2004 FastTrac Company of the Year

Affinergy, Inc.

Description

Affinergy’s “biological glue” is a platform technology that improves the performance of medical devices by regulating the biology on their surfaces. Target applications include blocking biofilm formation, promoting specific cell growth, and enabling biomolecular immobilization.

Reasons for winning the award

Jonathan Gindes completed Affinergy’s business plan in CED’s FastTrac Tech course in 2003. While taking this in-depth CED course, Gindes met SciQuest co-founder Peyton Anderson, who was guest speaking during the FastTrac Tech class. Anderson left SciQuest in September 2003 to become the start-up CEO at Affinergy. The company has also reached numerous early milestones. Affinergy licensed its technology from Duke in early 2004 and has secured its initial seed funding to commercialize the technology in orthopedics, catheters, and filtration. Affinergy’s laboratory is in the Becton Dickinson incubator.

Quote

“Affinergy is grateful to so many people and organizations that have helped us get started. We are fortunate to have such a supportive environment and a strong catalyst in CED to help emerging companies like Affinergy.“ -- Jonathan Gindes, Co-founder and V.P. Operations & Financing, Affinergy

History

Affinergy’s technology was developed and patented in 2001 at Duke University by Dan Kenan, M.D., Ph.D. and Mark Grintstaff, Ph.D. Affinergy got its start when Kenan and Grinstaff participated in the university’s New Venture Clinic at the Fuqua School of Business, taught by Intersouth Partners’ Kip Frey. Together with prospective MBAs, the clinic attracts lawyers, accountants, patent experts and current and former executives to offer advice on the process of commercializing technology. Following the clinic, Kenan and Grinstaff connected with Jonathan Gindes -- one of the MBA students assigned to assist with their device-coating technology -- to fully develop their commercialization strategy. Gindes helped to develop the company part-time and became vice president of operations and finance shortly after Affinergy incorporated in early 2003.

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