Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation

Transforming neurological care with innovation

Neurostimulation Tech

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. is a medical technology company that specializes in developing minimally invasive solutions for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Its flagship product, the Inspire system, is a proprietary neurostimulation technology approved by the FDA to treat moderate to severe OSA. The Inspire device is implanted surgically and controlled by the patient with a remote. It works by delivering mild stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve, gently moving the tongue forward and keeping the airway open during sleep.
As of December 2023, Inspire Medical Systems had treated over 60,000 patients with its Inspire therapy. The company reported revenue of USD 624.8 million for the full year 2023, representing a 53% increase over the previous year. In the first quarter of 2024, Inspire's revenue grew by 28% year-over-year, reaching USD 164 million, driven by increased market penetration, expansion into new territories, and greater awareness of its therapy among physicians and patients.
In June 2023, the FDA granted Inspire an expanded indication, increasing the upper limit of the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) to 100 events per hour from 65 and raising the body mass index (BMI) warning in the labeling to 40 from 32. This expansion allows Inspire to treat patients with more severe OSA who previously had limited treatment options.
By the end of the first quarter of 2024, Inspire had 1,246 US medical centers providing its therapy and operated in 298 US sales territories. The company plans to continue its rapid expansion, projecting the activation of 52 to 56 new US centers and the addition of 12 to 14 new US sales territories per quarter for the remainder of 2024.

eNeura is a pioneering company dedicated to providing innovative therapeutic solutions for individuals suffering from chronic migraine headaches. Their flagship product, SAVI Dual, is a handheld device that utilizes non-invasive single-pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (sTMS) technology to effectively treat and prevent migraine attacks. This portable and user-friendly device generates a magnetic pulse that modulates electrical signaling in the brain, offering a safe and drug-free alternative to traditional migraine treatments.
In April 2024, eNeura achieved record-breaking sales, experiencing its highest monthly revenue to date. This remarkable surge in demand not only underscores the efficacy of SAVI Dual but also accelerates eNeura's pathway to profitability, enabling faster scaling of their manufacturing capabilities to meet the overwhelming demand.
Furthermore, eNeura announced a Notice of Allowance for a new patent on Prophylactic Treatment of Migraine Headache in April 2024. This patent extends the intellectual property protection for SAVI Dual for an additional 17 years, solidifying eNeura's position as a leader in the migraine treatment landscape.
Notably, eNeura has integrated a wireless Digital Therapeutic platform into the SAVI product, facilitated by F3 Wireless. This platform allows real-world data sharing among patients, physicians, and insurance companies, enabling accurate monitoring of therapeutic benefits and treatment compliance.

Nevro Corp. is a global medical device company headquartered in Redwood City, California. The company focuses on delivering comprehensive solutions for the treatment of chronic pain. Its primary offering is the Senza spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, an evidence-based neuromodulation platform that utilizes proprietary 10 kHz Therapy. This therapy enables patients to achieve sustained pain relief without paresthesia, the uncomfortable shocking or jolting sensations associated with traditional SCS systems.
In 2015, Nevro received FDA approval for the Senza SCS System to deliver all available SCS frequencies and waveform types. The company's Senza, Senza II, and Senza Omnia are the only SCS systems capable of delivering the proprietary 10 kHz Therapy. As of January 2022, Nevro's solutions have impacted the lives of over 80,000 patients globally.
Nevro's comprehensive HFX product platform includes the Senza SCS system and support services for treating chronic trunk, limb pain, and painful diabetic neuropathy. In July 2021, the company's landmark SENZA-PDN randomized controlled trial led to FDA approval of the HFX system with a specific indication for treating painful diabetic neuropathy, a first for any SCS system.
In October 2022, Nevro received FDA approval for its new manufacturing facility in Costa Rica's Coyol Free Trade Zone. This global operation aims to ensure greater controls, efficiency, and flexible capacity while maintaining the highest quality standards as the company scales production.

CVRx is a commercial-stage medical device company focused on developing, manufacturing, and commercializing the Barostim, an innovative neuromodulation device for treating heart failure symptoms. The Barostim is an implantable device that delivers electrical pulses to baroreceptors in the carotid artery, designed to restore balance to the autonomic nervous system, reducing heart failure symptoms. Barostim received FDA approval in 2019 and the CE Mark for heart failure and resistant hypertension in the European Economic Area.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, CVRx reported total revenues of USD 10.5 million, a 70% increase over the prior year quarter. For the full year 2023, revenues grew by 72% to USD 22.5 million compared to 2022. The company estimates the US annual market opportunity for Barostim to be USD 2.2 billion, or 76,000 new patients, as of December 2023. In February 2024, CVRx appointed Kevin Hykes, previously CEO of Augmedics, as its new CEO, succeeding the retiring Nadim Yared.

Cala Health is a bioelectronic medicine company that has developed the Cala kIQ system, a wearable neuromodulation device that delivers transcutaneous afferent patterned stimulation (TAPS) therapy for the relief of hand tremors in adults with essential tremor and Parkinson's disease. The Cala kIQ system comprises a stimulator, a band with integrated electrodes, and a base station. It utilizes a calibrated TAPS output pattern adjusted to match the patient's unique tremor frequency, providing personalized stimulation to the median and radial nerves of the wrist.
The Cala kIQ system received 510k clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2022 and was launched for human use in June 2023. The device offers treatment sessions of 40 minutes, with a wristband life of 90 days and a shelf life of three months. Patients can review their therapy session results through the MyCala.com patient portal and share them with healthcare providers.
Cala Health has reported positive clinical data demonstrating the effectiveness of TAPS therapy in reducing tremors and improving activities of daily living for essential tremor patients. The company has secured reimbursement and coding from various commercial and government payors, including Medicare, to improve patient access to the therapy.

