Rev1 Ventures is an investor startup studio that combines capital and strategic services to help startups scale and corporates innovate. Based in the Midwest, and in a top city for scaling startups, Rev1 aligns innovators and founders with corporate and research partners to access customers and markets, helping entrepreneurs build great companies. With a proven track record of identifying, guiding, and investing in high potential startups, Rev1 helps companies solve real problems for markets in need of real solutions. Rev1 has $100MM+ in capital under management, providing a capital continuum from corporate and community partners, as well as Ohio Third Frontier. Rev1 has been named among the Most Active VCs in the Great Lakes Region for the past three years in a row according to PitchBook. For more information, visit www.rev1ventures.com.

Rev1 Ventures

Nanofiber Solutions

Nanofiber Solutions develops and markets electrospun nanofiber substrates for cell culture and drug development applications in standard multiwell plates or it can be scaled for larger configurations. Historically, general cell culture has been performed on flat, tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) because it is cheap, optically clear, and many cells grow well on it. In reality, however, living organisms are made up of an extracellular matrix (ECM) that presents both aligned physical structure and mechanical support to the cells. Adherent cells are complex, self-sustaining units that require ECM anchorage to proliferate and undergo normal differential function. TCPS lacks this aligned three-dimensional (3-D) component and cells behave very differently on this flat, smooth substrate than they do in true biological settings. Not surprisingly, drugs developed using TCPS as an in vitro substrate experience a >99% failure rate in clinical studies.

Nanofiber Solutions is a cell culture manufacturer that develops 3D nanofiber scaffolds for pharmaceutical developers. Scaffolds are manufactured to mimic cells found within the body in order to provide realistic environments for different types of cells. The company produces complex cell structures for four main applications: regenerative medicine, veterinary medicine, 3D cell cultures, and wound recovery. The company has two different kinds of 3D cell structures, NanoAligned, which mimics specific parts of the body, and NanoECM, which mimics the extracellular matrix found throughout the body.

Novel therapies to reboot cells and organs

Cell & Gene Therapy

Nanofiber Solutions designs and manufactures novel three-dimensional (3D) nanofiber scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix found within the human body. Their proprietary nanofiber technology involves electrospinning polymers to create complex nanofiber structures, providing a realistic environment for cell culture applications. The company offers two main product lines: NanoAligned and NanoECM. NanoAligned consists of aligned polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers, while NanoECM features randomly oriented PCL nanofibers. These products are integrated into standard multi-well cell culture dishes, enabling high-throughput cell culture, cancer research, stem cell studies, and regenerative medicine applications. Nanofiber Solutions' scaffolds are surface plasma treated, sterilized, and ready to use upon arrival, with an indefinite ambient shelf life. In addition to PCL, the company can manufacture scaffolds using various degradable or non-degradable polymers to meet specific requirements. Nanofiber Solutions also offers custom-manufactured scaffolds for large bioreactors and in vivo tissue engineering applications.

Nanofiber Solutions:: 3

Enabling supply of biologically safe tissues and organs using next-gen printing tech

Bioprinting

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 Tenaya Therapeutics is a developer of therapeutics for heart disease. The company develops its therapeutics using precision medicine, gene therapy, and cellular regeneration. Tenaya produces therapeutics that also use proprietary in-vivo and in-vitro models. Additionally, the company has developed in-house adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid engineering capabilities and has screened over one billion variants from more than 30 diverse, proprietary AAV libraries. The company is publicly listed on the Nasdaq and trades under the ticker symbol TNYA.&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
 
 In October 2023 Tenaya Therapeutics (Tenaya) received FDA clearance for the company&rsquo;s investigational new drug application (TN-401) to initiate clinical testing. TN-401 is Tenaya&rsquo;s adeno-associated virus serotype 9-based investigational gene therapy drug candidate for the treatment of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy caused by mutations in the plakophilin-2 gene. 
 
 
 As of May 2024, the company&rsquo;s clinical pipeline included two candidates in Phase I clinical trials, a gene therapeutic for the treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, and a small molecule inhibitor for the treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Additionally, Tenaya had one gene therapy candidate and two genetic medicine candidates in preclinical testing phases, along with five genetic medicine candidates in the discovery stage. 
 
