MedTech for faster bone breaks | Reprogramming liver cells | Vaccine decision-making

"Write your injuries in dust, your benefits in marble.”  — Benjamin Franklin

Today’s itinerary:

• Implantable device for helping bones knit
• Reprogramming liver cells
• Accelerator delivers therapeutic does of radiation
• Using algorithms to optimize workforce
• Minnesota tops $1B in mergers and acquisitions
• Cognition Therapeutics goes public
  
• Techfest Louisville
• A novel T-cell test for COVID-19
• In-home detox program
  
• Supporting vaccine decision-making
• Patents for Humanity COVID-19 award

August 4, 2021

PUDDLE HOPS: HEALTH TECH

Image courtesy imageportal for Shutterstock

• MADISON, WI—Xudong Wang, a professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, was inspired, if you will, when Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone in a game against the Vikings. He knew that much depended on a quick recovery for the three-time MVP. What resulted was Wang’s invention of a thin, flexible device that could be implanted to deliver a tiny bit of electricity to help bones knit together faster. After that, the device’s components dissolve within the body.

• PITTSBURGH, PA—Ira Fox, professor of surgery at Pitt (The University of Pittsburgh Medical School), has demonstrated that he can regulate the production and function of proteins from human liver cells. The hope is that such gene regulation—in a sense, reprogramming liver cells—can substitute for liver transplantation. Fox and his colleagues have launched startup Pittsburgh ReLiver Inc., around their discoveries. After obtaining seed funding, they are now seeking additional investors that can help them prepare for human trials.

• ST. LOUIS, MO—Mercy Hospital in St. Louis has received a 15-ton compact accelerator to be used to deliver therapeutic doses of radiation to tumors while preserving healthy tissue and critical organs. The accelerator, the world’s smallest, is the core of the MEVION S250i Proton Therapy System which features HYPERSCAN pencil beam scanning technology and Adaptive Aperture, a duo that provides faster and more precise dose delivery.

• WEST READING, PA—Tower Health’s Reading Hospital wrestled with nurse staffing issues. Then it took a deep dive into staffing and workforce optimization using predictive algorithms. They saved a great deal of money while creating a more efficient staffing plan and greater nurse job satisfaction.

• GOLDEN VALLEY, MINNESOTA—According to the Medical Alley Association’s quarterly investment report, more than $1 billion of mergers and acquisitions and more than $347 million of public and private capital to fund new developments fueled a strong first quarter in Medical Alley. Boosted by the return of the Angel Tax Credit Program (ATCP), 43 companies raised $109 million in private capital; $238 million was raised in the public markets.

• PITTSBURGH, PA—Biopharmaceutical company Cognition Therapeutics is going public. The company, which is developing treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering to raise as much as $50 million. 

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FEATURED TECH EVENT

With TALK Louisville and Techfest

Gain tech insight and network with industry experts

at Techfest Louisville, August 26-27

Join the Technology Association of Louisville (TALK) on August 26 and 27 for Techfest Louisville. You will learn from expert panels in the areas of edge computing, 5G & broadband, cybersecurity and how to combat social isolation with technology. This year’s Techfest will be at Noble Funk Brew Co., (922 S. Second St. in Louisville). TALK's TechFest Louisville is a biennial summit designed to bring together technology professionals for learning and networking.

Featured Panels — Day 1, August 26

•  2PM: “The Techfest 2021 Zero Trust Panel.” Moderator: Da-Wyone Haynes, Cyber Product Owner, Aegon Global Technology Operations. Panelists:  Colin Glover, Cybersecurity Advisor, CISA; Jay Rollins, Founder, CloudNexus IT.

• 3PM: A Candid Conversation: “Cloud & Edge Computing Virtues & Angst”— Speakers: Arvin Singh, Managing Director of 5G & Edge innovation, Verizon & Tyler Smith, Cloud Solutions Consultant of RapidScale.

• 4PM: “A Look At Broadband & 5G in Kentucky: Issues, Solutions, & Progress.” Moderator: Dawn Yankeelov, CEO of TALK and President of Aspectx. Panelists: Tom Ferree, CEO of Connected Nation; Phillip Brown, Government Affairs Mgr., Crown Castle; and Bryan Eugene, Channel Sales Manager, Spectrum.

Featured Panel — Day 2, August 27

•  1PM: University of Louisville Trager Institute Panel: “Combatting Social Isolation: Tech Solutions Underway.” Moderator: Dr. Anna Faul, Ph.D. Executive Director, UofL Trager Institute, PhD. The Institute’s Panelists: Dr. Joseph D’Ambrosio, PhD: Dr. Pam Yankeelov, PhD; Barbara Gordon, Community Engagement.

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PANDEMIC INNOVATION

A novel T-cell test for COVID-19

OAKDALE, MN—Infectious disease testing laboratory Infectolab Americas has validated a novel T-cell test for COVID-19. The novel T-cell test for SARS-CoV-2 can help monitor cellular immunity against COVID-19 and offers greater detail to the immune status of long-haul patients.

In-home detox program

ST. LOUIS, MO—During the pandemic lockdowns, many Americans began drinking or increased their drinking to help them cope. Dr. Arturo Taca, Jr. co-founded INSynergy Personalized Addiction Care, designing an in-home detox program to keep patients safe and allow them to start treatment as soon as possible.

Supporting vaccine decision-making

MADISON, WI—Professors at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Computer, Data and Information Sciences (CDIS) are developing a vaccine fairness recommendation engine that will support equitable decision-making about vaccinations. The work will inform efforts to address vaccine access and hesitancy.

Patents for Humanity COVID-19 award

UNITED STATES—The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced the final deadline for submission of applications for its Patents for Humanity COVID-19 award. The Office expanded its awards program to recognize innovators who use game-changing technology to meet global humanitarian challenges. The submission deadline is 5 p.m. ET on Sept. 30, 2021. 

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