Membership-based, non-insurance healthcare companies helping maintain a steady state of well being.

Preventive Healthcare

Cala Health develops wearable devices that deliver neuromodulation therapies using electrical nerve stimulation. The company claims its FDA-approved Cala Trio is the first non-invasive prescription therapy proven to reduce essential tremors.Its flagship product, the Cala kIQ System, launched in June 2023, uses Transcutaneous Afferent Patterned Stimulation (TAPS) therapy to combat tremors in people with essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. The device's features include the ability to create individualized stimulation patterns based on the patient's tremor patterns, ease of use as a wrist-worn wearable, and the provision of online data insights via the MyCala.com patient portal that can be shared with healthcare providers.Key customers and partnershipsThe company’s key partners include the University of California, San Francisco to develop next-generation, smart neuromodulation therapies (in June 2021) and SK Biopharmaceuticals to explore new indications in neurology (May 2022).Funding and financialsIn November 2021, Cala Health raised USD 77 million in funding to expand patient access, expedite innovation, and accelerate partnerships with the payers. The proceeds were also used to enhance its product pipeline by adding further neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease as well as psychiatry, cardiology, and autoimmune disease therapies.

Leveraging personal data for custom-fit diagnosis and treatment

Precision Medicine

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 GRAIL is a biotechnology company that develops tests for early cancer detection using next-generation sequencing technology, population-scale clinical studies, and data science. Its lead product Galleri is a multi-cancer early detection blood test launched in June 2021. The company is also developing a diagnostic aid for cancer (DAC) designed to provide a fast diagnostic result for suspected cancer patients. Additionally, it is working on an early-stage blood-based test for cancer recurrence monitoring and minimal residual disease (MRD)&mdash;a small number of cancer cells left in the body after treatment. GRAIL&rsquo;s DAC test will launch as a laboratory test in 2H 2022.
 
 
 
 
 The Galleri test can detect more than 50 types of cancer across all stages from a single blood draw. It does this by detecting fragments of DNA in a blood sample to identify DNA methylation (distinct patterns associated with particular cancers), potentially providing information on where the disease originated. The Galleri test could increase cancer detection threefold, as other tests in the market can only screen for five types of cancer. The test costs USD 950 out-of-pocket and was available in the US by prescription as a laboratory-developed test for use in asymptomatic patients over 50 years.&nbsp;
 
 
 In November 2023, GRAIL initiated a study on the impact of its Galleri multi-cancer early detection test, specifically for Medicare beneficiaries from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds in underserved communities. Medicare was expected to cover the cost of the test and associated services for participants in the study.
 
 
 Key partnerships and customers
 
 
 
 
 The company collaborates with health systems and academic medical centers to conduct clinical studies on its products, including Cleveland Clinic, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Intermountain Healthcare, Mayo Clinic, and Sutter Health. 
 <a href="https://grail.com/press-releases/grail-announces-collaborations-with-amgen-astrazeneca-and-bristol-myers-squibb-to-evaluate-cancer-early-detection-technology-for-minimal-residual-disease/">
 In January 2021
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 , GRAIL announced collaborations with global biopharmaceutical companies Amgen, AstraZeneca, and Bristol Myers Squibb to evaluate GRAIL&rsquo;s methylation-based technology for the detection of MRD. In January 2022, the company partnered with 
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 PINC AI
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 , the technology and services platform of healthcare improvement group Premier Inc., to identify patients that may benefit from using Galleri.
 
 
 
 
 In October 2022 the company partnered with digital health company 
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 Carrum Health
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 to include its Galleri test in Carrum&rsquo;s oncology offering to self-insured employers. 
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 In August 2023
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 it collaborated with non-profits Whitman-Walker Institute and Cancer Support Community (CSC) on a study aimed at advancing health equity in cancer screening and care using. .
 
 
 
 
 Funding and Financials
 
 
 
 
 GRAIL was founded by genetic testing company Illumina and later spun out as an independent company in 2016 for fundraising purposes. In August 2021, Illumina finalized the takeover of GRAIL for a total consideration of USD 8 billion. After a year-long review by antitrust regulators in the US and EU, a ruling in favor of Illumina was announced in September 2022, while the EU blocked the acquisition because it could lead to anticompetitive practices.In response to the decision, Illumina was exploring possibilities of divesting GRAIL and appealing the decision.
 
