The Week of

Exciting news this week from one of our portfolio companies, Immunis!

The company won a $700,000 Grand Prize from the National Academy of Medicine for its experimental treatment IMM01-STEM, which is being developed to combat age-related muscle loss and improve physical function in older adults.

The treatment uses a combination of naturally occurring biological factors designed to stimulate muscle regeneration, support tissue repair, and improve metabolic health.

This award is particularly prestigious because it comes from the National Academy of Medicine, one of the country's most respected scientific institutions and part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Its Healthy Longevity Global Competition attracted innovators from more than 50 countries and territories over seven years, with more than 720 projects receiving early-stage awards. Just 14 winners were selected from 147 applications for the final Grand Prize competition, following a rigorous, multistage evaluation by international experts.

If you want to learn more about Immunis or, more specifically, our take on this very exciting company in our portfolio, feel free to shoot us an email.

TLC BioSciences reported positive Phase 3 results for TLC590, an experimental non-opioid pain medication designed to provide extended relief following surgery.

In a study involving 304 bunion surgery patients, TLC590 significantly reduced pain and opioid use compared with both placebo and Exparel, an existing long-acting anesthetic. Its pain-relieving benefits lasted up to seven days, and the treatment was generally well tolerated, with no drug-related serious adverse events.

The company is now preparing to submit a New Drug Application to the FDA, potentially bringing a longer-lasting, non-opioid alternative for postoperative pain management closer to market. Here’s more: https://substack.com/home/post/p-221237420.

Siemens Healthineers announced a new partnership with Paradromics to develop advanced brain-imaging technology that could improve the precision of brain-computer interface (BCI) implants.

The companies will combine MRI, CT, and other imaging technologies to create detailed, patient-specific brain maps, helping surgeons identify optimal implant locations while avoiding critical blood vessels.

Paradromics has already shown promising early results with its Connexus BCI, including a patient who could select words and answer questions in real time. The partnership will initially focus on restoring speech and communication, with plans to eventually expand into movement and stroke rehabilitation. Check it out: https://substack.com/home/post/p-221244195.

Did you know that focused ultrasound waves may help reduce delusions in people with schizophrenia without surgery or medication?

Researchers at NYU Langone Health conducted a small clinical trial involving a single 10-minute session of MRI-guided ultrasound targeting a specific region deep inside the brain. They found that this session significantly reduced delusion severity compared with a placebo treatment. The improvement lasted for at least seven days, with no serious adverse effects reported.

Unlike conventional brain stimulation techniques, focused ultrasound can precisely target deep brain structures without implanted electrodes. Although the results are preliminary and larger studies are needed, the findings suggest that sound waves could eventually offer a new treatment option for patients whose symptoms persist despite medication. Here’s more: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44384-026-00076-3.