UA Spin-Off to Test Cancer-Preventing Drug Combination

April 30, 2013 in Desert Angels, Funded Companies, Press by Desert Angels

Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has helped launch a phase-III clinical trial to test the efficacy of a combination drug that has shown promise of preventing colon cancer. CPP was founded in 2008 to apply decades’ worth of systematic, basic research led by University of Arizona professor emeritus Eugene Gerner and former UA researcher Frank Meyskens to improve clinical practice.

“Our long-term vision is to change the status quo from treating and managing cancer to intervening before cancer manifests and prevent it altogether,” said Jeffrey Jacob, founding CEO of Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals. “The idea is just like in the approach to heart disease: Instead of waiting for heart attack or stroke to happen, we give patients cholesterol-lowering or blood pressure-lowering medicine to prevent those events from happening in the first place.”

In addition to colorectal cancer, the same treatment approach has shown promise in preventing prostate, skin and possibly other cancers as well. Colorectal cancer affects about 1 million people in the U.S., Jacob said.

Read more: UA Spin-Off to Test Cancer-Preventing Drug Combination

Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals Starts Phase III Clinical Trial

April 21, 2013 in Desert Angels, Funded Companies, News Releases by Desert Angels

Tucson-based Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced the launch of a three-year, Phase III colon-cancer-prevention trial in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and SWOG (formerly the Southwest Oncology Group), an NCI-supported clinical-trials group.

Read more: Tucson company launching late-stage clinical trial for its cancer-prevention drug

Ridgemont Equity Partners Invests in Simpleview

April 12, 2013 in Funded Companies, investing by Jordan McMahon

simpleview copper-cactus-award

The Simpleview team after winning a Copper Cactus Award in 2012.

Tucson, Ariz. — Software and digital marketing services company Simpleview, Inc. received an  equity investment from Ridgemont Equity Partners on Tuesday.

Simpleview, Inc. is a company based in Tucson, Ariz., founded in 2001, focusing on destination marketing organization. The company also works in search engine optimization, content management systems, and customer relationship management software.

Cara Frank, director of marketing at Simpleview, said that for the investment, “being that we’re in Tucson, we’re pretty laid back in our company culture…hard working, but laid back,” and that they sought to partner with a firm that “really fit [Simpleview's] culture.”

Of the investment, Simpleview CEO Ryan George said, “Our partnership with Ridgemont enables Simpleview to grow by scaling our already robust service offering and expanding our customer reach, both nationally and globally.”

HTG Molecular Diagnostics a Finalist for Medical Design Excellence Award

April 7, 2013 in Desert Angels, Funded Companies, Press by Desert Angels

TJ Johnson, CEO of HTG Molecular Diagnostics states, “We are extremely proud to have the Edge design recognized as an Medical Design Excellence Award finalist. We heard loud and clear from our customers that the market needs a simple and cost effective way to perform RNA testing with fast turnaround. The Edge was designed to fulfill this unmet market need.” HTG Molecular’s Edge System is the only automated gene expression platform that delivers affordable, multiplexed results on formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue samples in 24 hours.

Read more: marketwire.com

Innovation in the Freight Brokerage Industry

April 7, 2013 in Desert Angels, Funded Companies, Press by Desert Angels

Desert Angels portfolio company, Post.Bid.Ship., is highlighted as one only two innovative companies trying to disrupt the freight brokerage industry.

Read More: Innovation and Technology come to the Freight Brokerage Industry

Inc. Magazine: New Jolt of Life for the Artificial Heart

March 31, 2013 in Desert Angels, Funded Companies, Press by Desert Angels

Inc Magazine provides the history and an overview of Syncardia.

Read more: New Jolt of Life for the Artificial Heart

Syncardia Raises $19 Million

March 21, 2013 in Desert Angels, Funded Companies, News Releases by Desert Angels

Tucson-based artificial heart maker SynCardia Systems Inc., a Desert Angels portfolio company, has raised $19 million in new, long-term growth capital from investors including a major health-care investment fund. The investment round includes a $15 million, structured financing arrangement with New York-based Athyrium Opportunities Fund, as well as a $4 million follow-on equity investment from existing shareholders.

Read more: Tucson-based SynCardia lands $19M investment

Syncardia a heartbeat from leadership role: FDA decisions would move firm to a new level

January 30, 2013 in Desert Angels, Funded Companies by Desert Angels

Syncardia’s growth potential and exit strategy are discussed. The 13 pound Freedom Driver which is approved in Europe and is expecting FDA approval in June, and would allow patients unprecented mobility and would greatly expand adoption of the device. Along with approval of the portable driver, SynCardia expects to reach two more milestones this year: FDA permission to test an artificial heart small enough for women and teenagers, and approval to use its heart as “destination therapy” – a more permanent solution for patients who don’t qualify for transplants because of age or illness. Together, the approvals will set the stage for SynCardia to grow – and perhaps attract a deep-pocket buyer.

Read More: Syncardia a heartbeat from leadership role

NuvOx drug that aids radiation treatments set for clinical trials

January 29, 2013 in Desert Angels, Funded Companies by Desert Angels

NuvOx Pharma is planning a phase II clinical trial for an injectable drug that can infuse tumors with oxygen to make them more susceptible to radiation treatment.

Read more: NuvOx Pharma set for Clinical Trials

Tucson tech: Tempronics Inc.

November 20, 2012 in Desert Angels, Funded Companies by Desert Angels

Tempronics Inc. demonstrates its thermoelectric technology in its first product, a temperature controlled office chair, while discussing future avenues for growth.

Read more: Tucson tech: Too hot? Too cold? Comfy chair gets temp just right