 
 
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Pushing the envelope in MedTech with emerging technologies

Next-gen Medical Devices

Prana Thoracic, a medical device startup based in Houston, is dedicated to developing solutions for early intervention in lung cancer. The company is working on the ThoraCore System, a minimally invasive, lung-sparing device designed for the excision of targeted lung tissue. This electrosurgical instrument utilizes a specialized anchor to target lung nodules under computed tomography guidance, employing bipolar radiofrequency to seal the incision and minimize bleeding and air leaks.
The ThoraCore System aims to address the limitations of current lung cancer screening methods, which often fail to provide definitive diagnoses. Needle biopsies are ineffective for smaller nodules, while invasive surgeries carry significant risks and complications. By enabling minimally invasive tissue extraction, ThoraCore promises to facilitate earlier and more accurate diagnoses, leading to improved treatment outcomes for lung cancer patients.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US, accounting for nearly 25% of all cancer deaths. While over 14 million patients are eligible for lung cancer screening annually, less than 5% undergo the procedure. Prana Thoracic's technology aims to bridge this gap, providing physicians with a tool to intervene earlier in the patient's journey.
In March 2023, Prana Thoracic announced the closing of a USD 3 million Series A financing round led by New World Angels, joined by Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Texas Medical Center Venture Fund, and the University City Science Center's Phase one Ventures. Additionally, the company received a USD 3 million award from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) in August 2022. These funds will support the development of ThoraCore and the company's first-in-human clinical studies.

Redefining hospital care with the comfort of home

Hospital-at-Home

Binx Health is a healthcare technology and diagnostics company focused on expanding access to convenient and equitable healthcare through innovative testing solutions. The company's primary offering is the Binx io, an FDA-cleared, CLIA-waived point-of-care molecular platform for rapid diagnosis of chlamydia and gonorrhea. This system can deliver results in about 30 minutes, enabling same-visit diagnosis and treatment in various clinical settings such as doctors' offices, urgent care clinics, and hospital emergency rooms. The Binx io platform is designed to be highly flexible and easy to use, collapsing the time between testing and treatment while the patient is still in the clinic.
In addition to its point-of-care testing, Binx Health previously operated a consumer testing business that provided at-home testing services for various health conditions. However, in December 2023, this division was sold to Imaware, allowing Binx to focus solely on its point-of-care offerings. The company's technology aims to address the growing epidemic of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by providing rapid, accurate testing that can lead to immediate treatment and potentially reduce infection spread.
Binx Health has established partnerships with major medical device distributors, including Cardinal Health, Fisher healthcare, McKesson, and Medline, to broaden its market reach. The company has also worked with state governments, including North Carolina and Maryland, to provide Covid-19 testing solutions during the pandemic. As of April 2024, Binx Health secured USD 65 million in series F financing to support its commercial growth and manufacturing scale. The company is actively expanding its testing capabilities, with plans to develop point-of-care diagnosis for trichomoniasis in the future.

Bridging the gap between the human brain and computer

Brain-computer Interfaces

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 NeuroPace is a commercial-stage medical device company focused on transforming the lives of people living with epilepsy. The company's flagship product is the RNS System, a brain-responsive neuromodulation system designed to treat drug-resistant focal epilepsy. The RNS System is the only FDA-approved brain-responsive neuromodulation system that delivers personalized, targeted treatment at the seizure source. It works by continuously monitoring brain activity, recognizing a patient's unique seizure pattern, and responding in real-time with imperceptible stimulation to prevent seizures before clinical symptoms occur.
 
 
 
 
 The RNS System consists of a small, implantable neurostimulator connected to leads that are placed in up to two seizure onset areas. It is currently approved in the US as an adjunctive therapy for patients 18 years of age and older with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Long-term clinical studies have demonstrated that the RNS System provides significant reduction in seizure frequency and enduring improvements in quality of life and cognition with no stimulation-related side effects.
 
 
 
 
 In 2023, NeuroPace reported total revenue of USD 65.4 million, representing a 44% increase compared to 2022. The company's growth strategy includes expanding market usage of the RNS System, increasing adoption across clinicians, and expanding therapy utilization by current prescribers. NeuroPace is also working on expanding access to RNS therapy through its Project CARE program, which aims to provide treatment to patients outside of Level 4 comprehensive epilepsy centers.
 
 
 
 
 NeuroPace is currently conducting the NAUTILUS pivotal study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the RNS System in individuals aged 12 and older with drug-resistant idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). This study could potentially expand the approved indications for the RNS System to include generalized epilepsy, for which there are currently no neuromodulation products indicated in the US.
 
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Houston-based medical device startup Prana Thoracic, Inc. is dedicated to developing solutions for early intervention in lung cancer. We are an experienced team of surgeons, engineers and entrepreneurs on a mission to tackle lung cancer; the #1 cancer killer in the US. The paradigm of screening, detection, and early intervention that has been deployed in other major cancers has so far eluded lung cancer. As a result, only 16% of lung cancers are found at an early stage and the current 5-year survival rate is < 20%. Recent changes to lung cancer screening guidelines have illuminated a path to improving outcomes in lung cancer. However, these advances rely on excising suspicious nodules and providing sufficient tissue for definitive diagnosis. We believe this is the missing piece of the puzzle, and physicians need a new generation of surgical oncology tools for lung cancer. Prana Thoracic plans to revolutionize the early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer by making it easier and less invasive to deal with the rapidly growing number of early suspicious lung nodules; ensuring that we do not miss the window of opportunity to intervene early.

Osteal Therapeutics is a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company developing novel drug and device combination products for treating musculoskeletal infection.

Binx Health is committed to broadening convenient and equitable access to healthcare. The company's point-of-care diagnostic solutions empower its partners to overcome traditional barriers to care, extend their outreach, and deliver exceptional patient experiences. The binx io point-of-care molecular platform marks a significant milestone as the first FDA-cleared, CLIA-waived system for detecting chlamydia and gonorrhea in both males (urine) and females (vaginal swabs). It delivers results comparable to those of central lab performance, typically within about thirty minutes.

