John H. Friedman

iTherX is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative treatments for Hepatitis C. This is a disease that affects almost 3% of the world's population, and is the major cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver failure and primary liver cancer. Currently there is only a single mode of therapy and less than 5% of patients can be successfully treated. The company continues to carry out focused research in their areas of expertise to provide sustainability of product pipelines. In an era of managed care and increased regulatory scrutiny, it is easy to yield to the temptation of producing 'me too drugs'. However, they think that innovation in the development of pharmaceutical products is important because it is the only way to improve the outcomes for patients. As such, they also think that innovation can ensure the financial returns that investors in health care deserve for the risks that they take. Their innovative approach is evident in their pipeline of Hepatitis C drug candidates. As new and better treatments are being sought, most companies involved in this effort are targeting the enzymes responsible for viral replication: polymerases and proteases. While these are important targets, there is a great deal of duplication of effort in these initiatives. At iTherX, they are pioneering the development of a novel class of HCV antivirals by targeting the steps involved in the entry of the hepatitis C virus into liver cells. Their Host Cell Receptor Target Program engenders small molecule compounds that target a liver cell membrane protein, SR-B1, which recognize and dock the virus. Their lead compound, ITX5061, has extensive safety data in over 250 patients, and shows picomolar potency in inhibiting HCV infection in vitro. They plan to initiate a Phase 2a clinical trial in HCV patients in Q2 of 2009. They have also used medicinal chemistry to develop back-up compounds for this program, and a clinical candidate has been selected for development. Another innovative program is novel cell receptor, which develops antagonists (including biologics) against a novel liver cell membrane protein required for infectivity of the virus.

Part of Sanarus Technologies LLC, Sanarus Medical, Inc. manufactures minimally invasive medical devices. The company is based in Pleasanton, CA. The company was founded in 1999 by Seth A. Stabinsky, Glenn Foy. The CEO is BJ Hardman. Sanarus Medical was acquired by Sanarus Technologies LLC on July 16, 2009.

Trellis Bioscience, Inc. is discovers and develops novel human antibody therapeutics. It provides the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies from human B cells. The firm develops the CellSpot antibody discovery platform, which enables the identification of antibodies directly from human blood. The company was founded by Lawrence Kauvar and Stote Ellsworth in 1998 and is headquartered in South San Francisco, CA.

Xoft, Inc. develops Electronic Brachytherapy systems for radiation therapy applications. Its products include the Axxent Controller, which utilizes a miniaturized high dose rate (HDR) X-ray source to apply radiation directly to the cancerous tumor bed; Axxent HDR X-ray Source, a low energy radiation treatment without the use of radioactive isotopes; Axxent Applicators, which provides a channel for the Axxent X-ray Source to deliver high dose rate, low energy radiation directly to the targeted area; and Axxent Accessories, an accessory product line designed to support and aid a physician during a procedure or treatment of cancer radiation. The company was founded by Michael Forman in 1998 and is headquartered in San Jose, CA.

Sequella, Inc. develops antibiotic drugs resistant to bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. It offers product for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori, Clostridium difficile, Nontuberculous mycobacteria, Trypanosomes, and fungal infections. The company was founded by Carol A. Nacy and Leo Einck in 1997 and is headquartered in Rockville, MD.

IGA Worldwide, Inc. provided in-game advertising solutions which enabled advertisers, developers and publishers to target various consumers across a range of platforms and genres while they play. The company was founded in 2005 and was headquartered in New York, NY.

Experimed Bioscience, Inc. engages in research and development of drugs. The company was founded by Schepartz Alanna and is headquartered in South San Francisco, CA

Precise Light Surgical, Inc. develops a minimally invasive surgery technology platform. The firm’s flash vaporization technology provides unprecedented precision and control for the removal of delicate tissues to improve patient outcomes, reduce surgical risk and down time while lowering the treatment costs. The company was founded in October 2008 and is headquartered in Campbell, CA.

Respiratory Motion, Inc. develops medical devices. The firm specializes in clinical research, clinical evaluation and testing. Its product ExSpiron 1Xi, measures minute ventilation non-invasively. The company was founded by Jenny E. Freeman, Alexander Panasyuk and Svetlana Panasyuk in March 2010 and is headquartered in Waltham, MA.