of neurology. Jeannette R. Mahoney, Ph.D., professor of neurology at the Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University and president/founder of JET Worldwide Enterprises Inc., is the force behind CatchU ® , an app created to provide greater insight into the intersection of sensory, cognitive and motor function in aging. Currently available on Apple iOS, with an Android version forthcoming, CatchU is a first-of-its-kind quantitative app that assesses fall risk in older adults through a simple reaction-time test. During the test, users are presented with various sensory stimuli, and their response times to each target are tracked. These reaction times are measured to detect both potential fall risks and early signs of Alzheimer’s. The app is made available to patients through physician recommendations. “Once the patient has completed the 10-minute CatchU test, the results are sent directly through our proprietary algorithms, and a PDF report detailing the patient’s reaction time, multisensory results and recommendations is emailed directly to the ordering physician,” Dr. Mahoney shared with me in a recent conversation. “If the patient exhibits a positive peak of multisensory integration, they’re doing well and may not require follow-up for another year. However, if the multisensory integration waveform is in the negative, we know there’s a problem, and the patient should start following their physicians’ recommendations to be proactive instead of reactive in an effort to avoid potential falls.” CatchU is reimbursable through existing Medicare telemedicine codes, and Dr. Mahoney is working to eventually make this wellness device available directly for consumers who’d like to purchase it for their parents and others who would benefit from the results. On a personal note, I was delighted to help Dr. Mahoney secure an exclusive license with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and she also now has an official patent. Just as this edition of the newsletter went to press, I was delighted to learn that CatchU was selected as a winner of the National Institute on Aging’s 2025 Start-Up Challenge, an honor that includes a $65,000 cash prize! ... continued from Cover
From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market A BIOTECH BLUEPRINT FOR ENTREPRENEURS
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Successful entrepreneurship in the biotech space is the result of a unique combination of effective communication, teamwork and strategic partnerships with venture capitalists who can help bring an innovation from an initial idea to a market mainstay. This fundamental truth, along with much more, is explored in great detail in Episode 15 of Philip Crowley’s “From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market” podcast, which features a fascinating conversation with Jahanara Ali, Ph.D. In addition to being a life sciences industry veteran with experience in academia and company operations, Dr. Ali is a venture capital investor with a broad perspective on how today’s startup entrepreneurs can thrive in highly competitive and evolving industries. Given that finding the right venture capitalist is crucial to success, Dr. Ali recommends that startups carefully consider which ones to target for support. An ideal venture capitalist aligns with a company’s stage of development and area of interest. For example, if a startup is at the Series A stage (generally defined as when an early-stage company has shown positive progress in establishing its business model and exhibits clear signs of growth potential), it should seek support from investors focused on Series A funding. Additionally, startups must demonstrate a strong team framework, a clear business model and a deep understanding of their chosen market before pursuing venture capital funding. Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Ali stresses that startup entrepreneurs must be willing to learn, especially if their business knowledge is not as deep as their expertise in other areas. “Many biotech innovators are scientists. If you’re a scientist and don’t know the business side, find mentors. People are very generous in New York; there are many amazing mentors who are doing it pro bono. They can help bridge the gaps in your knowledge.” Hosted by Crowley Law LLC Founder and Managing Partner Philip Crowley, the “From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market” podcast explores the critical issues and concerns impacting the biotech, life sciences and startup markets by offering fresh perspectives from industry leaders and experts. It is available on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, all major podcast channels and at CrowleyLawLLC.com .
This is only a brief look at some of the extraordinary work being done throughout the life sciences and
technology fields to strengthen the cognitive health of millions. I hope you are as inspired by reading this article as I was in writing it. –Philip Crowley
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