Healthcare’s Once-in-a-Generation Disruption
The cost of healthcare in the United States continues to rise and the availability continues to decline. Healthcare spending accounts for 18% of U.S. GDP, and the costs in the U.S. are the highest in the world, increasing 130% in just the last decade. With this complexity comes an opportunity for entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors. iSelect is focused on finding technologies and innovations that reduce costs, increase accessibility, and improve quality of care.
iSelect Portfolio Companies
iSelect focuses on early-stage healthcare companies that are poised to help push the next healthcare revolution forward. We deliberately invest in companies that can make a positive impact on our society, as well as on the bottom line.
Cocoon Biotech, Inc.
Cocoon Biotech has developed a silk fibroin platform for tunable drug delivery with uses that can improve care across multiple disease states. Learn more… 
Molecular Assemblies
Molecular Assemblies is developing an enzymatic DNA synthesis platform technology, enabling new products in industrial synthetic biology, personalized therapeutics, precision diagnostics, data storage, nanotechnology and more. Molecular Assemblies’ novel enzymatic DNA synthesis platform has the potential to fundamentally transform how we write genetic building blocks with applications across food, healthcare, energy, and beyond. Learn more…
SciBac, Inc.
SciBac is developing a platform technology called MERGE that enables the Company to efficiently combine desired traits of two microbes into one stable hybrid organism through lab-induced directed evolution. Learn more…
Shield Diagnostics Corp.
Shield Diagnostics Corp. (Shield Diagnostics or ‘The Company’) has developed a proprietary genotyping platform technology that substantially reduces the time and cost of genetic testing while maintaining the highest degree of accuracy. Depending on the comparative test, the Company’s technology can achieve a 16-500x improvement on cost and an 8-16x hourly reduction in time while maintaining 99.5% accuracy. The company drives down cost and increases efficiency by combining three core technologies: high-density/reusable arrays, custom phosphoramidite chemistry and a fully automated and customized microfluidics system. Shield Diagnostics’ competitors have business models built on individual tests that generate revenue from consumables. Since Shield Diagnostics has the ability to run multiple tests on reusable components, it can reduce costs and scale volume at levels not achievable by the competition. Shield Diagnostics’ platform technology has applicability across a variety of sample types (blood, urine, saliva, plant & animal samples) and industries. Shield Diagnostics will enter the market in 2H 2018 as a CLIA approved laboratory developed test (LDT), allowing them to bypass the lengthier process required for PMA or 510k approval. The company plans to first target the $28 billion sexually transmitted infection (STI) market, representing 20 million new STI infections each year. Potential future applications include low-cost, blood-based cancer diagnostic testing, infectious disease testing for tuberculosis & MRSA, animal breeding optimization, plant genotyping, and direct-to-consumer genetic testing. Shield Diagnostics is raising $6 million in Series A preferred equity at a $15 million pre-money valuation co-led by Andreesen Horowitz and Refactor Capital. Proceeds from the Series A round will be used to build out their S&M and R&D teams, R&D associated expenses, and laboratory operations. Learn more…
Nix, Inc.
Nix is building wearable, disposable biosensors that monitor hydration levels in real time, without the need for electricity or an app. Learn more…
GeneMatters, LLC
GeneMatters is a digital health platform that provides scalable, on-demand genetic counseling to meet the rapidly growing demand for genetic services. Learn more…
Flywheel Exchange, LLC
Flywheel has developed a cloud-based collaboration platform in which scientists across the world can share reproducible science, work together to advance discovery at an accelerated pace, maximize R&D spending efficiency, and unlock the true potential of disruptive technologies. Learn more…
Cofactor Genomics, Inc.
Cofactor Genomics uses proprietary RNA sequencing (“RNA-Seq”) technology and machine learning algorithms to diagnose disease. Learn more…
Entac Medical, Inc.
Entac Medical is developing noninvasive devices for predictive and diagnostic medicine based on a novel, patented, platform technology, Previs Audio Spectral Analysis. Their first product is used to predict post operative ileus after GI surgeries. Learn more…
Neuros Medical, Inc.
Neuros Medical is a medical device company developing electrical nerve block technology to treat chronic pain, particularly neuroma/residual limb pain and chronic post-surgical pain. Learn more…
Indalo Therapeutics
Indalo is a pharmaceutical company developing life-changing treatments for fibrotic diseases. Learn more…
Epharmix, Inc.
Epharmix is a healthcare software company substantially reducing the cost of care for chronic diseases using text messaging. Learn more…
Gila Therapeutics, Inc.
