Columbia, SC — SC Launch Inc., the investment affiliate of the South Carolina Research Authority, has invested $250,000 in NeuroQuest. The Charleston-based company is developing NeuroScreen® to provide an accurate and affordable blood test for early screening and monitoring of asymptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.
NeuroQuest became a SCRA Member Company and SC Launch Inc. Portfolio Company when it received its first investments totaling $550,000.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and by 2050, this number is projected to rise to almost 13 million. “These devastating statistics are why we’re so supportive of NeuroQuest’s mission,” said SC Launch Program Director Lee MacIlwinen. “NeuroQuest’s team is comprised of medical experts and business professionals from around the world with extensive experience in innovation, development, and clinical research, and they have the experience to lead in this ground-breaking way.”
“The teams at SCRA and SC Launch Inc. have been with us from the beginning, and we really appreciate their advice and funding. Our solution uniquely identifies asymptomatic individuals as early and effectively as possible,” said NeuroQuest CEO Jason Maxwell. “Our test delivers benefits for not only patients and their families, but also for healthcare providers and treatment prescribers.”
“We’re excited to continue supporting such an important diagnostic solution. The team at NeuroQuest will be finalizing its pre-clinical product development with this investment. This is another important step to earlier and better detection for Alzheimer’s,” said SC Launch Inc. Executive Director Matt Bell. “We look forward to their continued success.”
NeuroQuest presented research demonstrating the efficacy of NeuroScreen® at the most recent Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, where the leading global medical and scientific dementia research community meets to learn about the latest research, products, and solutions available in treating Alzheimer’s and related dementias. NeuroQuest Chairman of the Board Dr. Jacobo Mintzer explained that NeuroScreen® introduces a breakthrough in the evolution of Alzheimer’s diagnostics.
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Established in 2006, SC Launch Inc. is the investment affiliate of the South Carolina Research Authority. The independent, nonprofit corporation provides convertible loans and investment funding to qualifying SCRA Member Companies. The returns on this funding provide the resources for additional investments to next-generation technology startups.
Chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina as a public, nonprofit corporation, South Carolina Research Authority fuels the state’s innovation economy through the impact of its comprehensive services to technology-based startups, academia, and industry. SCRA provides funding and support to accelerate the growth of academic startups; high-quality lab and administrative workspaces; facilitation and funding for partnerships between and among industry, startups, and academic institutions; assistance and funding for the relocation of technology-based companies to South Carolina; and coaching and funding for startups that may also receive investments from its affiliate, SC Launch Inc.
Media Contact
Adrianne Grimes
Director of Marketing and Communications, SCRA
adrianne.grimes@scra.org
