SU student startup MedUX was one of six teams selected for the prestigious CNY Biotech Accelerator (CNYBAC) 2019 Medical Device Innovation Challenge (MDIC), an intensive 6-month mentorship accelerator program that starts August 1, 2019. MedUX was founded by Alec Gillinder ’20 (College of Visual and Performing Arts) and Quinn King ’20 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), both industrial and interaction design majors who conceived of the idea at last summer’s Invent@SU program. They participated in the CNYBAC bootcamp program last fall and are working closely with the Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars at SU Libraries to commercialize the device.
Upstate Medical University’s CNYBAC is a 52,300 square foot facility located in an Opportunity Zone in Syracuse, providing startups with state-of-the-art laboratory space, access to their facilities and research expertise, and a vibrant and robust innovation ecosystem. Teams selected for the program can utilize the CNYBAC’s Creation Garage, which includes use of 3D printer and other supplies and equipment, and will have access to a mentor network that includes industry experts and funders. MDIC teams also have access to the Innovation Law Center at Syracuse University College of Law for intellectual property and commercialization guidance. Additionally, teams are invited to apply to student engineering capstone programs at Syracuse University and Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario. They are supported by Upstate Medical University clinical experts, and a pitch event is held at the conclusion of the 6-month program.
The six 2019 Medical Device Innovation Challenge teams are:
- MedUX
- ZephyRx
- Halamine, Inc.
- Megan Thomas
- CathBuddy, Inc.
- Revitalx
MedUX is a medical product design and research firm creating innovative solutions for inpatient, at home, and mobile care. Its first product is L-IV (Liberating Intravenous), a shoulder mounted portable IV system that allows people in hospital, infusion center, or home settings, or in military or disaster situations, to receive IV treatment comfortably and efficiently without being tethered to an IV pole.
Gillinder and Quinn won second place nationally in the prestigious ACC InVenture Prize competition earlier this spring at North Carolina State University. They also won prizes at several other SU competitions, including top prize at this year’s Panasci Business Plan Competition and prizes at ‘Cuse Tank, Impact Prize, and the RvD iPrize competitions.
The team has built a prototype, raised seed funding, won $57,000 in campus competitions, assembled an advisory team of industry, medical and product development experts, filed two provisional patents, and developed strategic relationships with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consultants and commercialization partners who are ready to help take the product to market. Gillinder and King are now seeking mission-driven investors to help them through the FDA Class I approval process, usability testing, and production.
The CNYBAC has a strong connection to Syracuse University. This is the second year an SU student startup was selected for the competitive MDIC accelerator program. In-Spire (2018 cohort) and MedUX (2019 cohort) are both active members of the Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad, won numerous campus competitions as students, and advanced to the ACC InVenture Prize finals. Last year, In-Spire, founded by Kayla Simon ’19 (College of Engineering and Computer Science) and Elizabeth Tarangelo ’19 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), won the top prize at the MDIC demo day for their invention.
For more information about the CNYBAC, visit https://www.cnybac.com/.
About the Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars at Syracuse University Libraries:
The Blackstone LaunchPad in Bird Library is Syracuse University’s innovation hub, connecting the entire University’s resource-rich ecosystem with a global network that provides support for aspiring entrepreneurs, inventors and creators. The program serves faculty, staff, students, and alumni across disciplines who are interested in venture creation and taking ideas for products, services or technologies from concept to commercialization. The program prepares participants to be trailblazers in an entrepreneurial world.