Atsena Therapeutics Receives Rare Pediatric Disease Designation From the U.S. FDA for ATSN-201 Gene Therapy To Treat X-Linked Retinoschisis
UF startup Atsena Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on bringing the life-changing power of genetic medicine to reverse or prevent blindness, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Rare Pediatric Disease designation (RPD) for ATSN-201 for the treatment of X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS).
GatorX Advances to Semi-Final Round of XPRIZE Track B Autonomous Wildfire Challenge

Fire Neural Network (FNN) announced that their team, GatorX, is advancing to the semi-final round of the XPRIZE Track B Autonomous Wildfire Challenge. GatorX is a well-rounded partnership between Fire Neural Network, the University of Florida, NVIDIA, SATLANTIS, SwissDrones, Archer Aviation, SWIR Vision Systems, and N5 Sensors.
Camera in Space to Capture the Impossible
Satlantis has been developing a camera to photograph the universe’s dark matter — which, by the way, is invisible.
JPMorgan Upgrades Solid Biosciences Stock, Sees Growth Potential
JPMorgan upgraded Solid Biosciences stock, a biotechnology company that acquired UF startup AavantiBio, from Neutral to Overweight, and increased the price target to $15.00 from the previous $10.00. The firm’s decision reflects a positive outlook on the company’s prospects, particularly with upcoming developments expected in the fourth quarter.
First Type 1 Diabetes Patient Enrolled in Rise Therapeutics’ Latest Clinical Trial
Rise Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel oral immunotherapeutic medicines, announced it has enrolled its first patient in its R-5280 placebo-controlled, blinded, Phase 1b type 1 diabetes clinical trial.
Cannabix Technologies and Omega Laboratories Inc. Provide Positive Developments on Marijuana Breathalyzer Testing
UF startup Cannabix Technologies Inc. reports that early testing by Omega Laboratories Inc. with Cannabix’s marijuana breathalyzer technology has garnered positive results.
RTI Surgical Has a New Chief Commercial Officer
UF startup RTI Surgical has appointed Chad Croasdale as chief commercial officer for his more than 20 years of commercial and financial experience in the medtech industry.
Kriya Appoints Scientific Co-Founder J. Fraser Wright, Ph.D., as Chief Gene Therapy Officer
UF startup Kriya Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing gene therapies to address common diseases affecting millions of people around the world, announced the appointment of J. Fraser Wright, Ph.D., to the position of chief gene therapy officer.
Beacon Therapeutics Raises $170 Million in Series B Funding to Advance Development of Ophthalmic Gene Therapies
Beacon Therapeutics, a leading ophthalmic gene therapy company that acquired UF startup AGTC to save and restore the vision of patients with blinding retinal diseases, announced it has raised $170 million in Series B funding.
NASA’s Noise-Testing Tool Finds Applications Beyond Aircrafts
Airplane manufacturers running noise tests on new aircraft now have a much cheaper option than traditional wired microphone arrays. And it’s sensitive enough to help farmers with pest problems. The wireless microphone array that one company recently created with help from NASA can locate crop-threatening insects by listening for sounds they make in fields. And now, it’s making fast, affordable testing possible almost anywhere.