{"id":236707,"date":"2023-09-13T18:35:34","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T18:35:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/?p=236707"},"modified":"2025-04-18T19:08:46","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T19:08:46","slug":"austin-companies-changing-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/austin-companies-changing-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Two Austin Companies That Are Changing And Improving People\u2019s Lives"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Today, I want to introduce you to two Austin companies we have worked with that are doing impressive work.<br \/>\nThese companies embody our mission so powerfully.<\/p>\n<p>The first company I want to shout out is<a href=\"https:\/\/everlumbio.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong> Everlum Bio<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-236725 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/Casey-and-Rose-1-300x228.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Everlum was founded by Casey McPherson in response to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tocurearose.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">his 7-year-old daughter, Rose\u2019s, being diagnosed with a rare genetic disease<\/a>, HNRNPH2. This disease took away her ability to speak and to interact like a typical 7 yr old.<\/p>\n<p>There are ways to turn off a gene that causes disorders such as Rose\u2019s, but it requires screening lots of candidate molecules to find the right one. Casey and his co-founders realized that if they wanted to help his daughter, they would have to start a company and create the technology to make it happen. So, Everlum was founded.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-236726 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/103-1024x512.png\" alt=\"\u201cImagine seeing your own cells growing. Being surrounded by scientists developing a breakthrough technology, for you. One that could give you abilities you lost, or only dreamed of. That\u2019s what [we\u2019re] giving to Rose. That\u2019s what [Everlum brings] to potentially tens of thousands of Roses.\u201d - Casey McPherson, Everlum Founder\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/103-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/103-980x490.png 980w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/103-480x240.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Everlum is a rare disease lab company that believes \u201ceveryone deserves a cure, no matter how big or small the disease.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Everlum pioneered a novel approach to drug development that puts the power back into the patient&#8217;s hands. They are currently using their approach to work with other parents of kids with similar rare diseases. Here\u2019s Casey:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-236729 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/105-1024x512.png\" alt=\"\u201cOur healthcare system is broken, but to fix it requires immense innovation. The ACC Bioscience incubator is at the heart of that for Central Texas Biotech. They've allowed us to start the first personalized medicine company for families with rare diseases. Without them, we would need a much larger amount of capital, lab infrastructure, and support just to start. In addition, they have a robust network of experienced biotech and pharma professionals that help guide new companies like ours. Without them, we would not have been able to even begin our dream of a better healthcare system. Thank you ACC Bioincubator! - Casey McPherson, Everlum Founder\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/105-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/105-980x490.png 980w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/105-480x240.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As you can see, Everlum is a great example of the kind of research and impact that can and does happen at our incubator.<\/p>\n<p>The other Incubator company I want to brag about is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clearcam-med.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>ClearCam<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-236730 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/ClearCam101.png\" alt=\"ClearCam Logo\" width=\"680\" height=\"165\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/ClearCam101.png 680w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/ClearCam101-480x116.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 680px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<p>ClearCam is a success story that took full advantage of the incubator and touched pretty much every resource in Austin and beyond. They are a medical device startup that\u2019s helping doctors doing laparoscopic surgery. To give you a refresher on the term \u2018laparoscopic,\u2019 these are minimally invasive surgeries performed with the aid of a small camera.<\/p>\n<p>ClearCam formed as a response to a problem that a surgeon at Dell Medical, Dr. John Uecker, kept running into: The laparoscope lens often needed cleaning in order to see clearly. Removing and cleaning the scope during surgery not only risks infection, but also results in longer, more expensive surgeries and leaves the patient anesthetized for longer periods of time.<\/p>\n<p>ClearCam took this problem to an engineering professor at the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Chris Rylander, where his then Phd candidate, Chris Idelson, developed the elegant solution of a \u2018windshield wiper\u2019 for the lens. They then met Doug Stoakley, a local business executive, and formed the company.<\/p>\n<p>From there, ClearCam created a lens-cleaning device (\u201cThe Kelling\u2122\u201d) that saves surgical procedure time and improves safety for patients, surgeons, and the entire surgical staff. Here are two MDs in Texas who use ClearCam\u2019s products:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-236731 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/107-1024x512.png\" alt=\"\u201cYou can't stop surgery every time something gets on the lens. With Kelling, you just twist the knob and keep going.\u201d - Dr. Rachel Medberry, MD, Austin, TX (Thoracic Surgeon)\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/107-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/107-980x490.png 980w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/107-480x240.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-236732 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/108-1024x512.png\" alt=\"&quot;If you want to do surgery, you have to be able to see and now we see a lot better.&quot; - Dr. Chad McCormick, MD, Temple, TX (GynOnc Surgeon)\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/108-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/108-980x490.png 980w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/154\/2023\/09\/108-480x240.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<p>ClearCam has leveraged the Austin biotech community by partnering with countless programs and organizations, such as UT\u2019s Discovery to Impact, NSF\u2019s Regional and National I-Corps program, ATI SEAL, Texas Health Catalyst, several hospital systems, multiple incubators at ACC, and local contract manufacturer Mainstream Medical Devices. While they have been very successful at navigating these resources, they strive to make it easier for Central Texas medical device companies to succeed by volunteering their time to advise and mentor startups in programs across Austin and the communities surrounding it.<\/p>\n<p>Do you want to join the ranks of ClearCam, Everlum, and other biotech and bioscience companies in our incubator? You can <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSfBHbDjGIjR6EZCV1rxULjYMcIz3dezuXDsXPTjwfXSUSEr5A\/viewform\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>apply to join right here<\/strong><\/a> or visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Contact<\/strong> <\/a>page to get in touch!<\/p>\n<p>Tomorrow, I\u2019ll introduce you to some students in our lab who turned their internships into careers in biotech.<\/p>\n<p>Nancy Lyon<br \/>\nACC Bioscience Incubator Director<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today, I want to introduce you to two Austin companies we have worked with that are doing impressive work. These companies embody our mission so powerfully. The first company I want to shout out is Everlum Bio. Everlum was founded by Casey McPherson in response to his 7-year-old daughter, Rose\u2019s, being diagnosed with a rare [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4192,"featured_media":236723,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[113],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-236707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsletters"],"acf":{"featured_banner":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/236707","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4192"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=236707"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/236707\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/236723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=236707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=236707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=236707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}