Life Science Tennessee (LifeSciTN) today announced the five companies chosen to present Oct. 21 during the LifeSciTN Conference and Venture Forum, during its annual conference, Oct. 20-22 in Nashville.

The group's press release today said presenting companies include:

- EndoInSight (Memphis)

EndoInSight provides low-cost disposable CO² gas sources to colonoscopy centers that reduce patient pain. By helping patients to have less pain, centers can increase throughput and decrease the nursing hours needed to treat patients. The C02 device will help nurses be more efficient and less stressed, by simplifying the medical process and reducing the amount of time patients must spend in recovery.

- Innovasan Corporation (Knoxville)

Innovasan has developed a waste filtration device to treat and clean waste water. Their product is designed to biologically disinfect and functionally denature organic compounds and pollutants found in fluid medical waste streams, agricultural runoff, and industrial waste.

- 3D Operations, Inc. (Chattanooga)

3D Operations, Inc. is an additive manufacturing (3D printing) company in the healthcare industry that provides anatomical models based on a patient's imaging data such as an MRI or CT scan. Unlike virtual two-dimensional alternatives, the 3D models allow surgeons to hold and examine a patient's specific anatomy prior to starting any procedure or treatment.

- VDDI Pharmaceuticals (Nashville)

VDDI Pharmaceuticals was formed because of a need for developing early-stage drugs that are being passed over for larger, more lucrative drugs with proven efficiency. VDDI Pharmaceuticals plans to pursue these early-stage products qualifying for fast track approval, primarily in the areas of cancer, cardiovascular disease and infectious disease, and develop the products through Phase II of the required regulatory approval process.

- PEURegen (Nashville)

PEURegen Inc. seeks to advance the wound healing market by developing a pipeline of cost effective biodegradable wound care products that will enhance healthy tissue regeneration. Made of polyurethane, amino acid lysine-based, biodegradable, synthetic skin scab scaffold, their product can be used for treatment of deep-full thickness skin wounds.

"The presenting companies show the capabilities and talent of the life science industry throughout our state," said Sam Lynch, president and CEO of Lynch Biologics and chairman of the LifeSciTN board of directors. "Each year our competing companies get better and better. With the addition of several new prizes, including $5,000 in cash, this year's competition is especially strong," said Lynch in a release.

The LifeSciTN Annual Conference brings together industry experts, investors and innovators during the two-and-a-half day meeting. The forum meets a growing need to bridge the gap between researchers, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists in Tennessee. The forum is designed to create an interactive and vibrant atmosphere in which to create partnerships and raise capital.

These five companies will present in front of the entire conference audience including regional investors, industry experts and four TNInvestco Funds that regularly invest in life science companies: Innova Fund, Limestone Fund, MB Venture Partners and Tri-Star Technology Fund. Investment decisions are made independently from the Venture Forum selection and judging process. Top presenters will be offered complementary start-up business services from LifeSciTN Venture Forum supporters. Services include:

• $5,000 cash prize courtesy of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis
• Development and production of a five-minute pitch video courtesy of Benchfly
• Opportunity for video showcase in reception at SE Bio Investor & Partnering Forum (SEBio)
• Two registrations to LaunchTN's Southland 2015 conference
• Start-up corporate legal package, courtesy of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis
• A day of strategic planning, financial analysis and/or business valuation consulting by Kraft Analytics

For more information on the Venture Forum contact Alex Cate acate-at-lifesciencetn-dot-org or visit the website. [END]