CVRx is a medical device company that develops implantable technology for the treatment of high blood pressure. Its products include Rheos implantable pulse generator that provides control and delivery of the activation energy; and Rheos carotid sinus leads, which conducts activation energy from the Rheos implantable pulse generator to the left and right carotid arteries.  The company also offers a Rheos programmer system that communicates with the Rheos pulse generator. CVRx was founded in 2001 and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Grail develops a pan-cancer screening test designed to detect cancers at an early stage. Its pan-cancer screening test measures circulating nucleic acids in blood using high-intensity sequencing, population-scale clinical trials, enabling doctors to develop blood tests for early-stage cancer detection. The company was founded in 2016 by Alex Aravanis and Jeff Huber in Menlo Park, California.

Fusion Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. It is a spinout of the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC), a leading radiopharmaceutical research and GMP production center. Fusion’s deep radiochemistry expertise presents a technology platform that can be replicated to turn internalizing antibodies that have previously demonstrated limited clinical efficacy into highly effective cytotoxic drugs. Fusion’s ability to link effective isotopes to the targeting antibody allows for the creation of optimized agents for both diagnostic imaging and radioimmunotherapy (Precision Medicine). Following positive tumor identification with the imaging agent, treatment with the antibody linked to a therapeutic isotope delivers a cytotoxic payload into the cancer cell. Fusion’s lead product candidate, FPX-01, is a precision RIT that is a product of this innovative approach. FPX-01 has been designed to internalize targeted cancer cells and deliver a lethal and highly localized radioactive payload. The precise targeting of this radiolabeled antibody causes selective and extremely effective cytotoxicity of tumor cells at relatively low doses of radioactivity.

ReVision Optics, Inc. designs, manufactures, and delivers implantable products for the treatment of presbyopia. It offers PRESBYLENS Corneal Inlay, a refractive surgery solution to correct vision lost by the natural aging process called presbyopia. The company serves the ophthalmology professionals. ReVision Optics, Inc. was formerly known as IntraLens Vision, Inc. and changed its name to ReVision Optics, Inc. in 2005. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Lake Forest, California.

Cala Health is a bioelectronic medicine company transforming the standard of care for chronic disease. The company’s wearable neuromodulation therapies merge innovations in neuroscience and technology to deliver individualized peripheral nerve stimulation, and its vertically integrated commercial model is reshaping the delivery of prescription therapies. Cala Health’s lead product, Cala Trio™ therapy, is the only non-invasive prescription therapy for essential tremor. New therapies are under development in Parkinson’s disease and other indications in neurology, as well as targets in psychiatry, cardiology, and autoimmune disorders. The company is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area and backed by leading investors in both healthcare and technology.

PhaseBio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to developing new and improved drugs, with an initial focus on endocrine and metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease. The company uses its proprietary recombinant biopolymers called elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) to improve the stability, bioavailability, activity, and ease of administration of proteins and peptides, with the goal of achieving greater potency, fewer side effects, and better patient compliance. Efficient production in E. coli ensures a low cost of goods. PhaseBio’s lead drug candidate, PB1023, is currently being evaluated in a phase 2b clinical trial for the treatment of hyperglycemia associated with type 2 diabetes, with potential for future use in the treatment of obesity. Our second drug candidate, Vasomera, is currently being evaluated in phase 1 clinical trial and has exciting potential for use in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and heart failure. Its third program, Insumera, basal insulin based on native human insulin, will enter clinical trials in early 2013. PhaseBio is based in Malvern, Pennsylvania.

Willow is a female technology company that develops an in-bra wearable breast pump, replacement parts, breastfeeding essentials, pumping bras, cases and bags, breastfeeding essentials, and more.

Padlock is developing medicines targeting protein-arginine deiminases (PADs), enzymes with an important role in the generation of autoantigens, inflammation, and immune complexes in autoimmune diseases. Padlock intends to explore the full biological and therapeutic footprint of protein deimination by PADs. Padlock was founded by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute and members of the Atlas Venture Life Sciences Team. Padlock's investors include Atlas Venture, Johnson & Johnson, and MS Ventures. Padlock is a seed company operating out of the Atlas Venture office in Cambridge MA.

La Lumière is an innovative skincare device company that aims to democratize advanced skincare technologies for home use. It has developed a proprietary line of light based phototherapy devices for the personal care market under the brand illuMask. La Lumière brings together a team with deep expertise in product development, manufacturing, and health and beauty care marketing, and the company also includes prominent dermatologists and plastic surgeons as advisors.

Inivata is a clinical cancer genomics company harnessing the emerging potential of circulating DNA analysis to improve testing and treatment for oncologists and their patients. Unlike conventional invasive biopsies, Inivata detects and analyses genomic material from a cancer patient’s cell-free, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) which can be collected through a simple blood sample. This non-invasive approach – a liquid biopsy – offers a revolution in how cancer is detected, monitored, and treated.

