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Biotech Innovation Gallery

Go BIG! UC Davis Biotech Innovation Gallery

Join us for a premier showcase uniting entrepreneurs, investors, industry and UC Davis researchers to spark collaboration and discovery.

Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Presentations & Networking: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM PST

BIG Startup Showcase and Reception: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST

Venue: Chandran Gallery, 459 Geary St., San Francisco, CA 94102

View Agenda

This year, the Biotech Innovation Gallery is growing! The UC Davis Innovation and Economic Development Office is bringing you an expanded program spotlighting the translational research, startups, and bold innovations emerging from UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and our new innovation district, Aggie Square.

The BIG Agenda

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BIG Innovation (9 AM - 3 PM)

Join us for brief presentations and ample networking opportunities related to our Cell & Gene Therapy Program, promising translational research, and some of the South Korean startups associated with UC Davis' partnership with FLANN, Inc.

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BIG Break (9 AM - 3:30 PM)

Stop by any time after 9:00 AM to take a BIG break between your meetings. Use this time to recharge with some coffee and snacks while meeting with entrepreneurs, investors, and UC Davis innovators.

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BIG Startup Showcase (4 - 6 PM)

The UC Davis Innovation and Economic Development Office BIG Startup Showcase and Reception provides an opportunity for strategic partners and potential investors to engage with UC Davis innovators and their startups via elevator pitches.

The Biotech Innovation Gallery Agenda

Click on each section below to view the full schedule for each track.

  • BIG Break (Coffee and Networking)
  • From 9 am to 3:30 pm, enjoy coffee and the opportunity to network with other Biotech Innovation Gallery attendees.

    Add this track to your calendar!
  • Korean Biotechnology Accelerator Program at Aggie Square
  • 9:00 - 10:00 am: Networking and Introduction by UC Davis Health Ventures' Chief Ventures Officer, Don Taylor
    10:00 - 10:45 am: Korean Biotechnology Company Pitches
    - Foretell My Health
    - NEAR Brain
    - Neuracle Science

    10:45 - 11:00 am: UC Davis and FLANN Korean Biotechnology Accelerator Program at Aggie Square 
    - HJ Kim, CEO of Flann Inc.
    - George Baxter, Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer for UC Davis

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  • Cell and Gene Therapy Program
  • 10:30 - 11:00 am: Networking
    11:00 - 11:05 am: Opening Remarks: UC Davis Health Cell and Gene Therapy Initiative 
    - Ron Amodeo, Chief Strategy Officer, UC Davis Health

    11:05 - 11:10 am: UC Davis Health Cell and Gene Therapy Center 
    - Jan Nolta, Director, Cell and Gene Therapy Center, UC Davis Health

    11:10 - 11:15 am: UC Davis Health CGT Manufacturing 
    - Brian Fury, Director, GMP Facility, UC Davis Health

    11:15 - 11:20 am: UC Davis Health CGT Clinical Trials and Alpha Stem Cell Clinic
    - Mehrdad Abedi, Director of CGT Clinical Innovation, UC Davis Health

    11:20 - 11:30 am: CGT Technology Portfolio #1 - Gene Therapies
    - Kyle Fink, Associate Professor - Gene Editing Systems, UC Davis Health
    - Dave Segal, Professor - Gene Regulatory Platforms, UC Davis Health

    11:30 - 11:50 am: CGT Technology Portfolio #2 - Cell Based Therapeutics 
    - Fernando Fierro, Associate Professor - Engineered MSCs, UC Davis Health
    - Cheemeng Tan, Professor - Hydrogelated Cells, UC Davis Health
    - Tom Ambrosi, Assistant Professor - Bone and Cartilage Regeneration, UC Davis Health
    - Aijun Wang, Professor - Stem Cell Patch for Spina Bifida, UC Davis Health

    11:50 am - 12:00 pm: Closing Remarks and Transition to Networking
    - Austin Mogen, CGT Program Officer and Business Development Director

    12:00 - 12:30 pm: Networking

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  • UC Davis Research Innovation Highlights
  • 12:30 - 1:00 pm: Networking

