Three McMaster Professors Receive Fellowships to Advance Their Life Science Startups

In an article published by Daniella Fiorentino from the Office of the VP Research at McMaster University on February 24, 2025, three distinguished faculty members—Eric Brown, Catherine Demers, and Jose Moran-Mirabal—were awarded the Professor Entrepreneur Fellowships. These fellowships, established by the McMaster Entrepreneurship Academy, aim to recognize and support the innovative startup leaders within the university by allowing faculty to focus on developing their entrepreneurial ventures for one year, relieving them from instructing one course.

The announcement comes from Leyla Soleymani, the associate vice-president of Research (Commercialization & Entrepreneurship), who emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship and commercialization for translating academic ideas into tangible solutions. She expressed her excitement over the fellowship, which allows the awardees to concentrate on critical aspects of their startups, including fundraising, team formation, and prototype development.

This year's selection process included a competitive pitch-style event held at the Forge, where six professors from McMaster's faculties of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences presented their startup innovations. The participants showcased groundbreaking solutions in fields such as drug discovery, regenerative medicine, health diagnostics, and the development of more accessible healthcare treatments. A selection committee reviewed the submissions, evaluating the potential for commercialization and the expected impact of the fellowship on each venture’s success.

The fellowship recipients and their projects are as follows:

1. Eric Brown - Kapoose Creek Bio: A professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Eric Brown leads Kapoose Creek Bio as CEO. The company is pioneering a novel approach to drug discovery, utilizing artificial intelligence through its “unEarth Rx” platform. This technology aims to expedite the identification of natural products for medicines, specifically targeting treatments for neurodegeneration and mental health disorders.

2. Catherine Demers - CorLibra: Catherine Demers serves as a professor in the Department of Medicine and is the founder and CEO of CorLibra, which focuses on empowering seniors with heart failure to monitor their health from the comfort of their homes. The company’s interactive software, SaMD, streamlines the processes of weight tracking and diuretic adjustment, thus enhancing the management of the condition and improving patients' quality of life.

3. Jose Moran-Mirabal - Tessella Biosciences: As a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Jose Moran-Mirabal co-founded Tessella Biosciences, where he serves as CEO. The company develops high-printability bioinks and biopolymers aimed at enhancing 3D bioprinting, making it more accessible and efficient for researchers. Tessella's innovative products offer customizable mechanical properties suitable for modeling various tissues, thereby addressing global healthcare challenges.

These fellowships are a testament to McMaster University’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for entrepreneurial pursuits among its faculty, ultimately translating academic research into beneficial real-world applications. As these professors embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, they will embody the spirit of innovation that McMaster seeks to promote within venture development and commercialization.