Success Stories at Boston University
Hemaquest Pharmaceuticals, founded in 2007 by scientists at Boston University, Colorado State University and University of Washington, focuses on developing small-molecule therapeutics for hematologic disorders. The biopharmaceutical company has two drugs in Stage 2 clinical development: HQK-1001, to treat blood disorders sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia and HQK-1004, to treat viral-related cancers like lymphoma or other lymphoproliferative disorders associated with Epstein-Barr virus.
http://hemaquest.com/
Boston University physics professor Raj Mohanty founded Sand9, a company focused on developing high-precision micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology, in 2007. The start-up, which spent its early years in OTD”s Technology Incubator, recently revealed the development of MEMS oscillator structures that match the performance of high-end temperature-compensated quartz crystal (TXCO) oscillators. This breakthrough will allow MEMS to compete with TXCO in the mass market for wireless 3/4G cellphones, global positioning systems, and WiFi.
http://sand9.com/
Flex Biomedical creates innovative products to aid orthopaedic injuries and diseases. The company was founded by Mark Grinstaff, a professor of biomedical engineering and chemistry at Boston University. Flex Biomedical developed the Flex Polymer, an injectable, synthetic polymer designed to treat arthritis, based on intellectual property licensed from Boston University. This polymer is the only treatment of its kind available that can both relieve pain and protect cartilage from further degradation.
http://www.flexbio.com/
Boston University MED professor and researcher Dr. John Murphy created Ontak, a drug to fight cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a class of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Research trials show evidence that Ontak may effectively treat refractory graft-vs. host disease, a common but potentially fatal complication of stem cell transplants in which donor lymphocytes attack the patients healthy cells. Ontak was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 and is currently marketed by Eisai Pharmaceuticals with estimated sales of 40 million.
http://www.eisai.com/
Modular Genetics Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on sustainable gene engineering. Founded by Boston University MED professor Ph.D.Kevin Jarrell and ENG professor Ph.D. Temple Smith, the start-up’s automated gene engineering sytem,CombiGenix, allows for the rational design of proteins. Modular Genetics worked with Monsanto Company to genetically engineer crops with traits like drought resistance and more recently with Ohio State University to develop a process to manufacture bio-dsipersants that could be used to migate the harmful effects of the Bell-Petroleum Oil spill on wetlands in the Gulf Coast.
http://www.modulargenetics.com/index.html