A North Carolina State University chemistry professor wants to change the MRI – and his idea is gaining traction.
Vizma Life Sciences, a startup out of the lab of Thomas Theis, just won the top dollar prize at N.C. State's eGames event. But the win in the $25,000 Dougherty Challenge is just a fraction of the more than $1 million in Small Business Innovation Research and other grants the firm has accumulated.
Theis said the real value of the eGames prize is the reputation boost, critical in a region with so many innovation resources.
Vizma deals in complex science. Theis said it started from an in-lab investigation on how to create very large signal enhancements for molecules. The resulting technology could allow doctors to see molecules of very low concentrations in patients – something impossible with current MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) systems.
“We really are after an evolution in MRI technology that makes it more precise, but also more affordable,” Theis said.
Today’s MRIs look at the structure of the organs, he said. What they're not looking at is the biochemistry – the way vitamins, for example, are metabolized. That could soon change with Vizma’s technology, Theis said.
Vizma has already used its recent grant infusion to hire its first full-time employee. If all goes as Theis is expecting, a real prototype could be developed within two years.
“We can show that prototype to investors, venture capitalists,” he said.
Vizma won the top dollar prize – the Daugherty Challenge track, which is only open to startup companies which have licensed intellectual property from N.C. State University. But a slew of younger Wolfpack startups were also recognized at the pitch competition this week.
As with Vizma, medical-oriented innovation proved to be the big winner in terms of dollars.
Spir Medical won the “Think” category while Wolfpack Medical took home the prize in the “Do” category.
Spir Medical is rethinking the bag valve mask currently used by first responders with what it calls a Dynamic Internal Volume Actuator that utilizes sensors to help medical professionals better ventilate patients. Wolfpack’s specially-designed tourniquet, called the Wolfpack Medical Sawyer Junctional Tourniquet, is targeted for military use.
Golf-focused Straight Shot won the Audience’s Choice Award.
The eGames first debuted in 2009.