    Oncology:
    1:00 - 1:05 pm: UC Davis Health's Translational Research Engine
    - Kim Barrett, Vice Dean for Research and Distinguished Professor of Physiology and Membrane Biology, UC Davis School of Medicine

    1:05 - 1:10 pm: UC Davis Health Oncology Research Innovation and Collaborations 
    - Xiao-Jing Wang, Professor, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Chief Science Officer, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center 

    1:10 - 1:25 pm: Oncology Technology Portfolio
    - Jogender Tushir-Singh - Tumor-Specific Fas Epitope Targeting Antibodies 
    - Jin Zhang - Small Molecule Therapy Targeting the eIF4G-Mutant p53 Pathway
    - Yoshi Takada - VEGF165-KDR D1 Blockers as Breast Cancer Therapeutics
    - Yuanpei Li - Self-delivering  Autophagy Inhibitors against Therapy-Resistant Cancers and Cancer Recurrence 

    1:25 - 1:55 pm: Oncology Networking

    Neuroscience
    2:00 - 2:05 pm: UC Davis Health and Neuroscience Research Innovation and Collaborations 
    - Amy Brooks-Kayal, Professor and Chair, Department of Neurology, UC Davis School of Medicine 

    2:05 - 2:10 pm: Neuroscience Innovation in Action
    - Sergey Stavisky - Restoring Lost Speech Using a Brain-Computer Interface

    2:10 - 2:25 pm: Neuroscience Technology Portfolio 
    - Joseph Beckett, Trey Brasher, Mark Mascal - A Photochemically Produced, Psychedelic-Inspired Scaffold for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders 
    - Sheela Toprani - Epilepscope: Personalized Seizure Forecasting for People with Epilepsy
    - Yanyu Huang - STICK Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery to the Brain

    2:25 - 3:00 pm: Neuroscience Networking

    Add this track to your calendar!
  • BIG Startup Showcase and Reception
  • 4:00 - 4:30 pm: Reception and Networking
    4:30 - 4:40 pm: Opening and Sponsor Remarks
    4:40 - 5:10 pm: Company Pitches
    - Phenotap
    - Instatin
    - IllumifyDx
    - Aperis
    - Sinewus
    - Blue Omics
    - Amplifye
    - Matrubials

    5:10 - 6:00 pm: Reception and Networking

    Add this track to your calendar!

UC Davis is Where Innovation Meets Real-World Impact

From exciting international partnerships to promising innovations in cell and gene therapy, neuroscience, and more, UC Davis is helping drive the future of biotech. Learn more about the topics and presenters featured at this year's Biotech Innovation Gallery and--if you're interested in partnering with us--click the link below and fill out our contact form.
Partner with us

Korean Biotechnology Accelerator Program at Aggie Square

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Foretell My Health

Foretell My Health goes beyond the limits of imaging and biopsy-based diagnosis. By integrating advanced platelet RNA analysis with AI cancer detection algorithms, we make early screening for ovarian and endometrial cancers possible.

Learn More
Image of white text that reads "Near Brain" on a purple background.

Near Brain

A non-invasive software that turns MRA images into actionable cerebral blood flow intelligence providing accurate, vessel-wide cerebral blood flow insights - without any additional equipment.

Learn More
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Neuracle

Neuracle is developing a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that neutralizes FAM19A5 to restore synapses. Clinical trials are ongoing in sudden sensorineural hearing loss with future applications in other neurodegenerative diseases and aging conditions.

Learn More

Interesting in funding or partnership opportunities?

 

Partner With Us

Cell and Gene Therapy Program

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Cell and Gene Therapy Center Accelerates Translational Research

The Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Center facilitates cutting-edge CGT research. Learn about UCDH’s translational research infrastructure to deliver CGTs to patients. Partner with us to transition your technology from bench to bedside.

Meet Jan Nolta
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Manufacturing Infrastructure for CGT Innovation

Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing requires unique expertise and know-how. UCDH has been manufacturing CGTs for over a decade. From stem cells, CAR-T, viral vectors, and other complex biologics, we can de-risk your early-stage manufacturing. Our team can

Meet Brian Fury
A photo of a researcher's gloved hands drawing fluid from a container with a long vial.

