The BioHealth Capital Region Crab Trap Competition returns on Wednesday, September 24, at 2:00 PM during the BHCR Forum at US Pharmacopeia in Rockville, Maryland. Nearly 70 startups applied this year. The six finalists below will pitch for a prize package that includes $10,000 in cash, $25,000 in IT and cybersecurity services from InfoPathways, $10,000 in CRO services from Noble Life Sciences and Accelevir, with additional prizes to be announced.
Finalists
Aloe Therapeutics (Germantown, MD)
Developing AIM-001, a first-in-class localized immunotherapy implanted during biopsy or resection to trigger systemic anti-tumor immunity with a site-retentive formulation; designed to complement checkpoint inhibitors and integrate seamlessly into clinical workflows. Learn more: www.aloetherapeutics.com
NioPath Inc. (Ashburn, VA)
Pioneering slide-free, H&E-equivalent imaging for surgical oncology, NioPath’s ultrafast ultraviolet photoacoustic microscope delivers real-time, label-free tissue images directly in the operating room. The technology enables surgeons to assess tumor margins in minutes, improving accuracy, reducing repeat procedures, and streamlining workflows in high-stakes cancer surgeries. Learn more: https://niopath.ai
Chariot Biosciences (Baltimore, MD)
Redefining biologic drug delivery with its SIMMBIONS™ platform, engineered symbiotic microbes that safely live in the bloodstream and continuously secrete therapeutic proteins. This novel approach eliminates frequent injections and cold-chain dependence, offering a programmable, reversible, and sustained treatment option for chronic and rare diseases like type 1 diabetes, obesity, and Gaucher disease. Learn more: www.chariot-bio.com
GenAssist, Inc. (St. Louis, MO)
Developer of MyoSponge, a first-in-class implant designed to regenerate skeletal muscle after severe trauma. Built from muscle-relevant extracellular matrix proteins, MyoSponge provides a scaffold that attracts and aligns cells, resorbs naturally, and leaves behind functional muscle rather than scar tissue. Validated across multiple species and supported by NSF SBIR funding, MyoSponge represents a new category of trauma care with the potential to restore strength and mobility to patients facing debilitating injuries. Learn more: www.genassist.co
Perfusion Medical (Reston, VA)
An emerging biopharmaceutical company developing PM-208, a novel therapy to reestablish blood flow and oxygen delivery in critical care settings. Built on technology from Virginia Commonwealth University, PM-208 targets the “no re-flow phenomenon” that follows severe blood loss, ischemia, or acute kidney injury, offering the potential to save lives and reduce long-term complications. Backed by more than $10 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Defense, NIH, and private investors, Perfusion Medical is advancing toward clinical trials to transform trauma and intensive care medicine. Learn more: https://perfusionmedical.com
MYoroface AB, International (Hudiksvall, Sweden)
MYoroface is the developer of IQoro®, a patented neuromuscular device that treats the root causes of reflux disease, dysphagia, snoring, and sleep apnea. The device strengthens the diaphragm and activates 148 swallowing muscles through 90 seconds of daily training, offering a non-drug, non-surgical option. Learn More: https://www.iqoro.com/about-us/
Host and Judges
Moderator
Richard Bendis, President & CEO, BioHealth Innovation
Judges
- Teddy Gresser, Senior Director, TEDCO
- Conley Jones, Vice President, Alexandria Venture Investments at Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
- John Newby, Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Biotechnology Association
- Anthony Obi Jr, Senior Investment Associate, Virginia Venture Partners
- Esther Park, Associate Director, Blackbird Laboratories
- Rachel Rath, Head of JLABS @ Washington, DC, Johnson & Johnson
- Joseph Siletto, Co-Managing Partner, Life Sciences at J.P. Morgan
Attend the Finals
The Crab Trap finals are open to all Forum attendees on September 24 at 2:00 PM. Register for the Forum: https://reg.eventmobi.com/bhcr2025.
Companies and investors can continue the momentum at the Investment Conference on September 25: https://bit.ly/BHCRIC2025.