A growing number of researchers are transitioning from the traditional academic route to entrepreneurship. In doing so, these individuals often find themselves in unexpected leadership roles. Prior to Noxopharm, I spent a significant amount of time as a medical researcher at The University of Sydney and developed a scientific hypothesis that led me to enter the biotechnology industry and ultimately found several companies, serving as their CEO.

Synaptive Medical is developing a magnetic resonance imaging system that aims to provide the imaging technology directly at the point of care. The Nova Scotia Halifax Authority is collaborating on the project to develop the head-only MRI—called Evry—with Synaptive Medical, a designer of surgical planning and navigation technologies. The technology will be worked on and tested at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Pennsylvania-based health company Orchestra BioMed has obtained FDA breakthrough device designation for its Virtue sirolimus-eluting balloon (SEB), according to a statement issued April 24. Virtue SEB, a drug/device combination product that delivers sustained-released bioabsorbable nanoparticle-encapsulated sirolimus directly to a patient’s artery during balloon angioplasty, works without the need for a drug coating, Orchestra said. It’s intended for use in individuals with coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR), a complication that comprises more than 10% of total interventional cardiology procedures.

We spoke with Robert Geho, CEO of Diasome Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — www.diasome.com — about its nanotechnology additive that delivers insulin to the liver where it can substantially improve T1D glucose control.