AlphaThera and its partners, Integral Molecular and the University of Pennsylvania, were recently awarded an NIH/NCI SBIR Phase II grant totaling $1.7M over 2 years to work on the project titled “Generation of Antibody-Drug Conjugates by Proximity-based Sortase-mediated Ligation”. The grant was awarded to AlphaThera for the development of highly homogenous antibody drug conjugates (ADC) for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and to identify the optimal approach and lead ADC for continued development into a clinical therapeutic.

As part of a $100 million commitment from J&J to promote health equity over five years, $600,000 will be dispersed between founders of health-driven startups in six cities, including Philadelphia. Applicants should be focused on solving health equity issues among Black and brown people. The founders will also receive access to the the JLABS ecosystem. Apps are due by Nov. 12. View the full information on the Johnson & Johnson website.

Philadelphia's start up community is flourishing with projects centered around medicine, artificial intelligence, and robotics, but sustainability-focused innovation has been long overdue for its time in the spotlight. On September 30th Pennovation Works in partnership with Penn Center for Innovation hosted a virtual panel for the 2021 B. PHL Innovation Fest.

In September 2021, the Working Dog Center at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet)  launched a new video, “Two Decades Since 9/11: A Tribute.” This  video features the handlers of Search and Rescue working dogs deployed to Ground Zero and the Pentagon immediately following September 11, 2001. The video is dedicated by the Working Dog Center to the canines who served our country in the aftermath of September 11th, and to all dogs who continue to bring humans hope in difficult times.

Penn Dental Medicine and Penn Engineering recently awarded the Center’s first IDEA (Innovation in Dental Medicine and Engineering to Advance Oral Health) Prize to Dr. Henry Daniell, W.B. Miller Professor at Penn Dental Medicine, and his collaborator, Dr. Daeyeon Lee, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Penn Engineering. Their award-winning project “Engineered Chewing Gum for Debulking Biofilm and Oral SARS-CoV-2,” reduces dental plaque and oral SARS-CoV-2 transmission using chewing gum. 

On Thursday, August 19th, the Pennovation Accelerator held their virtual Pitch Day, the culminating event for the six-week program focused on business development. In case you missed it, you can find a recording of the event here!

The 2021 Pennovation Accelerator officially launched Monday, July 12th for the program's fourth summer!

The Pennovation Eco-Impact Accelerator cohort companies share a common mission to create products or technologies that have a positive impact on the environment. By solving problems related to sustainability, energy production, climate change, urbanization, agriculture, waste reduction and recycling, among other global challenges, these companies also aim to have social impact and better our communities and the world.

The Pennovation Accelerator invites a cohort of local startups to engage in a six-week program to develop their business strategy and cultivate their network.  Cohort companies will participate in weekly educational sessions presented by subject matter experts.  Each company is paired with an experienced mentor to advise them on their journey. In addition, curated networking opportunities help the companies make connections into the larger Philadelphia entrepreneurial community.

PENNOVATION BY THE NUMBERS

1               New 65,000 SF Lab Building with customizable lab spaces
4                # Modular Pod offices created at the Pennovation Center  
7                # Mentors in Residence
8                Anniversary Year of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center