A preview of the emerging health care companies profiled in the current issue of Start-Up. This month's profile group, Skin Repair, features profiles of Artecel Sciences Inc., Niadyne Inc., Reconstructive Technologies Inc. and Renovo Ltd..Plus these selected Start-ups across Health Care: Aptilon Health Inc., Neuronyx Inc. , Oxxon Pharmaccines Ltd. and Third Millennium Inc.

Niadyne Inc.'s scientific founders have devoted their academic careers to the biological causes of skin cell injury and methods for its repair. The company has developed nutrient-based compounds to combat the DNA damage that leads to deterioration in skin's appearance, as well as a topical system to deliver them. Niadyne's initial products will be marketed as cosmeceuticals, but it aims to pursue longer-term therapeutic interests in wound healing and heart disease.

A handful of start-ups hopes to fill the cracks in the fragmented market for skin repair. Their approaches vary widely; British start-up Renovo has a pharmaceutical approach to the prevention of scarring. Reconstructive Technologies believes that the best replacement for skin is skin itself; it has developed a bioreactor that accelerates the growth of autograft skin, with both {in vivo} and {in vitro} systems. Artecel Sciences will use adipose-derived stromal cells in cosmesis and hematopoietic support. Niadyne 's platform of unique formulations of niacin lend themselves to a variety of applications, in cosmeceuticals and in cardiovascular disease.