Virginia Catalyst

AgroSpheres, LLC, founded in 2016 and based in Charlottesville, Virginia, specializes in innovative pesticide delivery technology aimed at improving crop protection products. The company develops engineered bio-particles that efficiently deliver pesticide-degrading enzymes, significantly reducing the waiting periods between pesticide application and harvest. By employing a unique encapsulation and delivery platform, AgroSpheres enhances the effectiveness of various crop protection solutions, including fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. The firm focuses on creating biodegradable technologies that minimize harmful pesticide residues on plants, utilizing bioengineering and industrial fermentation techniques to produce biomolecules and chemicals that target toxic materials. This approach not only benefits agricultural businesses but also promotes the health and well-being of plants and their products.

ReAlta Life Sciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Norfolk, Virginia, founded in 2018. The company specializes in developing engineered peptides aimed at addressing life-threatening rare diseases by targeting the complement system and inflammatory mechanisms. Its therapeutic peptides, particularly the lead product RLS-0071, are derived from research on the human astrovirus, which uniquely inhibits components of the innate immune system, thus promoting a non-inflammatory response. ReAlta's approach seeks to rebalance inflammatory processes in the body, enabling healthcare professionals to better manage critical medical conditions. RLS-0071 has received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in neonates.

Contraline, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Charlottesville, Virginia, focused on developing male birth control solutions. The company is creating an innovative, long-lasting, non-hormonal, and reversible contraceptive known as Echo-V. This product consists of an ultrasound-visible polymer solution that is injected into the vas deferens, forming a polymer hydrogel device. This device acts as a semi-permeable membrane, effectively blocking sperm while allowing bodily fluids to pass through. Contraline also offers Vasintomy, a non-surgical procedure for the insertion of Echo-V, providing a cost-effective and user-friendly approach to male contraception. Founded in 2015, Contraline aims to transform male reproductive health through its groundbreaking technology.

Serpin Pharma is a privately held biotech company based in Northern Virginia, USA, focused on developing innovative therapeutics aimed at enhancing the body's natural immune response. The company is working on a family of first-in-class anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating peptides that target inflammatory, autoimmune, and infectious diseases. Their lead drug aims to rebalance the inflammatory response and promote cellular repair in damaged tissues, providing a treatment option for patients with autoimmune conditions. This approach seeks to improve health outcomes without the non-specific immune suppression typically associated with conventional therapies, thereby minimizing detrimental side effects while offering regenerative and protective benefits for damaged human tissue.