Gila Therapeutics is developing a treatment for obesity using naturally occurring hormones known to induce satiety, leading to weight loss. Learn more…
Euclises Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Euclises Pharmaceuticals is developing novel enzyme (COX-2) inhibitors designed to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy safely Learn more…
Immunophotonics, Inc.
Immunophotonics has developed a minimally invasive therapeutic cancer vaccine for the treatment of metastatic solid tumors. Learn more…
Meet Our Selection Committee
Our Healthcare Selection Committee consists of industry and subject matter experts who help guide iSelect’s investment decisions. With firsthand experience and a true pulse on the industry, we consider these individuals key to our success in finding and investing in healthcare innovation.
Tiffany Osborn holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from University of Houston in Houston, Texas. She earned her medical degree from University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas prior to completin …
Ruchir Sehra, M.D., is a medtech executive with extensive experience in early (private), mid (public), and late stage (acquisition) medical device companies in various health and disease areas. Dr. Sehra currently serves as the CEO and President of Res …
Surekha Trivedi is VP Strategic Development at Danaher. She is a Senior Strategy, M&A, and Product Development Executive with a deep understanding of the life sciences, diagnostics, and healthcare markets. Recognized as a strategy expert and thought le …
Jill Davies is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer for GeneMatters. Jill has more than 20 years’ experience in the genetics field, with leadership in clinical services, telehealth, product development, business development and operations. Prior to f …
Vice President of Research at Matatu, Nathan McNulty is microbiologist with a passion for addressing complex problems in healthcare, nutrition, and agriculture using innovative technologies, carefully conducted science, and teamwork.
Jin-Moo Lee, MD, PhD, is Professor of Neurology, Radiology, and Biomedical Engineering; and Head of the Cerebrovascular Disease Section in the Department of Neurology; Co-Director of the Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washi …
Emily Fassi is a board-certified genetic counselor with experience counseling adults and children about genetic diagnoses and predisposition to genetic conditions. She currently works at the Mountain States Tumor Institute with patients who have a pers …
Dr. David Messina has spent the last 20 years in computational biology and genetics. He worked on the Human Genome Project at Washington University in Saint Louis, mapped disease genes at the University of Chicago, and co-developed the first comprehens …
Dr. Bruce German is a Professor and Chemist of Food Science and Technology at the University of California, Davis and researches the role of fats and other components in the diet. He develops ways to assess health and metabolism in response to foods. M …
Jean Roberson is CFO of Appistry, a big data analytics company focused on supporting precision medicine and next generation healthcare. She has over 25 years of experience in all areas of finance from early-stage venture-funded companies to large corpo …
A regulatory professional with over 27 years of experience in the medical products industry, Melissa currently serves as Founder, President and CTO at Graematter, Inc. and Senior VP Regulatory at Topera. Specialties include regulatory intelligence rese …
Andy Daniels is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Daniels Trading. He oversees the daily operations of the firm, while maintaining his own trading, as well as advising several selected, long-established customers. In everything he does, Andy s …
Dr. Paul D. Olivo, M.D., Ph.D., has been the Chief Scientific Officer of Apath, LLC since 2000 and served as its President. Dr. Olivo is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at BioGenerator, where he previously served as a Senior Entrepreneur-in-Residence. He …
Bobby Sandage is currently President and CEO of Euclises, Chairman of the Board of Immunophotonics, member of the board of directors of EDIS, and a member of the Cultivation Capital life sciences fund investment committee. He was formerly President and …
Lila Solnica-Krezel is professor and head of Developmental Biology at Washington University St. Louis, School of Medicine. She is currently investigating the cellular and molecular genetic mechanisms underlying vertebrate gastrulation, which has pract …
Gian Cavallini oversees the development and execution of Advanced ICU Care’s medical staffing growth strategy and leads the implementation of various initiatives to position the company for continued growth. His expertise in development and operations, …
Mr. Don Imholz is a business executive/leader with diverse experience in Operations and IT, extensive Board involvement, and a strong track record of creating sustainable competitive advantage. His expertise in cybersecurity, big data, digital transfor …
Presently leading Arch Cancer Care as Medical Director, Dr. Beat is a local expert in collaborative prostate cancer management. At a national level, he contributes to physician leadership committees within the US Oncology Network. Having earned an exec …
Mr. Beuttenmuller possesses over 30 years experience in Corporate Finance with Emerson Electric, Esse Health, Essence Healthcare and Innovare. He is experienced in financial analysis, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, new business development, …
Professor of Internal Medicine – Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation at UUniversity of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and former Professor of Medicine and Genetics at Washington University School of Medicine …
