JDRF (The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)

The University of Michigan, one of the largest universities in the Midwest, offers a diverse array of academic programs that attract over 40,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Its renowned schools include the Stephen Ross School of Business, the College of Engineering, and prominent law and medical schools. The university also has a vibrant arts scene, highlighted by its Musical Theatre program and the annual Ann Arbor Film Festival, which draws filmmakers globally. In addition to its educational endeavors, the University of Michigan actively manages a significant endowment, investing in alternative assets such as private equity, real estate, and infrastructure to support its mission and enhance its resources. The institution consistently ranks highly in national assessments, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and innovation.

Diatech Diabetes is a MedTech startup focused on improving the lives of individuals with diabetes through innovative monitoring solutions. The company has developed SmartFusion, a sophisticated system designed for insulin pumps that enhances the accuracy of insulin delivery and detects infusion set failures. By integrating its software with existing insulin pumps, SmartFusion utilizes data from the pump, continuous glucose monitors, and the patient's infusion habits. This approach allows for personalized insulin management, enabling patients to better monitor their daily dosages and reduce the risk of complications. Diatech Diabetes aims to provide tailored solutions that address the unique needs of diabetes patients, ultimately promoting better health outcomes.

Zucara Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapeutics to prevent hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, in patients with diabetes. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with an additional office in Vancouver, Zucara is pioneering a once-daily treatment that aims to regulate the hormone somatostatin in the pancreas. This treatment specifically targets somatostatin type 2 receptors, which are not effectively controlled in patients with Type 1 diabetes. Zucara's approach presents a significant advancement in diabetes care by functioning as a preventative measure against hypoglycemia, contrasting with existing therapies that only provide rescue during acute episodes. Through its pre-clinical technology, Zucara Therapeutics aims to restore natural glucose levels in the blood, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with diabetes.

Diamyd Medical AB is a Swedish biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for autoimmune diabetes. The company is advancing its lead product, Diamyd, an antigen-specific immunomodulating vaccine designed for the treatment of type 1 diabetes and latent autoimmune diabetes, which is currently in Phase IIb clinical development. Additionally, Diamyd Medical is working on Remygen, an oral regenerative and immunomodulatory drug candidate aimed at treating autoimmune and type 2 diabetes, now in Phase I/II clinical trials. The company also leverages its GABA technology, which is integral to its proprietary drug product development. Founded in 1984 and located in Stockholm, Sweden, Diamyd Medical was previously known as Diamyd Therapeutics AB until its name change in April 2013.

Neurodon Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing disease-modifying therapeutic candidates for intractable diseases. Established in 2019 and headquartered in Crown Point, Indiana, Neurodon specializes in molecular therapies that address endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, a significant factor in cell dysfunction and death. The company's innovative approach aims to restore calcium homeostasis through first-in-class modulators, addressing conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, diabetes, and other rare diseases. Neurodon has made significant progress, with two candidates currently in IND-enabling studies and plans to enter clinical trials in 2025. The company has raised over $11 million through various funding sources, including state and federal grants, partnerships, and angel investments, and is actively seeking additional funding to support its first human studies for diabetes and rare disease programs.

Tidepool is a United States-based company that provides an analytics platform focused on enhancing the management of diabetes data. By making this data more accessible, actionable, and meaningful, Tidepool aims to improve the experiences of individuals with diabetes, their care teams, and researchers. The company employs advanced scientific techniques and patented technology to offer insights that help users understand how their psychological characteristics, including personality, thinking, and mood, impact daily performance. Users can engage with Tidepool through fun, interactive games that facilitate self-assessment and allow for daily tracking. Future developments will enable integration with various quantified self devices, enhancing the platform's utility for users.

Frequency Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to repairing or reversing damage caused by degenerative diseases through its innovative Progenitor Cell Activation approach. This method utilizes a combination of small molecules to activate progenitor cells in the body, which facilitates the creation of functional tissue without the complexities of genetic engineering. The company’s lead product candidate, FX-322, is currently undergoing phase 2a clinical trials aimed at treating the underlying causes of sensorineural hearing loss. In addition to FX-322, Frequency Therapeutics is exploring treatments for various degenerative conditions, including multiple sclerosis and diseases affecting muscle, the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and bone. Established in 2014 and based in Woburn, Massachusetts, Frequency Therapeutics has established a collaboration agreement with Astellas Pharma Inc. for the development and commercialization of FX-322.

Zucara Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapeutics to prevent hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, in patients with diabetes. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with an additional office in Vancouver, Zucara is pioneering a once-daily treatment that aims to regulate the hormone somatostatin in the pancreas. This treatment specifically targets somatostatin type 2 receptors, which are not effectively controlled in patients with Type 1 diabetes. Zucara's approach presents a significant advancement in diabetes care by functioning as a preventative measure against hypoglycemia, contrasting with existing therapies that only provide rescue during acute episodes. Through its pre-clinical technology, Zucara Therapeutics aims to restore natural glucose levels in the blood, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with diabetes.

ViaCyte, Inc. is a regenerative medicine company based in San Diego, California, that specializes in developing cell replacement therapies for diabetes. The company’s primary product candidates, VC-01 and VC-02, aim to treat type 1 diabetes by implanting pancreatic beta-cell precursors derived from stem cells within an encapsulation device. This innovative approach allows the implanted cells to produce insulin in response to blood glucose levels while minimizing the risk of immune rejection, thereby eliminating the need for immunosuppressants. ViaCyte's goal is to provide a long-term solution that can free both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients from dependence on insulin and reduce associated complications such as hypoglycemia and cardiovascular issues. Founded in 1999, ViaCyte was previously known as Novocell, Inc., and changed its name in 2010. The company also operates an additional facility in Athens, Georgia.

AnTolRx is a biotechnology company based in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 2015, focused on developing nanoparticle-based therapies to treat autoimmune diseases by promoting antigen-specific immune tolerance rather than broad immunosuppression. The company’s approach selectively targets pathogenic immune cells with a tolerogenic signal to induce an anti-inflammatory phenotype, aiming to improve safety and efficacy by reducing immune-related side effects. Its programs concentrate on diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis to provide treatments that modulate the immune system without compromising overall immune defense.