Spring 2026 Cohort

Developing a novel small-molecule therapy for Parkinson’s Disease based on UCSF research. Their approach targets Nurr1, a nuclear receptor central to restoring dopamine production and reducing neuro-inflammation. A proof-of-concept study in an animal model showed strong, statistically significant treatment responses, and a lead compound with a favorable pharmacology and safety profile has since been optimized.

Delivering programmable patient tissue without the friction. Their autologous skin cell therapy platform engineers a patient’s own cells to produce therapeutic proteins, using a spray-on formulation that requires no surgery. Lead indication is RDEB, a rare, debilitating blistering disease. Human proof of concept already achieved — two chronic wounds healed with no adverse safety events.

Developing Ladybug™, the first-in-class AI-enabled, mobile fMRI-guided neuromodulation platform designed to restore impaired brain circuitry in patients with dementia. The platform delivers non-invasive, image-guided treatment directly to patients where they live and receive care — including assisted living and memory-care facilities.

Developing first-in-class oral therapies for food allergy by targeting IgE-producing plasma cells at their source — not neutralizing circulating IgE or providing allergen-specific desensitization. Their forward genetics discovery platform uses large-scale in vivo mutagenesis and phenotypic screening to find and validate novel, disease-driving targets for durable, disease-modifying treatment.

A precision epigenetic therapeutics company developing programmable medicines to rebalance immune hyperactivity at its root cause. Lead program UniGex-01 selectively down-regulates MYD88 — a master regulator of innate immune signaling — via mRNA-encoded zinc-finger repressor delivered in proprietary LNPs. Initial focus: HLH, a rare, life-threatening hyperinflammatory disorder.

Advancing a first-in-class, mutation-agnostic therapeutic platform for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), affecting 125,000 in the U.S. and 2.5 million globally. Built by NF1 parents and experienced drug-discovery leaders, their approach increases neurofibromin protein from the functional NF1 allele — addressing root-cause haploinsufficiency without gene editing. Operating from a fully operational lab at JLABS.

Solving one of the NICU’s most persistent problems: precise oxygen delivery for premature infants. Current nasal cannulas were designed 70 years ago for adults — in neonates, oxygen leakage makes it nearly impossible to maintain the narrow therapeutic window. Nspire’s novel cannula features inserts engineered for neonatal anatomy, validated in benchtop testing against market leaders.

A USC preclinical-stage biotech developing therapeutics and diagnostics targeting brain inflammation. Their novel small molecules address neurovascular inflammation from dysfunctional lipid trafficking — a pathological target current medications largely ignore. Compounds are orally bioavailable, potent, and blood-brain barrier penetrant, with greater efficacy than current therapies in targeting inflammatory pathways.

Tackling oncology’s most underleveraged problem: 9 in 10 cancer deaths stem from treatment resistance, largely driven by efflux pumps that expel chemotherapeutics from cancer cells. Their first-in-class sweeping antibodies neutralize resistance pathways and convert “cold tumors” into immune-responsive “hot tumors.” Lead asset RES-101 targets OPN to restore therapy sensitivity across ovarian, colorectal, liver, and cervical cancers.

Developing a new class of Protein Sculpting™ therapeutics for brain diseases and aging by targeting alternative RNA splicing to precisely control protein isoforms. Builders of the first Human RNA Splicing Atlas, they use splice-switching ASOs to intentionally reshape disease-causing proteins — going beyond gene regulation to convert protein forms, eliminate interactions, and change localization.

An agile, capital-efficient virtual biotech developing first-in-class pharmacotherapies for disorders of maladaptive learning. Their approach combines evidence-based neuropharmacology with translational development expertise. Led by founder and CEO Dr. Davin Rautiola, a pharmaceutical engineer in translational medicine, with an advisory team spanning neuroscience, psychiatry, clinical development, and market access.

Developing a non-invasive system to identify early metabolic change associated with progression toward type 2 diabetes — before diagnosis, before symptoms. DigiScan, their first product, is a compact scanner for everyday settings: pharmacies, gyms, and employer wellness programs. Provides a clear, repeatable metabolic trend in seconds, enabling longitudinal tracking and earlier action.