Enabling Next-Generation Cell & Gene Therapy Trials

Our specialized team of clinicians facilitate patient access to cutting edge cell and gene therapies. We support academic and industry investigators to make these therapies a reality. Partner with an experienced CGT clinical trials site.

Meet Mehrdad Abedi
Image of microscopic cells.

Genetic Medicine for Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Many genetic neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders have no treatment. UC Davis Researcher, Kyle Fink and collaborators have developed a technology platform to address “clustered” genetic diseases using tunable epigenetic editing.

Meet Kyle Fink
A multi-panel image of microscopic cells part of zinc finger proteins and antisense oligonucleotides

Therapeutic Gene Silencing in the Brain Using AAV-zinc Finger Repressors

CRISPR has transformed gene editing—but it’s not the only path forward. Discover how David Segal’s team uses zinc finger proteins and antisense oligonucleotides to treat haploinsufficiency disorders like Angelman syndrome.

Meet David Segal
Image of Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Delivery of Therapeutic Proteins

MSC therapies have proven safe in many clinical trials—but efficacy still lags. Learn how Fernando Fierro is engineering MSCs to express therapeutic proteins and unlock their full treatment potential.

Meet Fernando Fierro
Illustration of a "cyborg" human cell

Hydrogelated Cells: A New Modality for Programmable Living Medicines

Cell therapy faces hurdles in efficacy, safety, cost, and scale. Cheemeng Tan’s team is creating “Cyborg” cells using a novel intracellular hydrogelation method—with promise for cancer, infectious disease, and regenerative medicine.

Meet Cheemeng Tan
Computer image depicting Musculoskeletal disease

Skeletal Stem Cell Biology: The Key to Regenerative Musculoskeletal Therapies

Musculoskeletal disease drives an estimated $2T in annual healthcare costs, yet today’s therapies often fall short. Discover how Tom Ambrosi is harnessing skeletal stem cell biology to tackle osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

Meet Tom Ambrosi
Computer image of stem cells.

Engineering Stem Cells for Tissue Regeneration

Aijun Wang’s multidisciplinary team is harnessing stem cell biology to tackle disease. Explore two breakthroughs: a stem cell patch to treat spina bifida and a bioactive coating that creates a functional endothelium.

Meet Aijun Wang

Interested in licensing or collaboration opportunities?

 

Partner With Us

UC Davis Research Innovation Highlights

Scientific graphic of Small-Molecule Therapy Targeting the eIF4G–Mutant p53 Pathway

Small-Molecule Therapy Targeting the eIF4G–Mutant p53 Pathway

Aggressive cancers like TNBC are driven by eIF4G overexpression and mutant p53. Our novel small-molecule inhibitor targets mutant p53 translation via eIF4G, suppressing tumor growth with favorable PK.

Meet Jin Zhang
Scientific graphic of a Tumor Selective Death Agonist Antibody

First-in-class Tumor Selective Death Agonist Antibody

Tumor immune barriers limit CAR-T success in solid tumors. Our tumor-selective Fas agonist antibody works as a stand-alone therapy and boosts CAR-T infiltration and bystander tumor killing. IP and preclinical data are in place—seeking partners.

Meet Jogender Tushir-Singh
Scientific graphic of Self-delivering autophagy inhibitors

Self-delivering autophagy inhibitors against therapy-resistant cancers and cancer recurrence

Nanomedicines can boost cancer therapy precision and power. TR-002, a self-delivering autophagy inhibitor, is now in clinical trials for treatment-resistant and recurrent cancers. Licensed to Theranostec—seeking partners to advance the platform.

Meet Yuanpei Li
Scientific graphic of VEGF165-KDR D1 Blockers as a Breast Cancer Therapeutic

VEGF165-KDR D1 Blockers as a Breast Cancer Therapeutic

Avastin blocks VEGF165-KDR but shows limited benefit in breast cancer. Our VEGF heparin-binding domain mutants suppress autocrine VEGF165 signaling in TNBC models. With a lead compound in hand, the team seeks IND-enabling study guidance.

