SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BioUtah, Utah’s only trade association dedicated solely to the life sciences, in partnership with the University of Utah’s Center for Technology & Venture Commercialization (TVC), today announced the nine Utah life sciences startup companies that have qualified to present to investors and guests attending the 2020 Entrepreneur & Investor Life Science Summit (E&I Summit). The conference will be held on February 28 at the University of Utah’s Cleone Peterson Eccles Alumni House and is proudly sponsored by Simpson Thacher.

The following nine companies were selected from over 30 companies that applied to present: Alucent Biomedical, Braveheart Wireless, Epitel, Fluidx Medical Technology, Genestat Molecular Diagnostics, Layla Technology, Majelco Medical, SignPath Pharma, and Symbiocell Tech. The companies were chosen based on a number of criteria, including uniqueness of the product, potential of the product for commercialization, and quality and diversity of management. For information on the companies and a complete agenda visit www.eilifesciencessummit.org.

“We had a tremendous response to our call for applications from our life sciences community,” said Kelvyn Cullimore, president & CEO, of BioUtah. “It reaffirms what we already know — that Utah is fertile ground for so many promising startups in this industry.”

All the companies that applied will be prominently featured in the E&I Summit program, and will have the opportunity to personally engage with local and national investors attending the conference.

“There is a tremendous amount of healthcare innovation right in our own back yard,” said Keith Marmer, associate vice president and executive director of the TVC. ”In large part, our goal at the Summit is to broadly showcase our robust Utah startups, and get the word out to investors and other funding sources to help them succeed.”

The nine companies will deliver a 15-minute presentation to Summit attendees, angel investors, and representatives from venture capital funds. Companies attending the event will have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Lili Portilla, who oversees the NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences’ (NCATS) technology transfer functions as well as NCATS’ Small Business Innovation Research grants. Angel MD will also be on hand to personally meet with companies. Angel MD is a crowd sourcing company with an extensive investor network of medical professionals.

“It’s all about making connections and helping the investor community, both locally and nationally, learn about the tremendous innovation in medical technologies, diagnostics, biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals that are taking root in Utah,” said Brandi Simpson, president & CEO of Navigen Pharmaceuticals, and chair of the BioUtah Board of Directors.

About BioUtah

BioUtah is an independent 501(c)(6) trade association serving Utah’s life sciences industry. Its member companies reflect a broad spectrum of the industry with strengths in medical device manufacturing and services, research and testing, biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, and advanced diagnostics, amongst others; and are a key driver of Utah’s economy.

About the Center for Technology & Venture Commercialization

The Center for Technology & Venture Commercialization is dedicated to helping the University of Utah’s faculty inventors bring their innovations to market. TVC is responsible for all aspects of invention management, patent prosecution, licensing, startup formation and support, equity management and early-stage funding. The center’s mission is to expand the university’s reputation for innovation, and positively impact society. TVC is proud to help foster this spirit of discovery.

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