Triangle Venture Day links emerging university-led biotech startups with entrepreneurial ecosystem

On Sept. 24, 2025, 24 emerging startups from across the Research Triangle pitched their life science innovations at Triangle Venture Day, a regional showcase designed to connect early-stage ventures with national investors, corporate partners and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Hosted at Apella by Alexandria in Research Triangle Park, the event spotlighted technologies developed at North Carolina State University, Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBiotech).

Organized collaboratively by the four institutions, the event drew 139 venture capitalists, corporate leaders and life science executives. Presenting companies covered a wide range of therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunotherapy, infectious disease, autoimmune disorders and RNA-based therapeutics, addressing areas of high unmet medical need.

“Triangle Venture Day is a true reflection of what makes this region unique: the spirit of collaboration, the depth of scientific talent and the drive to turn breakthrough research into real-world solutions for patients,” said Tim Martin, Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor of New Ventures and Investments.

NC State startups featured

Five NC State-affiliated ventures took the stage, showcasing platforms and therapeutics with potential to reshape drug development and delivery.

• Certera Bio: Presented by co-founder Mabel Barreiro, Certera is advancing Tissue Reactive Anchoring Pharmaceuticals (TRAP), a platform designed to localize cancer drugs precisely at the tumor site. By anchoring therapeutics exactly where they are needed, the platform increases drug efficacy, reduces toxicity and bypasses limitations related to absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME). Certera’s technology originated in the labs of Yev Brudno and Josh Pierce.
  
• Persistence Therapeutics: Led by CEO Charles Buchen, Persistence is developing Synthnode, an in vivo CAR T-cell platform that generates therapeutic cells directly within the patient’s body. The approach eliminates complex ex vivo manufacturing and could improve access to cell therapies across patient populations. The platform stems from research in Yev Brudno’s lab.
  
• Ancilia Bio: Co-founded by Dr. Alexandra Sakatos, Ancilia is using CRISPR technology to engineer viral immunity into beneficial gut bacteria. By protecting these microbes, often used as live biotherapeutics, from naturally occurring bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria), Ancilia aims to unlock the full therapeutic potential of the microbiome. The company’s foundational work was developed in Rodolphe Barrangou’s lab.
  
• Intra Therapeutics: Led by Dr. David Zaharoff, Intra is focused on localized cancer immunotherapy. Its XCSgel platform retains immunostimulatory agents at the tumor site, maximizing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity. The approach offers a promising solution to the dosing and delivery challenges facing intratumoral immunotherapy. Intra’s technology is based on work from Zaharoff’s lab.
  
• Helixomer: CEO Dave Harrell presented Helixomer’s proprietary RNA origami platform, which enhances aptamer-based drugs with precise nanoscale design. By improving binding specificity and stability, the platform aims to address longstanding challenges in RNA drug development and unlock new applications for hard-to-treat diseases. Helixomer’s platform originated in the lab of Thom LaBean.

Advancing biotech through collaboration

Throughout the day, founders delivered brief pitches highlighting their scientific approach, the patient needs driving their innovation and what differentiates their technology in a competitive biotech landscape.

“Investors are paying close attention to what’s happening here,” Martin said. “The science is exceptional, the startup support is growing, and there’s real momentum. Events like this help ensure that NC State startups have the exposure and platform they need to succeed.”

Triangle Venture Day reflects a broader commitment across the region’s universities and research institutions to support early-stage biotech ventures. By creating opportunities for startups to connect with investors and industry leaders, the event helps foster continued growth within North Carolina’s life sciences ecosystem.

Want to learn more about these groundbreaking startups or explore partnership opportunities? Contact the NC State Office of Research Commercialization at commercialization@ncsu.edu, or view our startup portfolio to discover how we’re advancing biotech innovation across the Triangle.