Tucson biotech startup selected for entrepreneurship program

The local startups selected for Flynn’s 2024 Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program are:

• BioBolt Medical Corp. has patented a new type of surgical staple to hold surgical mesh in place.
• Oro Valley-based Macula Vision Systems develops microscopy technology that automates clinical laboratory analysis and artificial intelligence-based interpretation.
• Metfora Diagnostics is promoting metabolite-targeted blood tests to diagnose four lung diseases.and
• Precision Epigenomics has developed a one-time blood draw test to diagnose multiple types of cancer earlier and more accurately.

The other two startups selected for the program’s 11th group are Dr. Fossum’s Pet Care. Dr. Fossum’s Pet Care is a Carefree-based company developing new natural treatments for dog itching. Phoenix-based Dx4Liver Inc. develops blood tests for liver disease.

The selected startups will each receive $30,000 through the Arizona Bioindustry Association. The Arizona Bioindustry Association is a program partner and will also help companies develop personalized learning plans and provide other support services.

These startups will also receive a one-year membership on the Arizona Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee, which guides the state’s long-term strategic plan, the Arizona Bioscience Roadmap, led by Flynn.

All four Tucson-area Flynn program participants are being nurtured by the school’s high-tech business incubator, the UA Center for Innovation.

BioBolt, Macula Vision Systems, and Metfora are currently members of UACI, and BioBolt and Metfora were founded around technology developed at UA.

Precision Epigenomics, which launched as DesertDx in 2019 with support from Tech Launch Arizona, is a UACI alumnus.

Since the Flynn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program’s inception, nine other UACI startups have been selected for the program.