 
 
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Tenaya Therapeutics

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 Sarepta Therapeutics is a gene therapy provider for conditions such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 
 (LGMD), and Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease. The company&rsquo;s therapeutics incorporate technology related to gene therapy, RNA technologies, and gene editing. The company leverages a proprietary phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) platform for the development of its RNA-based therapeutics. As of August 2023, the company had four FDA-approved treatments for DMD: ELEVIDYS, EXONDYS 51, VYONDYS 53, and AMONDYS 45. Sarepta Therapeutics is also listed on the Nasdaq, trading under the symbol SRPT.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 As of May 2024, the company had several RNA, gene, and gene editing therapeutics in various clinical stages. Sarepta had two RNA therapeutics, both for the treatment of DMD, one in clinical testing, and the other in pre-clinical testing. Additionally, the company had six gene therapeutics, one for the treatment of DMD (both in clinical testing), four for the treatment of LGMD (three in clinical testing, one in preclinical testing) and one for multiple targets (in preclinical testing). Also, Sarepta had two gene editing-based therapeutics in development for the treatment of DMD, both in preclinical testing phases. 
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 
 
 Over the years since its founding, Sarepta has partnered with several industry and academic partners. The list includes Dyno Therapeutics, Genethon, Genevant Sciences, Hansa Biopharma, Roche, Columbia University, Harvard University, Translational Laboratory of Murdoch University, University of Florida College of Medicine, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children&rsquo;s Hospital, University of Massachusetts Medical School, and the University of Western Australia.&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 In October 2021, Sarepta and healthcare giant Roche announced they would collaborate on carrying out a clinical study of Sarepta&rsquo;s therapeutic candidate SRP-9001 for the treatment of DMD.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 Sarepta and pharmaceutical company Catalent announced that in January 2023, the companies were signing a commercial supply agreement. Through the agreement,&nbsp; Catalent would manufacture Sarepta&rsquo;s gene therapeutic for the treatment of DMD; delandistrogene moxeparvovec (SRP-9001).
 
 
 
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Sarepta Therapeutics

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 Mesoblast is a cell therapy manufacturer that provides therapeutics for oncology, cardiovascular, orthopedic, hematology, immunity, and inflammation-related conditions. The company is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and trades under the ticker symbol &ldquo;MSB.&rdquo; Mesoblast develops therapeutics using its proprietary mesenchymal lineage cell technology platform, which is used to produce cryopreserved, off-the-shelf, and cellular-based solutions. The company also incorporates 3D bioreactor technology and automation into its production process to produce higher yields.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 As of May 2024, the company had five candidates that are in various stages of clinical testing. Mesoblast&rsquo;s steroid-refractory candidate for Acute Graft Versus Host Disease is currently in late-stage Phase III clinical testing and is the closest candidate to commercialization. The company&rsquo;s drug candidates for acute respiratory distress syndrome, chronic low back pain, and chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction are also in Phase III clinical testing while its candidate for inflammatory bowel disease is in Phase II of clinical testing.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 
 
 The company has secured several agreements with international companies with regard to development and commercialization of Mesoblast&rsquo;s candidates, including Gr&uuml;nenthal GmBH, JCR Pharmaceuticals, Tasly Pharmaceutical Group, TiGenix NV, and the Lonza Group.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 Additionally, in April 2020, Mesoblast partnered with The US NIH&rsquo;s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to conduct testing of its allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) product candidate, &ldquo;remestemcel-L.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 
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Mesoblast

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 Ocugen is a gene therapy manufacturer that develops vaccine, cell, and gene-based therapeutics for infectious, eye, and orthopedic diseases. Its cell therapy includes a three dimensional tissue-engineered cartilage disk through the growth of chondrocytes &ndash; the cells responsible for maintaining cartilage health. Its gene therapy solution consists of creating a copy of the patient&rsquo;s gene in order to replace mutated/damaged genes. The company is publicly listed on the Nasdaq, and trades under the symbol &lsquo;OCGN&rsquo;.&nbsp;
 
 
 As of May 2024, the company had five therapeutic solutions being clinically tested. The company was developing four gene therapies for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, geographic atrophy, and orphan disease. Its treatment candidate for retinitis pigmentosa was in Phase III of clinical study, while its other gene therapies were in Phase I/II. 
 Ocugen was also developing a biological material, in the IND stage, for diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, and wet age-related macular degeneration. The company's cell therapy for the treatment of articular cartilage defects in the knee was in Phase III of clinical study. Finally, the company was also developing three vaccines, all in IND stages, for prevention of diseases caused by the flu, Covid-19, and a combination of the flu and Covid-19.
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 Ocugen partnered with biopharmaceutical manufacturer Jubilant HollisterStier of Spokane in June 2021 to manufacture its Covid-19 therapeutic COVAXIN. Through the partnership, Jubilant would be the potential commercial manufacturer of Ocugen&rsquo;s vaccine for the US and Canadian markets.
 
