Startups

By licensing technology developed at the Fralin Biomedical Institute, BEAM Diagnostics integrates cutting-edge research in behavioral economics with advanced technology to improve the lives of individuals suffering from alcohol addiction and other substance use problems.

Founded by Dr. Samy Lamouille and Dr. Robert Gourdie, Acomhal Research is developing novel treatments targeting cancer cells that are resistant to therapy in order to prevent tumor recurrence and metastasis.

Building on her experience as a leading investigator of interstitial fluid flow, including development of ways to visualize fluid flow in tumors, Jenny Munson founded Cairina to revolutionize cancer treatment. The company  provides clinicians with highly detailed, 3D-rendered models that map the unique fluid dynamics of each patient’s tumor.

Co-founded by Jenny Munson, professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, with Rebecca Pompano, associate professor of chemistry and biomedical engineering at the University of Virginia, Lympha Bio builds scalable human in vitro novel alternative methods (NAMs) to help pharmaceutical companies and research teams assess immune toxicity earlier, reduce late-stage failures, and improve confidence in preclinical decisions – at a lower cost.

Heart failure is increasingly understood as a condition in which the relationship between cellular energy production and mechanical function in heart muscle deteriorates, limiting the heart’s ability to sustain the work required to pump blood effectively. Vectorial, co-founded by Junco Warren, professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, and Alexey Zaitsev, research scientist at the institute, is developing a gene therapy platform designed to restore mitochondrial bioenergetics and energetic-contractile coupling in heart muscle cells. The company’s patented approach aims to improve cardiac function by strengthening the cellular energy systems that power cardiac contraction and endurance.