ASTeCC-AgTeCC Incubator Companies

ASTeCC Companies

Advanced Semiconductor Processing Technology
Zhi David Chen
Based on research by Zhi David Chen, Center for Nanoscale Science & Engineering
Begun as a home business in 2008, Advanced Semiconductor Processing Technology registered with the state in February 2011 and moved into ASTeCC. The company's current product is dew point sensors, which is based upon research on semiconductor processing technology and its applications on electronic devices including sensors and transistors. Advanced Semiconductor Processing Technology has also developed a new type of moisture sensor called alpha-Al2O3 based dew point.

BrainChem
Peter Huettl
Based on research from the Center for Microelectrode Technology, Greg Gerhardt director, Peter Huettl assistant director
Developing a new generation of clinical diagnostic devices for patients with epilepsy and traumatic brain injury.

Brockman Hastings
Todd Hastings, CEO, 859.576.4951

DermVantage
Dr. Sybille Muller, 859.533.7287
DermVantage is developing transfollicular delivery of biological agents for the cosmetic and medical industries. The company is exploring using its technology to treat hyperhidrosis and cancer.

Escent Technologies
Bill Dieter
Based on the research of Rob Lodder / pharmacy
Escent Technologies is developing and manufacturing a sensing device that will be used to analyze organic substances. The device will initially be used by law enforcement to identify unknown substances such as pills and powders. Other potential markets include food safety, raw material analysis, environmental and medical applications. Escent was co-founded in 2009 by UK engineering students and now president and CEO Robert Billingsley.

Exatherm
Scott Merz
Exatherm is developing a medical device that can apply heat to localized areas on patients to treat lung, colon, pancreatic and other forms of cancer. The process has been shown to selectively kill cancer cells and enhance the effects of certain chemotherapy drugs without damaging normal tissues. The company is planning a clinical trial with lung cancer patients at the University of Kentucky in late 2012 with a novel whole body circulatory hyperthermia system.

Invenio Therapeutics
Mukesh Agarwal, President, 216.496.9053

Kentucky Space
Kris Kimel and Mahendra Jain
Kentucky Space involves select Kentucky universities, including UK and Morehead State University, focused on small entrepreneurial and educational space solutions. Kentucky Space is owned by the Kentucky Science &Technology Corporation.

Minerva Systems & Technologies
Kalyan Ganesan, Chief Technology Officer, 401.855.6721

Nano-Mite Technologies
Based on research by Patrick Sullivan / SCoBIRC and anatomy & neurobiology
R&D to control obesity using nanotechnology to alter the body's metabolic rate and increase the cell's ability to convert sugar to energy. Research could lead to future breakthroughs in the treatment of traumatic central nervous system damage and neurodegenerative disorders.

PureLight Labs
Steve Mullane
PureLight Labs is a leading supplier of an innovative, high performing and cost effective liquid high-refractive index technology platform designed to improve the capture of light. Their unique liquid thin film technology provides a significant competitive advantage by offering a highly differentiated approach to the standard chemical vapor deposition processes, and emerging high cost and unstable nanoparticle technology formulations. PureLight Labs' technology is demonstrating best in class results in both optical performance and stability.

Scout Diagnostics
John Beran, CEO & Co-founder
Based on research by founding scientists Mark Lovell and Bert Lynn / chemistry and the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
Scout Diagnostics was founded in 2006 to develop and market a new early diagnostic test for Alzheimer's disease. The testing kit will identify certain protein complexes in cerebral spinal fluid which serve as biomarkers to detect Alzheimer's prior to clinical diagnosis. In addition to their faculty appointments in the chemistry department, co-founder Mark Lovell is affiliated with the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and has a joint appointment in the College of Medicine and Bert Lynn is the director of the UK Mass Spectrometry Center.

Seikowave
Based on research by Daniel Lau / Center for Visualization & Virtual Environments
Seikowave is developing three dimensional imaging technologies targeted at medical, security and industrial imaging applications. Seikowave's patent-pending optical architectures combined with Daniel Lau's (UK Center for Visualization & Virtual Environments) patent-pending machine vision algorithms enable high performance, low cost 3D imaging solutions capable of capturing human motion in real time. Seikowave, with offices in the U.S. and Japan, is working with global healthcare, security and semiconductor companies to bring these imaging solutions to market.

Synergetic Technologies
Based on research by M.P. Menguc / mechanical engineering
Develops scientific instrumentation and software for the accurate characterization (particle shape or agglomerate structure) of nano or sub-micron sized particles. Licensed its particle characterization technology to Horiba Inc., Japan, a major manufacturer of analytical instruments in 2007.

Therix Medical
Therix Medical is a for-profit company founded by Kentucky Technology Inc., UK's for-profit corporation, for the purpose of commercializing medical device and diagnostic concepts originating in the six colleges that support UK HealthCare. Therix works with UKCED's Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship on clinician innovation and commercialization.

Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals
Transposagen is the worldwide leader in the creation of unique genetically modified rat models. The company's signature product, TKOTM Knockout Rat Models, mimic human diseases and are used for drug discovery and development research. The production of animal models is a $1.2 billion a year market.

Vindico NanoBioTechnology
Eric Ostertag, 859.218.6568
Vindico applies proprietary polymersome technology to develop and commercialize diagnostic and therapeutic applications focusing on the transfusion medicine market.

W-Z Biotech
Cherry Croft
W-Z Biotech, founded in 2009 by Dr. Jay Zwischenberger, surgery, and Dr. Dongfang Wang, cardiothoracic surgery, specializes in the development of novel medical devices for cardiopulmonary surgery and hyperthermia delivery systems for lung cancer therapy.

AgTeCC Companies

Naprogenix
Based on research by John Littleton / molecular pharmacology and plant genomics
Commercialized technology that enables bio-prospecting (screening) of Kentucky native plants and mutant plants for molecules that could lead to plant-based medicines and natural insecticides. Founded in 2002, the company's current focus is on non-toxic insecticides, CNS-acting drugs and chemotherapeutic agents.

Oraceuticals
Based on research by Jeff Ebersole / dentistry
Uses the latest biotechnologies to develop drugs that advance oral treatment and improve oral health. Focuses on producing novel bioactive molecules that target chronic oral infections and control inflammation.