J&J’s Robert Urban explains how his organization’s efforts lead to partnerships with academia across a broad range of areas, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices and consumer products. Also, transactions occurring between Nov. 21 and Dec. 21, including the expansion and solidification of Editas Medicine’s IP estate in CRISPR technology.

Araim Pharmaceuticals, Cellerant Therapeutics, Neumedicines, RxBio and the University of Arkansas were awarded a total of $56.3 million by the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to develop new therapies to treat bone marrow, gastrointestinal, lung and skin injuries associated with acute radiation syndrome (ARS) caused by exposure to high doses of radiation, such as after denotation of an improvised nuclear device.

A preview of the emerging health care companies profiled in the current issue of Start-Up. This month's profile group, "Bringing New Blood to the Anemia Market," features profiles of Akebia, Neumedicines and Palkion. Plus these Start-Ups Across Health Care: Aterovax, Pico-Tesla Magnetic Therapies, SpineAlign Medical, Theraclion, Virdante Pharmaceuticals and Zacharon Pharmaceuticals.

Neumedicines Inc. is developing IL-12-based therapeutics to restore hematopoiesis. Its lead compound HemaMax, recombinant human IL-12, is designed to regenerate the hematopoeietic system following exposure to radiation. A second program, HemaMax-II, will likely focus initially on treating chemotherapy-induced leucopenia, neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia.