University of Utah startups continue innovating and discovering solutions to today's unmet needs. Here's a roundup of some of the latest news out of these companies
Recursion Receives Recognition by Fast Company for AI Increases Drug Discovery and Rapid Growth
Recursion
recently received recognition from Fast Company as one of the top 10 BioTech companies for rapid growth and strong performance leveraging AI. Recursion is reimagining drug discovery by combining AI with automated experimentation and large-scale biological data.
From developing treatments matched to patient needs to supporting biodiversity research, the company is pushing the boundaries of what's possible at the intersection of biology and technology continues its rapid growth and expanding influence.
This year, Recursion unveiled two major innovations that showcase its unique approach to accelerating drug discovery:
- LOWE (LLM-Orchestrated Workflow Engine) is the "brain" of the operation—a natural language interface that allows scientists to design complex experiments using plain English. LOWE then converts those inputs into real-time actions within Recursion's automated wet labs, streamlining and scaling the experimental process.
- BioHive-2 is the "muscle"—a cutting-edge supercomputer developed in collaboration with NVIDIA. Installed on-site, BioHive-2 ranks #35 in the world and is believed to be the fastest computer in the biopharmaceutical industry. It enables Recursion to rapidly analyze massive datasets and train advanced AI models to uncover novel drug candidates and biological insights.
Beyond their tech infrastructure, recursion recently advanced two of its lead drug candidates into clinical trials.
- REC-3964 entered a Phase 2 trial, which treats recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections. What makes this drug especially noteworthy is that it's non-an antibiotic, offering a new approach to rising antibiotic resistance.
- REC-1245 began a Phase 1/2 trial targeting solid tumors and lymphomas. This first-in-class therapy uses a novel protein-degradation strategy to eliminate RBM39, a protein that helps cancer cells process genetic instructions. By marking this protein for destruction, REC-1245 takes a completely new approach to disrupting cancer cell survival.
Recursion also acquired Exscientia, a fellow AI-driven drug discovery company. This acquisition not only brings additional expertise and platforms under Recursion's umbrella but also boosts the company's drug development pipeline to 10 in-house programs, spanning preclinical to clinical stages.
Oblate Optics Selected for Prestigious Luminate NY Accelerator
Oblate Optics
uses AI-optimized meta-lenses to transform laser optics technology. The company designs and manufactures ultralight, low-cost, high-performance optical surfaces that offer game-changing improvements across several industries. They work on replacing bulky, traditional lens systems with lightweight, precision-engineered meta-lenses.
Oblate Optics gained national recognition for its breakthrough work and was selected for Round 8 of the Luminate NY Accelerator Program. One of the world's most competitive programs for startups focused on optics, photonics, and imaging (OPI) innovation. Chosen from over 197 applications across 38 countries, they secured a place in the cohort, receiving an initial $100,000 investment and a chance to compete for up to $2 million in additional funding upon completion of the seven-month program.
The program is widely known for advancing startups that are developing industry-first solutions. By participating in the Luminate NY Accelerator program, Oblate Optics will be able to sharpen its investor readiness, strengthen its commercialization strategies, and connect with a global network of experts and resources based in New York's Finger Lakes region.