Biocartis SA, a molecular diagnostics company, develops diagnostics technology platform for multiplexed detection of bio-analytes. It focuses on integrated molecular and immunodiagnostics based on its proprietary micro-technology platform. The company develops and licenses a series of technologies to build a diagnostics platform for multiplexed detection, quantification, and amplification of bio-analytes, including proteins, nucleic acids, and small molecules. Its products are used for various applications, including analysis of bio-molecules associated with risks factors, early detection, staging, treatment selection, and monitoring of a disease. Biocartis SA was founded in 2007 and is based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Navitor Pharmaceuticals is a developer of novel medicines designed to target specific nutrient-sensing proteins that selectively regulate mTORC1 activity to treat diseases. The company's medicines selectively modulate the activity of mTORC1, a master regulator of cell growth and metabolism, and unlock the therapeutic potential of the mTOR pathway by targeting the amino acid and other nutrient sensors that selectively regulate the activity of mTORC1, enabling healthcare practitioners to address a wide range of metabolic, neurodegenerative, autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases. It was founded in 2009 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Aduro Biotech is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapies that are designed to harness the body's natural immune system for the treatment of patients with challenging diseases.It was founded in 2000 and headquartered in Berkeley, California.

Rodin Therapeutics, a biotechnology company applying insights of epigenetics to novel therapeutics for neurological disorders, announced its founding by Atlas Venture and Proteros biostructures.  Rodin is founded based on its insight into key epigenetic modulators of CNS function, privileged access to Proteros' best-in-class structural biology capabilities, and a team with deep CNS drug development and company formation experience. Rodin secured financing from Atlas Venture and Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (JJDC).

Inspire Medical Systems is a developer of innovative, implantable neurostimulation technologies to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Utilizing well-established technologies from the fields of cardiac pacing and neurostimulation, Inspire has developed a proprietary Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) therapy for patients who suffer from OSA.

Thesan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a preclinical biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of novel therapeutics for disorders of the skin. Until recently, there has been comparatively limited innovation in the field of dermatology, where many companies have focused on the reformulation of existing drugs often resulting in marginal patient benefit. In contrast, Thesan is focused on the discovery and development of New Chemical Entities that have the potential to provide significantly improved treatment options to patients.

PowerVision is a private company focused on developing a novel accommodating intraocular lens, which is designed to restore True AccommodationTM. Their innovative FluidVisionTM accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) is poised to help individuals affected by presbyopia and/or cataracts regain the ability to dynamically adjust focus for clear vision at all distances. Fifty years ago, vision correction surgery was changed forever by the invention of the intraocular lens, which is used to treat a cataract – a clouding and hardening of the dime-sized, normally clear, crystalline lens inside your eye which can rob you of your vision in your 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. PowerVision set out to dramatically improve vision correction surgery again. They began the development of their FluidVision IOL, which mimics the way a healthy eye works and can restore clear vision at all distances, near, far, and everywhere in between.   It uses a tiny amount of fluid inside the lens and natural eye muscles to change shape and adjust focus just the way your healthy eye does. For the more than 20 million people with cataracts in the U.S. and, ultimately, the more than 90 million with Presbyopia – the loss of ability to focus up close that affects people in their 40’s and 50’s – the FluidVision lens can potentially give them freedom from ever needing glasses, contacts or any vision correction procedure again.

TopiVert is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation, Narrow Spectrum Kinase Inhibitors (NSKIs) as novel, non-systemic medicines for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the eye. The lead GI programme TOP1288 is currently in a Phase IIa proof of concept study in ulcerative colitis. A Phase I/II study with TOP1630 for dry eye syndrome will commence in the US in early 2017.

Pulmocide Ltd, a company focused on the discovery and development of a new generation of inhaled medicines for the treatment of serious viral and fungal infections of the respiratory tract.

Merus B.V., a biomedical company, engages in the discovery and development of antibody-based biopharmaceuticals. It develops Oligoclonics technology that offers a class of human antibodies called Oligoclonics. Oligoclonics is a concept whereby a mixture of various human therapeutic antibodies, directed to a common antigen are produced from a single cell clone.

ViaCyte is a preclinical therapeutic company specializing in regenerative medicine therapies for diabetes. Their therapy is based on the differentiation of stem cells into pancreatic beta-cell precursors, with subcutaneous implantation in an encapsulation device.  Data in their publications demonstrate that these cells can produce therapeutically relevant levels of insulin in response to blood glucose, and sustain diabetic animals. Their goal is a product which can free both Type 1 and Type 2 patients with diabetes from insulin dependence on a long-term basis, while reducing or eliminating hypoglycemic, microvasculature, and weight-related cardiovascular complications.

NeuroPace designs develops, manufactures, and markets implantable devices for the treatment of neurological disorders. It offers a responsive Neurostimulator system (RNS) for the treatment of medically refractory partial epilepsy. The company's RNS system consists of implantable components, including RNS neurostimulator that delivers a short train of electrical pulses to the brain, and depth leads and cortical strip leads; and external products, such as the programmer, a laptop computer with proprietary software that has a wand and telemetry interface enabling communication with an implanted RNS neurostimulator.  NeuroPace was incorporated in 1997 and is based in Mountain View, California.

Vedanta Biosciences is a developer of immunotherapies designed to treat immune-mediated and infectious diseases. It includes a suite of proprietary assays to select pharmacologically potent strains, vast proprietary datasets from human interventional studies, and facilities for cGMP-compliant manufacturing of rationally defined bacterial consortia in powder form to help physicians have access to live bacteria drugs to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases easily.

Protagonist Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery of novel peptide and small molecule compounds that mimic or inhibit therapeutically-relevant protein-protein interactions.

Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc., a pharmaceutical company, engages in discovery, development, and commercialization of small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory disease. It offers AQX-MN100, a drug used to treat cancer and inflammatory disease, as well as SH2-containing inositol 5'-phosphatase inhibition program for blood cell recovery. The company was founded in 2004 and is based in Vancouver, Canada.

