration with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). WheelsUP is a 12-week, cohort-based, sector-focused accelerator for science startups that will accelerate the ability of entrepreneurs to scale disruptive biotechnology and health security solutions. This cohort will be held virtually starting on August 18, and will include extensive business and technical education, mentorship, and funding opportunities.
“This is an exceptional cohort with a global reach,’ said First Flight President Krista Covey. ‘The focus on vital topics such as advanced biomanufacturing and drug discovery make this cohort poised to tackle national security issues like pandemic preparedness. The First Flight team is proud to be hosting this innovative cohort in collaboration with BARDA, and looks forward to helping these companies reach the next stage of their growth.’”
The benefits of the cohort include $5K in prize money for all companies accepted into the cohort, and up to $50k in additional prize money is available. Other wrap-around services, including all business and technical education, mentorship, and a First Flight membership are valued at over $214K. Companies will also have the opportunity to pitch to officials, investors, and other key figures. The Grand Prize winner will have an opportunity to present during BARDA Industry Day in November.
“The First Flight WheelsUP Health Security Accelerator is made possible by the partnership with BARDA.’ Explained First Flight Programs Director Emil Runge. ‘We are trying to improve the pipeline of companies for BARDA and collaboratively worked to provide an innovative solution that benefits these companies and our nation’s health security.’”
This inaugural cohort is made up of 10 companies located around the U.S. and the world. The cohort includes;
Akanokure Pharmaceuticals
Akanocure is a platform-based drug development company focusing on orphan and unmet needs in oncology, infectious diseases, and immunology. Akanocure’s platform is a robust synthetic strategy aiming to populate new chemical spaces via the efficient discovery, optimization, and manufacturing of oral drug-like compounds/macrocycles bearing high degree of diversity and complexity and maximum biological relevance against undruggable targets like PPIs (protein-protein interactions).
AthemBio
AthemBio invents breakthrough technologies and transforms them into solutions to solve major bioprocessing challenges encountered during biologics manufacturing.
AVECRIS Pte. Ltd.
AVECRIS is developing an advanced non-viral gene delivery platform that will enable next generation gene therapy and genetic vaccination. AVECRIS’s vectors are redosable and non-immunogenic, offering stable and long-lasting gene expression.
Jurata Thin Film
Jurata Thin Film, Inc. is working to revolutionize the way vaccines and biologics are stored, distributed and delivered to all who need them around the world. Jurata’s technology could remove the need for cold chain logistics in vaccine and biologic transport and storage.
Phase, Inc.
Phase is developing a novel way to 3D print microfluidics, which opens new doors to innovation in biotechnology, drug discovery, and research.
PrecNA LLC
PrecNA LLC, is a manufacturer of equipment for producing customized lipid nanoparticle formulations.
QATCH Technologies
QATCH is developing an early stage drug discovery tool to screen injectability and manufacturability of biopharmaceutical formulations.
QUANTiSCOPE
QUANTiSCOPE enhances drug discovery through automated imaging analysis tools designed to easily integrate into research workflows.
Regennova, Inc.
Regennova, Inc. Is a startup biotech company dedicated to developing novel therapeutics for inflammatory diseases and neurological disorders such as Cerebral Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s disease.
Sensible Biotechnologies, Inc.
Sensible Biotechnologies is solving the shortfalls of current mRNA manufacturing by building a novel manufacturing platform that will address this unmet and growing need for high-quality, high-purity and low-price mRNA.
To learn more about WheelsUP, visit www.ffvcnc.org/wheelsup, or email Emil Runge at erunge@ffvcnc.org.
About First Flight Venture Center
First Flight Venture Center is a high-science, high-impact science-focused business incubator located in the heart of Research Triangle Park, NC. Established in 1991, First Flight has hosted more than 400 plus science-focused companies, providing strategic education, tailored resources, guidance, business connections and office/lab space in a 25,000 sq.ft. facility. First Flight has launched businesses that have commercialized important new science breakthroughs and disruptive technologies, while creating thousands of jobs in North Carolina. For more information, visit http://ffvcnc.org or view First Flight video.