 
 
 
 
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Ocugen

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 MeiraGTx is a developer of gene therapies that aim to treat ocular diseases and problems, neurodegenerative disorders, and salivary gland and autoimmune disorders. MeriaGTx is also developing riboswitch-inducible expression programs for the treatment of inherited obesity and Wilson disease, along with producing small-molecule riboswitch inducers. The company is listed on the Nasdaq and trades under the symbol MGTX.&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
 
 As of May 2024, the company had four gene-based therapeutic candidates in Phase II of their clinical trials for the treatment of (1) xerostomia, Parkinson's Disease, and RPE65-Associated retinal dystrophy and (2) achromatopsia. The company also had one therapeutic being developed to treat Sjogren&rsquo;s Syndrome that was in Phase I/II of its clinical trials. Additionally, MeiraGTx had seven other therapeutics in discovery/preclinical stages. The company was also developing a therapeutic for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa in collaboration with Janssen, which was in Phase III of clinical trials. 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 MeiraGTx partnered with the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) in November 2022 to influence risk agendas, raise awareness, the standards of risk, and safety management across the industry.&nbsp;
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 Meira last raised funds in October 2023, when the company secured a strategic investment of USD 30 million from Sanofi. As part of the transaction, Sanofi was granted the right of first negotiation for MeiraGTx's gene regulation technology in certain targets.&nbsp;
 
 
 
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MeiraGTx

Companies producing cells, genes, tissues, and biomaterials such as exosomes and extracellular matrix for drug developers and pharmaceutical companies developing regenerative medicine

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy involves genetically engineering T cells to target and kill cancer cells

Companies conducting R&D on therapies that modify or introduce new genes into the body to treat diseases

Includes therapies that use cells (other than CAR-T and stem cells) such as Adipose-Derived Regenerative Cells (ADRCs), cardiosphere-derived cells, and gamma delta T cells (GDT cells)

Stem cell therapy involves using stem cells usually extracted from the bone marrow and umbilical cord blood to repair a variety of diseases

Startups in the hub consider individual patient profiles, involving variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle

Genomics helps understand the genetic information stored in the DNA to develop targeted treatments

Nanofiber Solutions designs and manufactures novel three-dimensional (3D) nanofiber scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix found within the human body. Their proprietary nanofiber technology involves electrospinning polymers to create complex nanofiber structures, providing a realistic environment for cell culture applications. The company offers two main product lines: NanoAligned and NanoECM. NanoAligned consists of aligned polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers, while NanoECM features randomly oriented PCL nanofibers. These products are integrated into standard multi-well cell culture dishes, enabling high-throughput cell culture, cancer research, stem cell studies, and regenerative medicine applications. Nanofiber Solutions' scaffolds are surface plasma treated, sterilized, and ready to use upon arrival, with an indefinite ambient shelf life. In addition to PCL, the company can manufacture scaffolds using various degradable or non-degradable polymers to meet specific requirements. Nanofiber Solutions also offers custom-manufactured scaffolds for large bioreactors and in vivo tissue engineering applications.

3D Bioprinting Solutions is a Russian biotechnology research laboratory focused on developing and commercializing bioprinting technologies. The company was founded by INVITRO, the largest private medical company in Russia, and officially opened its 3D Bioprinting Solutions laboratory in September 2013. Its core activities involve the development and production of bioprinters, bioinks, and biofabrication technologies for regenerative medicine and drug discovery applications.
One of the company's key products is the FABION bioprinter, capable of bioprinting without the need for organic or artificial scaffolds using a proprietary nanotechnology approach. In 2016, 3D Bioprinting Solutions launched the FABION 2, an advanced bioprinter that can print complex structures using tissue spheroids and a wide range of hydrogels with different polymerization mechanisms. The FABION two features a unique laser positioning system with an accuracy of five micrometers, enabling the printing of highly intricate structures.
In 2018, the company delivered its Organ.Aut magnetic 3D bioprinter to the International Space Station (ISS) for conducting experiments in microgravity conditions. The Organ.Aut successfully bioprinted a mouse's thyroid gland in space in December 2018, marking the first instance of living tissue being printed in outer space. In August 2019, the company bioprinted bone tissue aboard the ISS using the Organ.Aut.
3D Bioprinting Solutions has actively pursued collaborations with research institutions and commercial entities worldwide. In April 2019, the company announced plans to collaborate with laboratories from the US and Israel to deliver muscular tissue biomaterials to the ISS for bioprinting experiments using the Organ.Aut bioprinter.

3D Bioprinting Solutions

A.D.A.M. Bioprinting is a company developing an on-demand 3D bioprinting platform for manufacturing personalized implants. Their core technology, a Medical Device Production System, enables medical professionals to complete the entire process of 3D modeling, printing, and sterilization to create customized implants ready for implantation.
The company's initial focus is on producing orthopaedic bone implants for cranial, maxillofacial, general trauma, and orthopaedic oncology surgeries. However, A.D.A.M. Bioprinting plans to expand its offerings to include printed soft tissues in the future.
Founded in 2018, A.D.A.M. Bioprinting has its roots in Ukrainian aerospace and biotech engineering. The company operates with a research and development office in Ukraine, while its US-based entity holds intellectual property and handles business development and marketing functions.
In May 2022, A.D.A.M. Bioprinting was accepted into Elementa Labs, the virtual incubator program of the Mount Sinai Health System in New York. This program aims to optimize, expand, and advance the company's core technology platform, potentially leading to its commercialization in the US market.

