AcelleRX develops regenerative medicine technologies for treatment of cardiovascular disease and other ischemic disorders. AcelleRX was founded based on the discoveries of Marc Penn, M.D., Ph.D., the director of Cleveland Clinic’s Bakken Heart-Brain Institute. Its lead product, Stromal Cell Derived Factor 1 (SDF-1) has been shown to increase cardiac function post-myocardial infarction (MI) through preventing cell death and promoting revascularization. The company has recently received a $1.5 million seed investment from Jump Start, Inc., the North Coast Angel Fund, X-Gen, and Blue Chip Ventures. AcelleRX will use the investment and a GCIC Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center grant to prepare for a Phase 1 Clinical Trial of using SDF-1 to treat patients post-MI. AcelleRX is currently raising a Series A round to fund the clinical trial.

PeriTec develops innovative vascular products using peritoneul tissue, in two implantable products – peripheral vascular stents and vascular patches. Peritec’s first product is a Peritoneal Lined Stent (PLS) for treatment of Superficial Femoral Artery (SFA) stenoses. A First-in-Man South American study has been initiated. 20 subjects have had the PLS implanted into their SFA. Results have been exceptionally positive. Other target markets include Transhepatic Intrajugular Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS), tibials, Saphenous Vein Grafts (SVGs), stenosed dialysis access grafts and pediatric Right Ventricular Outflow Tract (RVOTs). PeriTec is seeking strategic collaborations.

Lifecore Biomedical licensed Cleveland Clinic’s hyaluronan-based cross-linking technology to be the basis for products in aesthetics, orthopedics, ophthalmology and a variety of other applications. Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists, under the direction of Principal Inventor Anthony Calabro, Ph.D., have performed animal studies in several applications with encouraging results. Novel features include biocompatibility, versatility and the ability to cross-link in situ. The biomaterial is formed through a chemical reaction, catalyzed by a naturally occurring molecule, providing formula- tions that are stable, well-tolerated, and able to mimic the function of many tissues, resulting in tissue repair and reinforcement.

The $250 million Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center (GCIC) was established in February 2007 to develop and commercialize new cardiovascular products that will be brought to market both by established partner companies and new, investor backed enterprises that the GCIC will help to create. Its clinical focus is congestive heart failure and its two major causes – atherosclerotic vascular disease and valvular heart disease. The GCIC was launched with a $60 million State of Ohio 3rd Frontier Grant. The balance of its support will come through investors, federal grants, company partners and donations of research support and intellectual property. While pursuing its commitment to be a leader in the cardiovascular industry, the GCIC will also work expand Ohio’s industrial, technological and clinical base by creating new cardiovascular companies and recruiting existing companies to establish operations in Ohio. Its 65,000 square foot state of the art business accelerator will be open in 2009.

The Atrial Fibrillation Innovation Center’s (AFIC) principal goal is the development and implementation of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for atrial fibrillation. These outcomes will result from internally initiated research programs, federal research support, and industrially-sponsored investigations. AFIC’s comprehensive R&D program includes new surgical AF treatment approaches; minimally invasive catheter-based techniques; and a mechanistic understanding of AF pathologies through translational studies of genetic, biochemical and cellular mechanisms. The scope of its program and partnerships has grown each month from the Center’s inception. AFIC was established through corporate and federal support and a State of Ohio 3rd Frontier Grant.