Rice Alliance Announces Most Promising Life Science Companies at 2011 Life Science Technology Venture Forum

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HOUSTON – (June 20, 2011)- The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship (Rice Alliance) announced the five Most Promising Life Science Technology companies and five Rising Ventures at the 10th  Annual Life Science Technology Venture Forum in Houston last Thursday. Life Science Technology companies showcased their new offerings at the largest venture capital conference in the Southwest with 350 attendees, including investors, venture capitalists, industry representatives, business leaders, service providers, and entrepreneurs. 

The one-day event culminated in an announcement of the

5 Rising Venture Life Science Technology Companies

chosen from 20 presenters and judged by the Rice Alliance Life Science Technology Advisory Board, based on the company presentations.

In addition, five other new life science technology companies were pre-selected to present their 10-minute business plan presentation at the forum, and as one of the chosen five, were also named a

Most Promising Life Science Technology Company

.

Rice Alliance Managing Director Brad Burke, announced the winners of the Most Promising Life Science Company awards at the event. “Every year the quality of companies improves. Many of the companies at this year’s event have developed prototypes, obtained proven results and are on their second round of funding. This makes them more appealing to investors, who have also expressed appreciation for the quality of the companies.”

Most Promising Life Science Technology Companies, based on their business plan presentations:

Arcos– Houston, TX - Arcos is commercializing critical care decision support systems in the Health IT space. 

DxUpClose– San Antonio, TX - DxUpClose manufactures a bacterial diagnostic that determines antibiotic resistence.

OmniPort– Houston, TX - OmniPort is developing a glucose meter that integrates all measurement functions into a single one-step device. 

Womens3D– Austin, TX - Womens3D is a developer of automated 3D ultrasound breast imaging equipment and systems.

Xeris Pharmaceuticals– Austin, TX - Xeris has developed a novel formulation and delivery platform for bio-pharmaceuticals.

Top Five Rising Venture Companies based on their company presentations:

TNG Pharmaceuticals– Louisville, KY - Developing a vaccine that neutralizes horn flies for the cattle industry.

Savara– Austin, TX - Developing next generation respiratory therapeutics.

Coltrix Biomedical– Fort Worth, TX - Developing and manufacturing collagen-based biomaterials and devices to improve surgical and wound healing outcomes.

Azaya Therapeutics, Inc.- San Antonio, TX - Making chemotherapy safer and more effective.

MedHab LLC-  Fort Worth, TX - Manufacturing and distributing medical devices.

The Forum was supported by Baker Botts, LLP, MediTech, PKF Texas and Winstead Attorneys with Supporting Organizations Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Technology Center and media sponsors Houston Business Journal and the BusinessMakers Radio Show.

About the Rice Alliance

The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship (Rice Alliance) is Rice University’s nationally-recognized initiative devoted to the support of technology commercialization, entrepreneurship education, and the launch of technology companies.
 
Since inception, the Rice Alliance has assisted in the launch of more than 250 start-ups which have raised more than half-a-billion dollars in early-stage capital. More than 1,000 early-stage companies have presented at the 125+ programs hosted by the Rice Alliance.

Recent recognition:

  - 2011 #14 Best U.S. Graduate Entrepreneurship Program – US News & World Report
  - 2011 National Model MBA Entrepreneurship Program – USASBE
  - 2010 #6 Best U.S. Graduate Entrepreneurship Program – Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine
  - 2009 Outstanding Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership - GCEC
  - 2009 Outstanding Technology Entrepreneurship Program – USASBE
  - 2008 Houston’s Greatest Economic Development Ally – Greater Houston Partnership

More information: www.alliance.rice.eduor 713.348.3443

Media Contact:

Kim Padgett
The Padgett Group
713-590-3771

kim@thepadgettgroup.com

Contact:

Mary Lynn Fernau
Rice Alliance for
Technology & Entrepreneurship
713-348-5374

mlfernau@rice.edu

News Source : Rice Alliance Announces Most Promising Life Science Companies at 2011 Life Science Technology Venture Forum