The NLC Health Impact Fund

With over 50 million people living with Alzheimer's and numbers expected to triple by 2050, there's an urgent need for effective treatments. Alzheimer's is a leading cause of death and imposes a global economic burden of $1 trillion annually. Our novel DYRK1A inhibitor aims to slow or even reverse Alzheimer's progression by targeting key pathways with high specificity and effective blood-brain barrier penetration. This innovative small molecule offers superior disease-modifying potential, addressing current treatment limitations and providing new hope for patients and healthcare systems worldwide.

MLA Diagnostics improves melanoma diagnosis, offering personalized measurement of malignancy levels. Traditional diagnosis often leads to overtreatment or undertreatment, resulting in patient distress or undetected cancer progression. By analyzing methylation, our test provides accurate prognosis, enabling tailored treatment plans and saving lives. With the melanoma therapeutics market on the rise, our innovative solution is poised to make a significant impact, improve patient outcomes and create opportunities.

NLC's venture, Profionics, advances Cardiff University's sepsis research with a biomarker test combining AI, gene expression, and metabolic analysis for rapid, accurate diagnosis. This test, which works in under 30 minutes with a drop of blood, surpasses traditional methods by quickly identifying those needing antibiotics and reducing unnecessary use, thus combating antimicrobial resistance and saving lives. Particularly impactful in neonatal care, it ensures timely detection critical for newborn survival. Founded by NLC, Cardiff University, and CEO Darren Fergus, Profionics leverages extensive research and a blood sample BioBank, positioning itself as a leader in host response diagnostic testing.

Spinal cord Injury represents a large unmet medical need with approximately 1.2M new cases per year resulting mainly from motor vehicle accidents, falls and water related accidents. Currently available treatments only offer symptomatic relief but do not target the underlying pathophysiologic changes. The spinal cord injury market is predicted to reach US$3B by 2025. MLP-1236 is a First in class dual inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 9 and MMP 12 and has already completed Phase 1 and Phase 2a clinical studies. In preclinical models, MLP-1236 was effective in preventing/reversing the neurodegeneration associated with spinal cord injury and ischemic stroke.

More information coming soon

Audaxis Medical revolutionizes the treatment of stress urinary incontinence with Plielle™, a next-generation polyurethane support system. While traditional polypropylene slings often lead to chronic inflammation and tissue complications, Plielle™ offers a safer alternative by replicating the native structure and viscoelastic properties of the pelvic floor. By providing a high-performance, biocompatible solution that integrates seamlessly with human tissue, Audaxis aims to improve clinical outcomes and restore patient confidence, filling a critical gap in women’s healthcare.

Amotio addresses the challenge of revision surgeries for hip, knee, and shoulder implants with their innovative approach. Collaborating with expert revision surgeons and guided by NLC, they offer a patented solution for improved implant revision surgery. By developing unique bone cement removal devices and integrating advanced patient-specific 3D surgical planning and printing technology, Amotio aims to set a new standard for excellence in these surgeries. Their goal is to reduce complexity, trauma, and recovery time while cutting costs for healthcare providers.

MindAffect is redefining what’s possible in diagnostics. By harnessing Brain-Computer Interface technology and AI, we can “read” how the brain reacts to sound and visual stimuli—objectively, in real time, and without requiring a single response from the patient. At the core is our patented and clinically validated Rapid CAEP® technology, which captures the brain’s automatic reactions. This breakthrough allows clinicians to diagnose patients who would otherwise be difficult or impossible to test—such as infants, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. In a world where over two billion people are underserved by current diagnostic methods, this changes everything. Our first product, Sofi, is the world’s fastest objective hearing diagnostic system, delivering accurate hearing thresholds in minutes. Sofi has been validated in leading hospitals, championed by key opinion leaders across the audiology community, and recognized globally—winning the Innovation Award at the World Congress of Audiology