Twelve emerging animal health companies from three countries vied last week for investment opportunities in a “Shark Tank” format with more than 200 animal health companies and 40 financial funds at the 10th annual KC Animal Health Investment Forum. “The Global Animal Health Investment Forum is the premier stage for emerging companies to showcase innovations and technologies that have the potential to revolutionize the animal health industry,” said Kimberly Young, president of the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor. Each company is given 10 minutes to present their ideas in front of seven judges, including executives from Nestlé Purina PetCare, Bayer Animal Health, Ceva U.S. Holdings, and Petsmart, followed by a five-minute Q&A session. Presenting companies are seeking anywhere from $500,000 to $20 million in funding and have revenue projections of $20 million within five to seven years. “The Investment Forum is really unique,” said Roy Stein, founder and CEO of BabelBark. “It gave us exposure to a mix of people with different backgrounds that were open minded and ready to listen to the newest technology. During Global Animal Health Week we connected with significant investors, potential partners and clients that provided us with enough traction to secure funding and grow our business.” Since 2010, companies presenting at the Forum have raised nearly $300 million, and many have signed licensing and distribution deals. This year’s finalists are: Applied LifeSciences & Systems Poultry Inc. from Raleigh, N.C., presented its advanced vaccination system for day-old chicks that will identify healthy chicks and deliver injectable vaccines. Chalante from Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, U.K., presented its bioactive, nature-inspired molecules, produced economically, to provide cost effective products for the health, productivity, and well-being of animals. Chelation Partners Inc. from Halifax, NS, Canada, presented its high-affinity, iron-specific chelating polymer. Forza10 Discoveries Corp. from Orlando, Fla., presented its dietetic, nutraceutical pet food. Genoscopy from St. Louis presented its patent-pending diagnostic tool that can extract biomarkers from feces. Illustris Pharmaceuticals Inc. from Palo Alto, Calif., a development-stage company, presented technology that provides for physiological penetration of active ingredients between cells rather than through them. Innogenics from Harvard, Mass., presented its genomic- and molecularly-based diagnostics and precise medical information system for companion animals suffering from cancer. MBF Therapeutics from Ambler, Pa., presented its checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy technology. Scollar Inc. from Santa Rosa, Calif., presented the first open-platform smartcollar, mobile app, and cloud service for the evolving needs of the animal care industry. Scullion Strategy Group from Greensboro, N.C., presented its mobile diagnostic test to determine semen quality using a smartphone-based device. Torigen Pharmaceuticals Inc. from Farmington, Conn., presented its autologous immunotherapeutic cancer vaccine, VVax-001, for dogs. WoofTrax from Easthampton, Mass., presented its method for pet brands to effectively market to pet owners through effective digital targeting.