Catalyst Biosciences is a research and clinical development biopharmaceutical company. They focus on addressing unmet medical needs in rare disorders of the complement and coagulation systems. They create novel catalytic biopharmaceutical products based on engineered human proteases.

Nevro is a global medical device company focused on providing innovative products that improve the quality of life of patients suffering from debilitating chronic pain. Nevro has developed and commercialized the Senza spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, an evidence-based neuromodulation platform for the treatment of chronic pain. The Senza system is the only SCS system that delivers Nevro's proprietary HF10 therapy. Senza, HF10, Nevro and the Nevro logo are trademarks of Nevro.

CoStim Pharmaceuticals Inc. operates as a biotechnology company. It develops antibody agents for treatment of cancer. The company was incorporated in 2011 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.

OptiScan Biomedical Corporation develops glucose monitoring systems for the intensive care unit (ICU)/CCU. It offers OptiScanner, an automated, bedside glucose monitoring system to assist healthcare providers manage the glucose level of critically ill patients. The company’s OptiScanner provides serial blood glucose measurements for a range of glucose concentrations. OptiScan Biomedical Corporation was founded in 1994 and is based in Hayward, California.

Genocea Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical company which is engaged in developing novel vaccines and immunotherapies to address diseases with significant unmet needs.Its product candidate includes GEN-003 which is an immunotherapy for the treatment of genital herpes as well as it owns pre-clinical immuno-oncology program focused on personalized cancer vaccines. The company focuses on developing vaccines and immunotherapies for unmet needs through its AnTigen Lead Acquisition System, which is used to design vaccines and immunotherapies. Genocea operates its business through the single segment being Developing and Commercializing vaccines.

Astute Medical is dedicated to improving the diagnosis of high-risk medical conditions and diseases through the identification and validation of protein biomarkers that can serve as the basis for novel diagnostic tests. The Company's focus is on community and hospital-acquired acute conditions that require rapid diagnosis and risk assessment. The company's current areas of interest include abdominal pain, acute coronary syndromes, cerebrovascular injury, kidney injury and sepsis. Founded in 2007, the company is led by Christopher Hibberd and Paul McPherson, former members of the management at Biosite Incorporated, a leading diagnostics company acquired by Inverness Medical Innovations in 2007 for $1.7 billion. Hibberd served at Biosite for 10 years, most recently as Senior Vice President Corporate Development. Dr. McPherson was at Biosite for 14 years, most recently as Vice President Research and Development.

Mitralign is a venture backed privately held company located in a suburb of Boston, MA. The company is developing an innovative catheter based technology for percutaneous treatment of functional mitral regurgitation. The novel Mitralign system emulates surgical annuloplasty as it delivers a series of surgical implants directly into the mitral annulus by means of a catheter. The implants are cinched together, thus reducing the size of the mitral valve annulus and the valve opening.  Mitralign is funded by top tier venture capitalists and has two major cardiovascular device companies as investors.

Direct Flow Medical is a medical device company developing a percutaneous aortic tissue valve prosthesis to provide patients requiring treatment of cardiac valve insufficiency with a safe and effective percutaneous option. Approximately 1.2 million people over the age of 65 have calcified aortic valves, yet only an estimated 150,000 are surgically treated each year.

Celladon Corporation, a biotechnology company, develops and manufactures molecular therapies for the treatment of heart failure. Its products include SERCA2a, an enzyme that regulates calcium cycling and contractility in heart muscle cells; and MYDICAR, an enzyme replacement therapy for heart failure. Celladon was founded in 2000 and is based in La Jolla, California.

iScience Interventionalâ„¢ discovers and develops microcatheter and imaging technologies that enable ophthalmologists to deliver site-specific ocular therapies. This new category of therapy is called Interventional Ophthalmology. It encompasses microcatheter-based therapies designed to access a wide range of anatomical structures within the eye to aspirate ocular fluids or deliver sterile ophthalmic solutions to the eye.

Pronota NV is developing and commercialising first-in-class diagnostics for early detection of life-threatening conditions and unmet medical needs including heart failure, pre-eclampsia and sepsis.  Pronota's non-invasive, validated, diagnostics are proprietary and focused on improving quality of care for patients. Backed by a solid base of investors including GIMV, LSP, KBC Private Equity and JJDC, and a wide network of renowned key opinion leaders, Pronota is committed to making a difference in diagnosis and personalized healthcare.  Pronota NV was formerly known as Peakadilly NV and changed its name to Pronota NV in November 2006. The company was founded in 2004 and is based in Zwijnaarde, Belgium.

Spinal Modulation, Inc. provides medical devices research and development services. The company is based in Menlo Park, California. According to the 2002 Health Assessment on the Prevalence of Chronic Pain, severe chronic pain, as defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain, is prevalent in 10 to 13% of the adult population. Limited treatment options exist for these patients and the burden to the healthcare system is unsustainable. The Spinal Modulation AxiumTM Neurostimulator System is a next-generation intraspinal neuromodulation therapy that stimulates the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) to provide a new pain management option. It has shown promising results in managing chronic intractable leg pain, as well as difficult-to-target anatomies such as the back and foot. By stimulating the DRG, therapy can be adjusted to cover either broad or specific areas of pain throughout the torso and legs, while limiting uncomfortable postural effects typically experienced with other spinal cord stimulators.

23andMe is a human genome research company enabling users to study their ancestry, genealogy, and inherited traits. A startup co-founded by Linda Avey and Anne Wojcicki, the wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, 23andMe has plans to make the human genome searchable. Brin, along with Google, gave 23andMe $3.9 million as part of a series A in May of 2007. The company was named after the number of chromosome pairs in humans. They aim to help people understand what their genes mean by indexing them and highlighting significant findings. 23andMe allows its clients/users to study their ancestry, genealogy and inherited traits. The company also markets to researchers and scientists, for whom they provide neatly categorized and easily searchable data. One reason the Google investment in 23andMe made sense was that this company could enable the search giant to index another facet of the world's information. With the Biotech and Health Care industries growing rapidly, 23andMe could help Google get and maintain a market hold in these already multi-billion dollar areas.

Zeo was a manufacturer of a sleep monitor in the form of a headband, that contained an EEG unit monitoring the user's brain waves.  The sleep monitor was able to detect and record sleep stages, and awake at the optimal time, in light sleep.  Using analytics, users were provided with recommendations based on each individual's sleeping patterns.  Zeo has stopped operating in [December 2012](http://techcrunch.com/2013/05/22/sleep-tracking-startup-zeo-says-goodnight/), and Q2 2013, it quietly shut down. According to founder Dave Dickinson, problems included the business model, with a ''suboptimal profit margin'', invasiveness of the headband device for some user, and friction caused by the user having to log into the website to enter additional data. Moreover, the [sleep data was not necessarily suitable for a small mobile screen](http://mobihealthnews.com/22410/can-personal-health-data-motivate-behavioral-change-it-depends/).

Syntaxin is a biopharmaceutical company that engineers and develops bacterial-based protein therapeutics for the treatment of neurological, inflammatory and endocrine diseases. The biopharmaceutical company's proprietary technology platform enables the engineering of bacterial proteins by domain substitution, to produce novel cell-specific biotherapeutics that inhibit cell secretion. These products can have therapeutic effects in a wide range of indications.

INTIO, Inc. develops software-based algorithms for planning, confirmation, monitoring and assessment before, during and after thermal ablation procedures. Its software guides minimally invasive methods for the treatment of malignant and benign solid tumors. The company was formerly known as Abla-Tx, Inc. INTIO, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is based in Denver, Colorado.

Breathe Technologies, Inc was founded in 2005 with the objective of empowering healthcare providers and patients with new, reliable and accessible respiratory therapies that optimize breathing and mobility.  They are in the process of developing truly ultra-light, compact, patient-friendly ventilator systems that can transform respiratory care in the hospital and home markets.

Molecular Partners is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company working to advance modern medicine and significantly improve the management of serious diseases. They are developing a powerful new class of potent, specific and versatile small protein therapies called DARPin® therapeutics.

Sleep Solutions (SSI) is a privately held diagnostic service provider for home testing and evaluation of sleep-disordered breathing, which includes the diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Sleep SolutionsÂ® offers physicians and their patients a fast, cost-effective, accurate and comfortable alternative to in-laboratory sleep studies. Utilizing proprietary sound analysis technology, their NovaSomÂ® QSGÂ® home-diagnostic system is delivered directly to the patient.

Novocure™ is dedicated to the development of tumor treating fields therapy (NovoTTF™ Therapy), a new weapon for patients and physicians in the battle against cancer.  NovoTTF Therapy is a novel anti-mitotic treatment that has been shown to slow or reverse tumor progression by inducing cell death in certain solid tumors. The company pioneered the concept that the electric properties of cells can be used as an effective target for an anti-neoplastic therapy.

NeoTract, Inc. develops surgical devices for urological and gynecological disorders.

NeuroSearch (NEUR) is a Scandinavian biopharmaceutical company listed on the Nasdaq OMX Copenhagen A/S.   The core business of the company covers the development of novel pharmaceutical agents, based on a broad and well-established drug discovery platform focusing on ion channels and central nervous system (CNS) disorders.     A substantial share of the activities is partner financed through strategic alliances with Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen Pharmaceutica and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and a license collaboration with Abbott.  In addition, NeuroSearch has a broad portfolio of preclinical drug candidates and holds equity interests in several biotech companies.  The company has approximately 220 employees with activities in Ballerup and Gothenburg.

CoAxia is a medical device company that researches therapy and treatment solutions for cerebral ischemia. They are based in Minneapolis, MN.

GetWellNetwork, Inc. develops interactive software to help hospitals get patients more involved in their care process. Using the bedside TV, the GetWellNetwork system enables patients to view movies, access the Internet, play games and get health information on the television. Using technology in this way to achieve a more patient centered care experience is often referred to as, Interactive Patient Care (IPC).  GetWellNetwork was founded in 1999 by CEO Michael Oâ€™Neil Jr., based on his experience with his own hospital experience during his 1999 battle with cancer. Over the next several years, the company deployed GetWellNetwork systems in hospitals around the country. In 2009 the company launched GetWell Town, an interactive patient care system designed for pediatric patients.  The GetWellNetwork system, formerly named PatientLife, provides hospital patients with an assortment of entertainment amenities such as access to cable/satellite television, on-demand movies, email, web browsing, music and video games. In addition to entertainment, the GetWellNetwork system offers educational resources tailored for the patient's specific condition. The system includes a library of educational videos and content on specific health conditions, medications, tests and procedures. The patient education library offers material from content providers like, Milner-Fenwick, KidsHealth, Blausen Medical, Swank Motion Pictures, Wired.MD and others. Patients also have access to information about the hospital including visiting hours, staff profiles and patient care initiatives.  The GetWellNetwork system delivers educational content relevant to patient diagnosis, prescribed medication, and overall health. Patient education is delivered to the patient using pre-defined workflows referred to as Patient PathwaysÂ®.  Patient Pathways utilize best practice templates that enable hospitals to automatically customize a patientâ€™s hospital experience based on a variety of data inputs from existing hospital information systems. Data inputs trigger Patient Pathways to begin engaging patients in their own care. Prompts that appear on the patientâ€™s TV proactively engage each patient to learn more about their care, condition, safety and other aspects of their hospital stay. Patients proceed at their own pace through the multiple phases of each Patient Pathway. The patientâ€™s progress is recorded for reporting and to allow Nurses and staff to monitor the patientâ€™s real-time progress. Progress can also be automatically documented to the patientâ€™s EMR.

