Every year, TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield competition attracts thousands of applicants. We narrow these applications down to the top 200 contenders, and of those, the top 20 compete on the big stage to become the winner, taking home the Startup Battlefield Cup and a $100,000 cash prize. But the remaining 180 startups all blew us away in their respective categories and are competing in their own competition.
Here’s the full list of biotech and pharmaceutical Startup Battlefield 200 picks, along with a note on why they landed in the competition.
CasNx
What it does: CasNx has invented a new type of antiviral treatment for organs from organ donors.
Why it’s notable: The startup has invented a CRISPR gene-editing kit that eliminates viruses and installs “universal donor” markers while keeping the organ outside the body.
Chipiron
What it does: Chipiron manufactures a lightweight and inexpensive, open, full-body MRI machine intended to make MRI cancer diagnosis more widely available.
Why it’s notable: The medical MRI machine is built using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), a highly sensitive magnetometer that can measure extremely weak magnetic fields, most often used in array antennas.
Exactics
What does he do?: Exactics is building a platform that creates rapid diagnostic tests.
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Why it’s notable: Exactics is working to make consumer diagnostic kits more widely available, starting with home testing for Lyme disease, with kits for other diseases on the roadmap.
Lumos Strategies OÜ
What does he do?: Lumos has created a consumer high-frequency electromagnetic device called Avara that targets red blood cells.
Why it’s notable: Avara is designed to provide gentle, non-contact ‘induction therapy’ to improve sleep, relaxation and recovery during exercise.
Miracles
What it does: Miraqules has developed a nanotechnology powder that mimics blood-clotting proteins.
Why it’s notable: This technology provides immediate blood clotting and is a unique, potentially life-saving alternative to traditional wound treatments, particularly when treating patients at the scene of injury.
Nephrogen
What does he do?: Nephrogen creates gene therapy solutions for kidney disease.
Why it’s notable: Nephrogen solves the hardest part of the problem when it comes to gene editing drugs. Its technology uses artificial intelligence to precisely target gene editing to the exact kidney cells that cause the disease.
PraxisPro
What it does: PraxisPro is an AI-powered training system for sales and marketing roles in life sciences industries.
Why it’s notable: The system provides compliance-approved content, complete with simulations and real-time analysis to ensure that those representing life sciences companies are properly prepared to do so.
Reme-D
What it does: Reme-D develops reliable and affordable diagnostic tests specifically targeted at underserved communities.
Why it’s notable: Reme-D develops rapid diagnostic tests that are not only highly affordable but also stable in hot and humid climates.
Surgical Technologies
What it does: Surgicure has created a patented solution that more safely and reliably secures endotracheal tubes (ETs).
Why it’s notable: This device makes ET tubes, the flexible tubes inserted through the mouth or nose during surgery or other treatments, safer and more comfortable for patients.
