IBRI Members

Adipo Therapeutics is a biotech start-up founded by Purdue Professor Meng Deng, PhD. Adipo is developing a breakthrough technology platform of locally delivered Noth-inhibiting nanoparticles to transform fat, converting energy storing white fat to energy burning brown fat. This new technology has the potential to revolutionize treatment for type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Ancient Ingredients acquires genetic material from extinct plants and microorganisms for use in cosmetics, foods or flavors, and medicines. Ancient DNA (aDNA) is extracted from permafrost and other sources then inserted into microbes that eventually become micro-factories for a desired protein or enzyme. Imagine wearing a perfume or cologne that smells identical to a flower that went extinct 10,000 years ago.

Cascade Metrix is a medical technology company working within critical care. The company will introduce an Automated Multiplex Analyzer that will revolutionize the bedside testing of hospitalized patients whose care and recovery is dependent on repetitive, around-the-clock measurements of critical blood parameters. 

There is an urgent unmet need for non-invasive, inexpensive bladder cancer (BC) follow-up tests to distinguish healthy vs. oncogenic phenotypes more specifically than cystoscopy. Early Is Good is developing a highly sensitive point-of-care BC test “BCDx” that quantifies disease biomarkers. BCDx will ultimately improve patient outcomes through improved patient testing compliance and frequency.

FAST BioMedical is a privately held company developing late clinical-stage medical technology. The company’s globally patented technology is the first to directly measure blood volume and kidney function in a clinically actionable way, which has the potential for significant impact on the treatment of patients with heart failure, cardio-renal syndrome, major surgery, sepsis and acute kidney injury. FAST BioMedical has completed four human trials in Germany and the United States. These products are investigational and not yet approved for human use.

GenePace Laboratories is an innovative clinical laboratory focused on molecular diagnostics, operating within the IBRI facilities in the 16 Tech Innovation District in downtown Indianapolis.

Helix BioStructures is a contract research organization providing integrated early drug discovery services to the biopharmaceutical industry. Helix’s core services encompass protein production and purification, in addition to structural characterization of proteins and nucleotides using X-Ray Crystallography and Cryo-EM.

Kovina Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing first-in-class antiviral therapies to treat cancers and premalignant infections caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Kovina has assembled a team of scientists and industry leaders with expertise in HPV and small molecule drug design to advance its pipeline of drug candidates.

Luson BioVentures focuses on venture creation of biotechnology and pharmaceutical drug discovery and development companies. Its philosophy is based on the fundamentals of venture creation and due diligence to launch relatively mature and vetted start-up companies. Luson builds value with experienced executives and drug development teams, focused scientific and development milestones, active advisors, and a virtual or quasi-virtual business model for capital efficiency.

Maple Flavored Solutions develops and executes methods to quantify metabolites so clients can answer biological questions. The company has analyzed thousands of samples from labs around the world. As biologists and analytical chemists, Maple Flavored Solutions will measure what matters most in client samples.

Research is embedded within the academic programs and culture of Marian University as an opportunity for students to engage with faculty mentors in inquiry-based learning. The collaboration with the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) is especially beneficial for expanding the research environment and capabilities for teams engaged in biomedical research from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the College of Arts & Sciences. In particular, the MU Satellite Lab at the IBRI will provide access to cutting-edge instrumentation and animal facilities that will enrich the student experience, while also advancing faculty research programs and increasing competitiveness for extramural funding.

Ourobio is a young synthetic biology and circular economy company. We develop engineered microorganisms to turn industrial byproducts into targeted, low-footprint additives for the chemicals/materials and CPG industries. Our vision is for biomaterials to replace toxic, petroleum-derived chemicals/materials that are difficult to recycle and contribute to many of our world’s environmental and human health issues.

Xylogenics, Inc. is a synthetic biology company that creates valuable, non-consumed, yeast to enable fermentation based production of natural products. Xylogenics is redefining fermentation, starting with a flagship product for the fuel ethanol market. Xylogenics intends to be at the forefront of the bio-chemical movement creating sustainable solutions for a variety of rapidly expanding markets.