RICHMOND- Governor Northam announced the recipients of the 2018 CRCF awards given to exciting
advancements in six industries: biosciences and medical technologies, cyber security, clean energy,
water quality, data analytics and unmanned systems. Two of the companies receiving awards,
Tympanogen and WynnVision, are located in the VA Bio+Tech Center, a life sciences and advanced
technology incubator within the VA Bio+Tech Park in downtown Richmond.
Tympanogen received $50,000 in the commercialization program for the “manufacturing feasibility of a
gel patch for nonsurgical eardrum repair. Tympanogen, Inc. develops innovative ear, nose and throat
devices based on proprietary gel technology. The first product, Perf-Fix™, will transform traditional
tympanoplasty procedures into a quick, minimally invasive office visit. Perf-Fix can be applied in an
office setting within 10 minutes, without general anesthesia or margin freshening. This gel patch
encourages regeneration of the full, three-layered tympanic membrane structure at the same high
success rates of traditional tympanoplasty.
Speaking about the award, Dr. Elaine Horn-Ranney, Co-Founder & CEO of Tympanogen, said, “The grant
will support the development of our gel patch product for nonsurgical eardrum repair by helping us
move some of our manufacturing operations in-house. We are currently looking to hire an industrial
chemist to assist with production of the material. Overall, the grant is creating a new skilled job and
supporting local manufacturing efforts for a medical technology startup.”
WynnVision received $50,000 in the SBIR Matching Funds program for “antimicrobial catheters with cell
and tissue compatibility.” WynnVision LLC is a biomedical nanofilms company dedicated to the
prevention of medical device-acquired infections. Its world-class team of biomedical materials scientists
are applying breakthrough technology to significantly reduce the pain and suffering of patients and the
excessive costs borne by the health system due to infections acquired via catheters and other devices.
Dr. Kenneth Wynne, President of WynnVision, stated, “WynnVision is grateful for funding from the CRCF
SBIR matching funds program which will accelerate the development of antimicrobial nano-overcoats
for catheters to prevent infections without antibiotics or heavy metals.”
Carrie Roth, President and CEO of the VA Bio+Tech Park and Activation Capital, said, “We applaud the
innovative thinking and outstanding R&D taking place within the walls of the Bio+Tech Center. These
funds will allow for further development and improvement of these already outstanding medical devices
and contribute to the growth of our new economy.”
About Activation Capital:
Activation Capital engages and connects the many influential players in our innovation ecosystem, and
strives to give startup founders access to the tools and resources they need to navigate the
entrepreneurial process. The Activation Council supports and coordinates these efforts among the many
available resources to foster innovation in companies of all kinds. Activation Council brings clarity and
perspective in the short term and vision for the long term that generates more collision points that lead
to successful business outcomes. Our goal is for the region to become known as a hub for all things
innovative and as an environment where entrepreneurs and innovative companies thrive. We want the
Activation Capital to be known as the place where any person with an idea can come to find resources
needed to take an idea from start to phenomenal.
The VA Bio+Tech Park is a vibrant, life sciences community located adjacent to the Virginia
Commonwealth University (VCU) Medical Center on a 34-acre campus in downtown Richmond, Virginia.
Since its creation, the Park has supported over 120 private and non-profit companies, state and federal
laboratories, and research institutes/administrative functions of VCU and VCU Health, employing
approximately 2,400 researchers, scientists, engineers and support personnel. Major member
organizations in the park include the VCU Innovation Gateway and Innovation Economy, the Altria
Center for Research and Technology, United Network for Organ Sharing, True Health Diagnostics and the
Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services. The Park also has developed partnerships with
neighboring Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico Counties to extend its reach.