GI Dynamics, Inc., a medical device company, develops therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and related metabolic diseases in the United States. Its products also include EndoBarrier, a non-surgical therapy to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. The company was founded in 2003 and is based in Lexington, Massachusetts.

ClariTEE probe and Zura imaging system for trans-esophageal echo-cardiography for episodic monitoring of cardiac function

7TM Pharma is a biotech company that discovers and develops drugs with a primary therapeutic focus on diabetes, gastrointestinal, metabolic, asthma, and vascular diseases. The company offers seven transmembrane-spanning receptors, including TM38837, a small molecule CB1 receptor antagonist; TM30339, a NPY Y4 selective agonist that is used within gastrointestinal disorders, and short bowel syndrome; and CRTH2 antagonist, an oral drug for inflammatory or respiratory diseases.  7TM Pharma was founded in 2000 and is based in Lyngby, Hovedstaden.

Acclarent, Inc. is a medical device company. The company is dedicated to the development of innovative devices providing new technologies to further meet the needs of ENT patients. Acclarent's initial focus is on achieving the goals of sinus surgery with novel, endoscopic, catheter-based tools—Balloon Sinuplasty® devices. Through the Balloon SinuplastyTM technology and the company's RelievaTM registered product portfolio, we offer ENT patients alternatives to conventional endoscopic surgical approaches. FDA clearances for these devices were completed in 2005, and the products were commercially launched in the US that same year.

Biolex is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that uses their patented LEX SystemSM to develop hard-to-make therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies that have been optimized to enhance their efficacy and potency. The LEX System is a technology that genetically transforms the aquatic plant Lemna to enable the production of biologic product candidates. Their main product aims at treating those afflicted with Hepatitis C.

BrainsGate's platform technology involves electrical stimulation of the Spheno-Palatine Ganglion (SPG), a nervous center known to increase cerebral blood flow. BrainsGate is exploring several applications for its technology, and is currently focusing on treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Building on its technology, the Company has developed the ISS, based on a miniature electrode implanted at the roof of the mouth in a bed side, minimally invasive, local anesthesia procedure comparable to dental treatment. In 2008, the company completed ImPACT-1, a pilot clinical trial for acute ischemic stroke with promising results. In 2011 the Company completed a 300 patients RCT pivotal trial that further substantiated the safety and efficacy of its treatment for acute ischemic stroke patients. BrainsGate is currently running the ImpACT-24b, a multi-national, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled pivotal study to assess the safety and efficacy of its treatment for stroke patients in a 24-hour window.

Mass.-based drug developer for treatment of retinal diseases.

InSound Medical, Inc., a privately held, venture-backed company based in Newark, California, develops and manufactures next-generation hearing solutions. Major investors include Johnson & Johnson, DeNovo Ventures, CMEA Ventures, and Psilos Group Managers, LLC.

Arbor Surgical Technologies, Inc. located in Irvine and Portola Valley, CA  (USA), is a privately held cardiovascular medical device company focused on  the heart valve replacement market.  Founded in 2002 by Dr. Thomas J. Fogarty  and noted heart valve designer, Ernie Lane, Arbor is developing multiple  technologies that have the potential to deliver significant clinical benefit  to patients worldwide.  Arbor intends to develop and commercialize its core  technologies in varying combinations, giving the company the opportunity to  create a portfolio of product offerings.  Currently in clinical trials, Arbor  is developing a tissue heart valve family of products designed for improved  performance over existing valves and compatible implantation tools that  simplify and speed valve replacement surgery.

Cardiac Dimensions, Inc. is a medical device company developing novel interventional tools for the treatment of heart failure and the related condition of mitral valve regurgitation. Our product, the Carillon® Mitral Contour System®, is a groundbreaking, non-surgical device developed to treat functional mitral valve regurgitation. Our system uses a catheter based approach to reshape the mitral valve and reduce mitral regurgitation.

Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (JJDC) is the venture capital subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. JJDC is comprised of experts and leaders in the health care and technology venture communities who identify early market indicators, health care trends, and strategic investment opportunities. Unlike traditional venture capital firms, JJDC determines the success of an investment’s performance not only in financial returns, but also in the viability of providing strategic growth options for Johnson & Johnson.  JJDC plays an integral role in the identification of new business opportunities outside of Johnson & Johnson’s traditional portfolio and market presence. JJDC identifies new market opportunities and develops new businesses in emergent health care sectors while also creating support venture investments in alignment with the strategic objectives of Johnson & Johnson operating companies.

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