A.D.A.M.

Advanced BioMatrix, a San Diego-based biotechnology company, develops advanced biomaterials and reagents for 3D cell culture applications, including cell cultivation, cell assays, bioprinting, and cell proliferation. The company's products have been utilized in groundbreaking research for drug development and 3D bioprinted tissue models, with over 5,000 citations in scientific publications as of September 2021. Advanced BioMatrix's offerings include hydrogels that mimic the extracellular matrix, facilitating cellular attachment, survival, and compatibility with various tissue types.
In September 2021, Advanced BioMatrix was acquired by BICO Group AB, a Swedish bioconvergence company focused on enhancing biology research, for approximately USD 15 million. Following the acquisition, Advanced BioMatrix became a subsidiary of CELLINK Bioprinting, operating under the BICO Group. The company generated approximately USD 3 million in revenue with an adjusted EBITDA margin of around 50% in its latest fiscal year prior to the acquisition.
Key customers and partnerships
Advanced BioMatrix has established collaborations with research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, and life science organizations worldwide. In June 2022, the company expanded its existing partnership with Lineage Cell Therapeutics for Lineage's HyStem cell/drug delivery technology, broadening its focus on manufacturing and supplying research-grade HyStem to the research community and developing clinical/commercial-grade material for Lineage's customers.
In August 2023, Advanced BioMatrix signed a distribution agreement with InSphero AG, a pioneer in 3D cell culture and organ-on-chip technology, to make InSphero's patented Akura Plate Technology available to researchers in the US market. This collaboration aims to expand the application range for scientists and drug developers by combining Advanced BioMatrix's biomaterials with InSphero's Akura Plates for scaffold-based organoid and spheroid cultures.

Advanced Biomatrix

Advanced Solutions Life Sciences, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Advanced Solutions, Inc., is a global leader in 3D biofabrication, headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The company pioneered the BioAssemblyBot, the world's first 6-axis robotic human tissue printer capable of systematically reproducing organoids. Their patented 3D printed blood vessel technology, derived from human fat tissue, empowers customers to advance the science of 3D organ printing. Advanced Solutions Life Sciences offers expertise in regenerative medicine, bioinks, 3D tissue assays for drug discovery and testing, 3D tissue modeling, and 3D printing services.
In May 2018, the company expanded its operations by opening a second biofabrication facility and laboratory in Manchester, New Hampshire. This strategic expansion aimed to contribute to curative organ printing solutions and establish the company as a prominent corporate citizen in Manchester.
In January 2023, Advanced Solutions Life Sciences partnered with Molecular Devices, a bioscience company, to develop 3D biology automation solutions. They jointly developed the BioAssemblyBot 400 (BAB 400) for Drug Discovery, integrating Advanced Solutions' bioprinting platform with Molecular Devices' ImageXpress Cellular Imaging System. This automated platform enables consistent, large-scale production of organoid models, enhancing drug discovery research.

Advanced Solutions Life Sciences

Allegro 3D is a bioprinting company specializing in high-throughput and high-precision 3D printing technology for fabricating tissue models at an industrial scale. The company was acquired by BICO, a Swedish bioconvergence company, in May 2022 for an upfront enterprise value of USD 6 million. Allegro 3D's patented light-based digital light processing (DLP) bioprinting technology enables direct printing into multi-well plates, allowing customers to significantly increase their output of biofabricated constructs for applications in regenerative medicine and drug discovery workflows. The company's flagship product, the STEMAKER Model D, utilizes extrusion-based bioprinting to produce bio/organic parts using liquid feedstock. As of 2022, Allegro 3D was expected to generate approximately USD 1 million in revenue with positive EBITDA margins. The acquisition complements BICO's existing portfolio of bioprinters and strengthens its position as a global leader in providing bioprinting solutions.

Allegro 3D

Developing and selling bioprinter devices that can be used by hospitals, research institutes, and other organizations seeking to print biological substitutes and materials.

Companies that use propietary or third-party printers to produce and sell bioprinted tissues, including impants, organ replacement, and other types of tissues.

Companies that are developing materials and bioinks, that can be used in bioprinting devices. This includes material technologies and nanofibers.

Developing software solutions and applications for designing and managing the bioprinting production process.

3D printing enables bioprinting devices, which rely on a similar design and operating model

Startups in this hub are able to customize the bioprinted models to suit each patient

AI/ML is used in the design and optimization of 3D models that can be bioprinted

Nanofiber Solutions

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