Ted Torphy

RiboNova is developing small molecule drugs against a new family of targets, defective transfer RNAs. Its focus is on therapies that will be used in the treatment of inherited mitochondrial diseases and cancer.

The Empire Discovery Institute (EDI) is a 501(c)(3) corporation focused on overcoming key challenges faced by life science researchers in academia – lack of external funding focused on the development of therapeutics and the availability of pharmaceutical industry expertise to advance their programs to fruition. Its mission is to identify and advance medically important innovations related to human disease that will serve as the basis for the discovery and development of novel, highly differentiated new therapeutics. EDI was created as part of New York State’s $620M NYS Life Science Initiative. It accesses the most promising translational research from premier institutions in upstate New York, including the University at Buffalo, the University of Rochester, and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. In addition to developing strategic relationships with pharmaceutical partners and venture capital firms, EDI seeks to attract philanthropic sources of funding to facilitate the discovery, development, and access of innovative new medicines for rare and orphan diseases in adults and children.

Ultimate Medicine develops novel small molecules to improve cognitive function and treat dementia by targeting a unique gut-derived metabolite that increases with age and contributes to cognitive decline. Our approach offers a first-in-class mechanism to restore brain health by intervening at the gut-brain axis. Ultimate Medicine AG is a Swiss preclinical pharmaceutical company pioneering an innovative oral treatment for age-related cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Our approach uniquely targets a key disease pathway that current therapies have overlooked, complementing existing research on amyloid-β and tau. With decades of pharmaceutical development and commercialization experience, our team is dedicated to developing a treatment that may potentially slow or halt cognitive decline. Supported by peer-reviewed research in Nature Aging, our companion diagnostic program is designed to optimize patient selection, de-risk clinical development, and enable precision targeting in an underserved and rapidly growing dementia market.

The WHYY Community Advisory Board reviews WHYY’s programming and service goals and policy decisions. It advises the WHYY Board of Directors and staff on whether WHYY’s goals meet the specialized educational and cultural needs of the communities WHYY serves.

Clarametyx’s technology precisely targets the underlying structure of bacterial biofilms, resulting in effective destruction of the pathogen’s protective shield. This renders the bacteria susceptible to immune and antibiotic attack. The unique mechanism enables a more efficient immune attack to eliminate a wide range of disease-causing bacteria and potentiates the effectiveness of antibiotics. In addition to therapeutic applications, the same technology can serve as a powerful new vaccination tactic, enabling the body’s immune response to effectively counter new bacterial threats by preventing the development of the biofilm barrier.

Aro Biotherapeutics is focused on the development of a new protein drug platform called Centyrins, designed to achieve better efficacy and safety profiles for patients with cancer and other serious diseases. Centyrins are small, non-antibody protein scaffolds that can be expressed as multi-specifics with novel therapeutic mechanisms of action. Centyrins are also ideal for the targeted delivery of complex drug payloads, including nucleic acids.

BreatheSimple is a software company that provides customized breathing health analysis and training over the internet.

Established in 2000, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. (CFFT) is the non-profit drug discovery and development affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. CFFT supports and governs activities related to cystic fibrosis (CF) drug discovery through the many stages of drug development and clinical evaluation. The CF Foundation funds CFFT's operations, specifically the Therapeutics Development Program. Decades of sound investment by the Foundation in cutting edge basic science, drug discovery and drug development have led to innovative new therapies for the CF community as well as a strong drug development pipeline to ensure that better treatments will continue become available. Despite the increasing age of survival, people with CF need new medications to reduce the effects of their disease until the cure is found. Through CFFT, the CF Foundation will continue to invest in the development of new therapies until a cure is available.

BioMotiv is a mission-driven, for-profit drug development organization that accelerates breakthrough discoveries into medicines. The company is associated with The Harrington Project, a national drug development initiative. It is advancing a portfolio of discoveries into new therapeutics through an innovative model that efficiently aligns expertise, capital and collaborations. Technology platform and compound opportunities are sourced primarily through relationships with the Harrington Discovery Institute, research institutions, disease foundations, and governments. The company is interested in all disease areas and both small and large molecule. Projects are advanced to the point of clinical proof-of-concept and then out-licensed to strategic partners.