Dr. John Talley, Chief Science Officer for Euclises Pharmaceuticals and SARmont, brings over thirty years experience and a record as one of the world’s most successful medicinal chemists. He is best known as the co-inventor of the blockbuster COX-2 in …
Dr. Rutter is founder and CEO of Metaphase Design Group, a design firm serving industrial, commercial and consumer product and packaging clients internationally. He is an acknowledged specialist in ergonomic product design and a leading worldwide expe …
Mark has served as ProteoSense’s CEO since 2013. Previously, Mark served as CEO/COO of several startups, including Assurex Health (2006-09). Mark earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Univ. of Dayton and an M.S. Electrical Engineering from O …
Dr. Panagos is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Neurology at Washington University in St Louis. He is a 1987 graduate of Dartmouth College. In 1994, he completed his medical education at Emory University. Following a year of surgical training at N …
Before joining OTMIR in 2016, Brian Buntaine worked for more than 15 years in the life sciences industry. He began his career as a lab manager at Washington University in St. Louis. In 2003, Brian joined Sigma-Aldrich where he worked as a research and …
Dr. Raghavan brings several years of experience managing preclinical safety and efficacy studies for biologicals and small molecule therapeutics and managing strategic alliances with biotech and pharmaceutical companies. His expertise includes postdoct …
Edwards was employed for 42 years in the pharmaceutical and life sciences arenas. From 1990 to 2010, he held Regulatory Affairs positions of increasing responsibility at TAP/Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Lake Forest, Illinois. Betwe …
Michael Nichols, Ph.D. presently serves as an investor and C level management for various startups. He serves as an Analyst for Vinlogx, a platform that acquires, stores, and analyses internal vehicle information enabling solutions across multiple auto …
David Christenson joined BioGenerator as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence in 2015 focusing primarily on healthcare and specifically in information technology, care delivery and payment, and services. Over a 30-year career, David has developed a substantive …
Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine
An accomplished senior executive with start-ups, growth, and turn-around organizations, Renato developed a healthcare technology corporation, HealthTech Solutions, from a small start-up of 3 people to a national provider of technical solutions to healt …
Resources and News
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Solving the Public Health Crisis by Making Healthy Nutrition as Addictive as Sugar
This Rare Disease Day, Let’s Do More
Are We Really Ready for Genetic Testing?
There’s a lot we still don’t know about the power of genetic testing. For one thing, it’s becoming more powerful than ever expected. Already, patients can get gene-based information about their cancer risk, for instance, as well as details about genetic disorders that might impact their children, autism diagnoses, and more.
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Enabling the Next Generation of Healthcare IT
It’s been a long time coming, but technology is finally transforming the healthcare industry, enabling functions and services that were all but unimaginable just a few years ago. Case in point: data.
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Who Has Your DNA? Why Data Privacy Is the Next Battleground in Consumer Genetics
Genetics is changing the world as we know it, and not only in the realm of healthcare and medical science. Whether it’s 23andMe delivering specific details about our ancestry, genetic science being used to united people who have been switched at birth, or even DNA information being used to catch the Golden State Killer, there is much that genomics can now accomplish.
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Humanity Is Dehydrated, and It Doesn’t Even Know It Yet
One thing is for sure: we’re not drinking enough water. None of us. And it’s damaging our health. That was the message of a recent article in The New York Times.
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Dehydration Nation: Preventing One of the Most Common Health Risks in Real-Time
Up to three-fourths of Americans are chronically dehydrated, and the condition can be far more debilitating than it might seem. Mild dehydration — literally, not drinking enough water on a day-to-day basis — can impair cognitive performance by up to 20%, affecting reaction time, mental accuracy and memory. More severe cases, however, can result can result in seizures, brain damage, shock, and death.
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RNA Is Becoming the New DNA, Opening New Doors in Medicine
If a person’s DNA is the roadmap of their lifetime health, their RNA is more of a real-time barometer, recording what happens in their body on a minute-by-minute basis. Our DNA stores and transfers genetic information, but remains little changed throughout our lives. At best, it can tell us about the probability we will someday develop various diseases — whether or not we will get cancer, for instance, or be susceptible to diabetes or heart disease — but it can’t tell us much about our current health.
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Flywheel: Accelerating Discoveries By Creating an App Store for Science
Flywheel is building an archive of scientific developments, methods and tools so that future researchers will be able to build on those discoveries.
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GeneMatters: How Genetic Testing Is Pushing Us Toward Medicine’s Next Frontier
Genetic testing has gone mainstream — consider examples like 23andMe and even Ancestry.com, which both offer genetic analysis by mail — and the market is on track to exceed $10 billion in the next several years.
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