As temperatures drop in Utah and Fall seems to be right around the corner, I’m reminded that we’ve been building Altitude Lab for four years. My heart is full going into our fifth year, we continue to build a thriving ecosystem of health care startups that push the boundaries of innovation and challenge preconceptions of what successful founders look like.
After a record number of applications, we are welcoming a new cohort of companies. These startups are addressing critical needs in the sector, from improving patient outcomes and developing new therapeutic modalities to making diagnostics more accessible. Each company’s unique approach underscores the diversity of thought and expertise that is driving the future of health care, right here in Utah.
Freyya is at the forefront of changing the paradigm of women’s health with its pioneering wearable technology for pelvic floor rehabilitation. Founded by Stefan Niederauer, a first-employee of Altitude alum Rebel Medicine, and serial entrepreneur, Gabi Nieuderauer, Freyya is developing the first real-time biofeedback device that measures pelvic floor support and transmits the data to a smart device to guide physical therapy and recovery. Freyya offers a much-needed solution for millions of women who need better understanding and control over their health. Women’s health is an area that has historically been underrepresented in medicine and underfunded–we are thrilled to start changing that narrative.
Conduit Bio is redefining how researchers approach experiments with their cutting-edge use of multimodal data and AI. Founder Jamie Cartland aims to significantly increase the success rate of experiments, allowing scientists to visualize and share insights at ten times the speed — all without coding or specialized software. By streamlining collaboration and enhancing research efficiency, Conduit Bio sets a new standard in the life sciences, fostering a culture of rapid growth and discovery.
When you take a medicine, your body is going to metabolize it. Therapeutic companies spend years trying to optimize how medicines are handled by our bodies’ natural processes. Sethera is advancing therapeutic discovery with its unique peptide research and development platform. Founded by Karsten Eastman and Vahe Bandarian, who began the company at the University of Utah, combines technologies to create unique peptide structures that increase metabolic stability and revolutionize the bioavailability of therapeutics. By integrating AI, mRNA display, and phage display technology, Sethera is accelerating the development of innovative therapies.
Light Hope Diagnostics is on a mission to revolutionize cancer detection. Launched by Raushan Singh, who after building his career at Co-Diagnostics researching cancer detection, couldn’t shake the itch to bring his own ideas to patients. By harnessing the power of liquid biopsy to detect cancer-specific RNAs, they are making early cancer detection affordable and accessible, particularly in low — and middle-income countries. This new approach has the potential to save countless lives by enabling earlier intervention and treatment, a critical need in regions where health care resources are limited.
After seeing the success of Altitude alumnus, Rebel Medicine, we were excited to bring on Anziva. Anziva is innovating drug formulations to improve patient outcomes globally. Their focus on redesigning existing medications to enhance performance, reduce side effects, and improve stability at lower costs is a testament to their commitment to global patient well-being. It was founded by Simerdeep Singh Gupta, who has over nine years of industry experience that led him to start his own company in drug development. Anziva addresses the growing demand for high-quality, cost-effective health care solutions by making treatments more effective and affordable.
A decade ago, I watched scientists 3D print muscle tissue at Stanford. The limitations then were a lack of knowledge on the diversity of cell types and how they interfaced. I was nearly jumping out of my seat when I saw that founder Daniel Rodriguez-Granrose had developed vascularized brain tissue. Intactis Bio is revolutionizing biocomputation and regenerative medicine through its novel tissue engineering methods. Daniel has extensive experience in the bioprocess development industry and is fabricating intact tissues. His first target — engineered brain tissue — holds immense promise for both medical and computation industries. IntactisBio is setting the stage for a new era of medical advancements by pushing the boundaries of what is possible in tissue engineering.
Developing non-invasive electromagnet and targeted gene stimulation therapies, Vira Regen is the first to be admitted to Altitude Lab after developing the company in Altitude’s pre-incorporation program, Blue Sky. CEO and founder Kapil Sharma is a current program manager here at Altitude Lab with over seven years of bioengineering expertise. He and his team are working to develop therapies and devices best suited for bone fracture healing, musculoskeletal injuries, osteoarthritis/ osteoporosis, and cancer. With their extensive research, Vira Regen aims to improve recovery and healing for patients.
As we welcome these innovative startups to Altitude Lab, we are most excited about the momentum of growth. Each company brings a unique perspective and expertise to our community and economy, contributing to a certain dynamism that I’ve been anticipating for years now. At Altitude Lab, we are committed to providing the resources, connections, and support these startups need to succeed. Follow along on our journey to transform Utah’s health care industry and connect with these inspiring founders as they advance their innovations. Which company are you most excited to follow along with?