Meet Yoshikazu Takada
Illustration of a human brain with square computer chips installed.

Restoring lost speech using a brain-computer interface

UC Davis built a high-bandwidth brain-computer interface powered by deep learning and language models. Dr. Stavisky will share how it restored accurate, reliable speech for an ALS clinical trial participant.

Meet Sergey Stavisky
Image of a medical device that can predict when a seizure will occur.

Epilepscope: Personalized Seizure Forecasting for People with Epilepsy

Epilepscope uses invasive biosignals to detect personalized brain connectivity shifts that predict seizures before they occur, helping patients act early. Dr. Toprani seeks guidance on licensing and commercialization.

Meet Sheela Toprani
Scientific graphic that depicts STICK nanoparticles for drug delivery to the brain

A photochemically produced, psychedelic-inspired scaffold for neurological and psychiatric disorders

Light-activated chemistry has produced non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2A full agonists designed for oral dosing and enhanced neuroplasticity—aiming to outperform partial agonists for depression and anxiety. Seeking partners for in vivo validation and launch.

Meet Joseph Beckett
Scientific graphic that depicts STICK nanoparticles for drug delivery to the brain

STICK nanoparticles for drug delivery to the brain

With data generated in a mouse model of glioma, these sequentially targeting nanoparticles use glucose transporter-mediated transcytosis to cross the blood-brain-barrier and the tumor acidic environment to transform the nanoparticles for tumor incursion.

Meet Yanyu Huang

Interested in licensing or other opportunities to collaborate?

 

Partner With Us

UC Davis Startup Showcase

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Phenotap

Phenotap’s KetoTap is a breakthrough ketone biosensing platform for early DKA detection and metabolic wellness. A proprietary enzyme enabling reliable continuous ketone measurement ships to customers in Q1 2026.

Learn More
A logo for the company, InStatin, which looks like human lungs made up of various colored circles.

InStatin, Inc.

InStatin unites world-class expertise in respiratory biology with cutting-edge inhalation delivery technology. Its inhaled statins aim to deliver safer, more effective treatments for asthma and COPD than existing therapies.

Wordmark logo for the company IllumifyDx.

IllumifyDx

illumifyDx fuses AI and photonics to read cancer biology from a single blood test. Head and neck cancer is the first market, with early data showing broader potential across cancers. Adaptable, accessible, and clinically transformative.

Learn More
Logo for the company, Blue Omics, which is the letter 'O' with an ocean wave in the middle.

Blue Omics

A Cutting-Edge CRO delivering non-invasive, high resolution insights into patient screening, recruiting, and patient drug response using advanced MALDI mass spectrometry imaging from a single spot of blood.

Learn More
Logo for the company Matrubials, which consists of a blue swirl resembling an eye with a solid blue circle above that.

Matrubials

Matrubials is developing human milk–inspired therapies to fight bacterial infections. Using safe, clinically approved milk peptides, we aim to reduce conditions like bacterial vaginosis and skin infections—while launching a milk-inspired skin serum.

Learn More
Logo for the company Sinewus, which features an illustration of the musculoskeletal shape of a human arm.

Sinewus

SinewUS is bringing pro-level performance training and physical therapy to everyone with accessible, instrumented loading devices designed to intelligently optimize tendon and ligament health.

Learn More
Image of a logo for the company Aperis, which features a blue illustration of human lungs, with a hand swooping underneath it..

Aperis

Aperis is developing an implantable pleural drainage platform that enables continuous, at-home management of recurrent pleural effusions, transforming care beyond episodic procedures.

Learn More
Wordmark logo for the company, Amplifye.

Amplifye

Amplifye is redefining nutrition with next-gen enzymes that boost the protein people already eat—improving health without changing habits. Starting with amplifyeP24, the platform also powers animal nutrition and industrial applications.

Learn More

Interested in funding or other opportunities to support these startups?

 

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Our Sponsors

A graphic displaying logos for the following organizations: Square Patton Boggs, UC Davis Health, and Wexford Science + Technology