VPA student startup MedUX was one of six teams selected for the prestigious CNY Biotech Accelerator (CNYBAC) 2019 Medical Device Innovation Challenge (MDIC), and intensive mentorship program that starts August 1, 2019. MedUX was founded by Alec Gillinder ’20 (College of Visual and Performing Arts) and Quinn King ’20 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), both industrial and interaction design majors who conceived of the idea at last summer’s Invent@SU program, and are working closely with the Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars at SU Libraries to commercialize the device. They participated in the CNYBAC bootcamp program last fall.
Upstate Medical University’s CNYBAC is a 52,300 square foot facility located in an Opportunity Zone in Syracuse, providing startups with state-of-the-art laboratory space, access to Upstate’s CORE facilities and research expertise, as well as a vibrant and robust innovation ecosystem. Teams selected for the MIND accelerator will be able to utilize the CNYBAC’s Creation Garage, which includes use of 3D printer and additional supplies and equipment, and will have access to a mentor network that includes industry experts and funders.
The CNYBAC has a strong connection to Syracuse University. This is the second year a SU student startup was selected for the competitive MDIC accelerator. In-Spire (2018 cohort) and MedUX (2019 cohort) are both active members of the Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad, won numerous campus competitions as students, and advanced to the ACC InVenture Prize finals. Last year, In-Spire, founded by Kayla Simon ’19 (College of Engineering and Computer Science, and Elizabeth Tarangelo ’19, College of Engineering and Computer Science), won the top prize at the MDIC demo day for their invention.
MDIC teams access the Innovation Law Center at Syracuse University College of Law for IP and commercialization guidance, and the SU LaunchPad serves as a mentor for other teams in the accelerator program. Additionally, teams are invited to apply to student engineering capstone programs at Syracuse University and Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario. They also gain support from Upstate Medical University clinical experts. A pitch event is held at the conclusion of the 6-month program.
The 2019 Medical Device Innovation Challenge teams are:
- MedUX
- ZephyRx
- Halamine, Inc.
- Megan Thomas
- CathBuddy, Inc.
- Revitalx
MedUX is a medical product design and research firm creating innovative solutions for inpatient, at home, and mobile care. Its first product is L-IV (Liberating Intravenous), a shoulder mounted portable IV system that allows people in hospital, infusion center, or home settings, or in military or disaster situations, to receive IV treatment comfortably and efficiently without being tethered to an IV pole.
Gillinder and Quinn won second place nationally in the prestigious ACC InVenture Prize competition earlier this spring at NC State University. They also won top prize at this year’s Panasci Business Plan Competition as well as campus prizes at ‘Cuse Tank, Impact Prize and the RvD iPrize.
The team has built a prototype, raised seed funding, won $57,000 in campus competitions, assembled an advisory team of industry, medical and product development experts, filed two provisional patents, and developed strategic relationships with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consultants and commercialization partners who are ready to help take the product to market. Gillinder and King are now seeking mission-driven investors to help take them through the FDA Class I process, usability testing and production.
Learn more about the CNYBAC: https://www.cnybac.com/