SmartHealth Catalyzer
Venture studioChicago · Pre-Seed–Seed · 1 people tracked
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Investment thesis
SmartHealth Catalyzer builds biomedical startups by commercializing therapeutics, diagnostics, and medical devices developed at Midwest universities and research hospitals. The firm combines academic research with experienced biotech entrepreneurs and specialists to launch new ventures focused on diagnosing, preventing, and treating life-threatening diseases.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 7, 2026.
Team · 1 people
from public directoriesWhat they invest in
from 3 of 7 portfolio companiesBiotech ×3Healthtech ×2Medical Devices ×2AI & Machine Learning ×1Digital Health ×1FemTech ×1
HQs:United States×2
Investments · 7 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2024 · 12023 · 12 dated
A biotech company focused on microbiome and metabolomics research for gastrointestinal health applications, with leadership and scientific advisory rooted in academic medicine and regulatory expertise.
BiotechDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesIllinois, US
Joseph Francis Pierre(Director)Brian Yoor(Director)Eugene Chang(Director)Jaime Contreras(Director)John C. Alverdy(Director)Peter Farmakis(Executive Officer, Director)
Created a point-of-care diagnostic platform for specialty physician and oncologist offices enabling rapid cancer diagnosis during patient visits.
Developing a first-in-class smartlens system for glaucoma treatment that rapidly reduces intraocular pressure in patients.
Co-investorsElevate Ventures
Cadenza Bio develops small-molecule drugs for oral administration to treat demyelinating and inflammatory diseases.
BiotechFemTechMedical DevicesYukon, US
Carol Curtis, PhD(Chief Executive Officer, Founder)Elaine Hamm, PhD(Chief Operating Officer, Founder)John Katzenellenbogen, PhD(Scientific Founder)Seema Tiwari-Woodruff, PhD(Scientific Founder)Elaine Hamm(Executive Officer, Director)Carol Curtis(Executive Officer, Director)in
Co-investorsCortado VenturesIllinois VenturesOklahoma Life SciencePlains Ventures
The company develops cancer immunotherapy treatments.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechHealthtech
Rich Johnson(Co-Founder, VP of Development)inDominique Kendrick(Co-Founder, SVP of Regulatory Affairs)Prof. James Moon(Co-Founder, Chief Scientific Officer)Prof. Yu Leo Lei(Co-Founder, Clinical and Pre-Clinical Advisor)Robert Petit(Co-Founder, Clinical and Pre-Clinical Advisor)inMatthew Martin(Co-Founder, Partner at Pathway Bioventures)
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
BEST OF THE BIOMIDWESTDelphian Website
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has SmartHealth Catalyzer made?
- SmartHealth Catalyzer has 7 tracked investments.
- What stage does SmartHealth Catalyzer invest at?
- SmartHealth Catalyzer invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What sectors does SmartHealth Catalyzer focus on?
- SmartHealth Catalyzer focuses on Biotech, Healthtech, Medical Devices.
- Where is SmartHealth Catalyzer located?
- SmartHealth Catalyzer is headquartered in Chicago, US.
- Who does SmartHealth Catalyzer co-invest with?
- SmartHealth Catalyzer most often shares deals with Cortado Ventures, Elevate Ventures, Illinois Ventures, among 5 tracked co-investors.
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