NEW YORK, April 05, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mid-Atlantic Bio Angels (MABA) announces today that Handii 3D, which is developing hand and upper extremity splints for cerebral palsy patients, was named “Best in Show” by the audience at MABA’s 1 st Pitch Life Science event held on March 18, 2019 at Columbia University in New York City.
“The 1 st Pitch experience allowed us to demonstrate both our technology and our business model, helping us to more carefully examine both,” said Alice Chu, M.D., CEO of Handii 3D. “The feedback from the panel was extremely valuable in helping us to gauge the timing of the different phases of our development and how to communicate those milestones.”
Currently, there are about 500,000 children under the age of 18 with cerebral palsy who are unable to use their fingers because of weakness induced by the disease. Handii 3D is developing a customizable dynamic splint that stabilizes the motion of the fingers and enables these children to regain use of their fingers. Because the children are growing, they require at least 1-2 new splints each year, so the company anticipates using a mobile platform that allows patients, through their therapists who would serve as the company’s distributor, to easily procure the splints as needed.
“Handii3D has a product that people will be able to see, feel, and appreciate every day. This product will also bring people happiness, in addition to good health and independence,” commented Craig Kenesky, Ph.D., Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, PC, Head of IP, New York, who participated in the panel.
“The company’s presenter was passionate and knowledgeable about the problem, based on her experience treating these patients,” said panelist Stephen Goodman, a co-founder of MABA and a partner at the law firm of Pryor Cashman LLP in New York. “The technology looks promising and could have a major impact on the quality of life for children suffering from cerebral palsy.”
About 1 st Pitch Life Science 1st Pitch Life Science (http://www.1stpitchlifescience.com) is a program initiated by Mid Atlantic Bio Angels to educate early stage life science and healthcare companies and an audience consisting of life science ecosystem participants about how angel investing works. Although specific formats vary, at each event at least two early stage companies present a pitch deck and experienced investors provide either one-on-one coaching or direct constructive feedback intended to help the companies improve their chances of getting investment. The audience members vote on “Best in Show”. In all cases, the companies receive constructive criticism of the company’s presentation, business model and perceived viability in the market.
About MABA Mid Atlantic Bio Angels ( http://bioangels.net ) is a group of active angel investors, which meets in New York City monthly (except July and August) solely to hear from pre-screened early-stage life science companies. MABA members consist of individuals with significant expertise and experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, including former and current corporate executives, doctors and Ph.D. scientists with product development backgrounds, successful medical entrepreneurs and analyst/investors focused on life sciences. MABA’s goal is to create an environment where the depth of investors’ knowledge coupled with the pre-screening of presenting companies enhances the potential for meaningful investment. MABA recently launched a sidecar fund ( https://sidecarfund.bioangels.net/ ) to enable co-investment by accredited non-members.
Contact: Jules Abraham JQA Partners, Inc. 917-885-7378 jabraham@jqapartners.com
