Biotechs operating in hot therapeutic areas, including immunology, neuroscience and oncology.
First-ever techbio cohort features cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of drug discovery, design and development.
CHARLESTON, S.C. and CAMBRIDGE, M.A. (September 2, 2025)— SCbio, in collaboration with MassBio, today announced the 10 innovative companies selected for this fall’s Drive program, a premier startup accelerator designed to propel breakthrough science and technology while equipping founders with the tools for long-term success. Over the next eight weeks, these pre-seed companies will engage in a hands-on curriculum led by industry experts, gain guidance from seasoned mentors and build vital connections across the life sciences ecosystem.
As part of Drive’s expanded national strategy to resource emerging startups wherever they are based, two parallel cohorts will launch this fall: a biotech cohort powered by SCbio and a techbio cohort powered by MassBio. The biotech cohort features startups tackling some of the most pressing therapeutic challenges in immunology, neuroscience, and oncology, while the techbio cohort features cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of drug discovery, design, and development, from AI and machine learning to 3D modeling, bioinformatics and advanced data analytics.
“These two cohorts represent the cutting edge of biomedical and technological innovation, and Drive is giving them the business tools and mentorship to bring their science closer to patients,” said Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, CEO & president of MassBio. “Even in a time of funding challenges, we’re seeing a new frontier in drug development driven by AI and big data. We’re excited to showcase these startups to investors at the MassBio Align Summit and watch them achieve critical milestones in the months ahead.”
“The Drive program is proof for founders that South Carolina is committed to nurturing and accelerating the growth of life sciences companies,” said James Chappell, president and CEO of SCbio. “Now, more than ever, is the time that these companies need direct access to funding sources that can continue to champion their ground-breaking treatments.”
Biotech (SCbio)
- Altera Therapeutics (New Haven, C.T.) – Biologics.
- Aquilus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Winchester, M.A.) – Neuroscience.
- Neurodexis11 Therapeutics (Boston, M.A.) – Neuroscience.
- NeuroHope Therapeutics Inc. (Greenville, S.C.) – Neuroscience.
- Noara Therapeutics (Cambridge, M.A.) – Biologics.
Techbio (MassBio)
- Augment Biologics (Cambridge, M.A.) – Immunology and inflammation; Biologics.
- Technologies: 3D modeling, AI, bioinformatics, data analysis and platform technologies.
- InFocus Therapeutics (Boston, M.A.) – Cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, and metabolic; Hematology; Immunology and inflammation; Neuroscience; Oncology and immuno-oncology.
- Technologies: 3D modeling, AI, bioinformatics, data analysis, discovery chemistry, machine learning, precision medicine, platform technologies and predictive technology.
- Luminaria (Boston, M.A.) – Oncology and immuno-oncology; Biologics.
- Technologies: AI, bioinformatics and machine learning.
- Meta-Flux (Dublin, Ireland) – Cardiovascular, renal, endocrine and metabolic; Immunology and inflammation; Neuroscience; Oncology and immuno-oncology.
- Technologies: AI, bioinformatics and data analysis.
- Reflector Bio (New York, N.Y. / Munich, Germany) – Cell and gene therapy.
- Technologies: AI, bioinformatics, data analysis, discovery chemistry, machine learning, precision medicine and platform technologies.
These startups will participate, at no cost to them, in curriculum modules taught by experts, including Browne Consulting, Wilson Sonsini, Lumanity, F-Prime Capital and Thermo Fisher with MassBio, and Deloitte, Medpoint, Maynard Nexsen, Eli Lilly & Company, Inspire Agency and VentureSouth with SCbio. The biotech cohort is supported by premier sponsors Charleston County Economic Development, Charleston Regional Development Alliance and the South Carolina Department of Commerce.
Both cohorts will present during the MassBio Align Summit on October 7, putting their new knowledge and pitch decks to use in front of an audience of potential funders. Since launching in 2022, Drive has supported 49 early-stage companies that, after completing the program, have gone on to raise $64 million in funding and create nearly 100 jobs.
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About MassBio:
MassBio is the driving force behind Massachusetts’s life sciences ecosystem, supporting innovation and industry growth by offering best-in-class resources to over 1,700 member organizations at all stages of the biopharma lifecycle. Founded in 1985, MassBio aspires to extend Massachusetts’s impact as the global center of excellence in biomedical breakthroughs. Through strategic cost-saving initiatives, robust business partnerships, educational and networking opportunities, and proactive advocacy, MassBio empowers its members to launch the next generation of medical advancements to deliver the cures and therapies that enhance patient lives. Online at www.massbio.org.
About SCbio:
SCbio is the definitive, unifying leader in South Carolina’s life sciences sector, fostering authentic collaboration and innovation across academia, startups, government and established enterprises. As a member-driven economic development organization, SCbio represents more than 1,000 organizations employing more than 87,000 professionals. Our members are unified by a mission to positively impact humanity through science across the ecosystem of advanced and specialty manufacturing; digital health and the data frontier; and cutting-edge health specializations. For additional information about SCbio and the life sciences industry, or to become a member, visit www.scbio.org.
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Media Contact:
Connor Watkins
SCbio Director of Marketing
843.670.5375 | cwatkins@scbio.org