MindMend Biotech LLC: Company Profile

Background

Overview

MindMend Biotech LLC is a woman-owned biomedical engineering company specializing in the development of wearable biosensors for monitoring neurodegenerative diseases, with an initial focus on Parkinson's disease. The company integrates advanced materials science, embedded electronics, electrochemical sensing, and AI-driven signal analysis to provide real-time, clinically meaningful neurological monitoring. MindMend Biotech is committed to advancing equitable healthcare, particularly in underserved rural communities, through decentralized clinical trial solutions and accessible diagnostic tools.

Mission and Vision

MindMend Biotech's mission is to revolutionize care for individuals with neurodegenerative disorders by developing innovative technology and conducting groundbreaking research. The company aims to empower those living with Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions by creating accessible, continuous monitoring solutions that enhance quality of life. MindMend envisions a future where neurological disorders are better understood, managed, and treated effectively, bridging the gap between engineering innovation and clinical application.

Industry Significance

In the biomedical engineering industry, MindMend Biotech stands out for its interdisciplinary approach to monitoring neurodegenerative diseases. By combining cutting-edge technologies and focusing on underserved populations, the company addresses critical gaps in continuous, real-time monitoring and data collection, which are essential for advancing research and improving patient outcomes.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

• Continuous Monitoring: Develop wearable devices that provide real-time, continuous monitoring of neurodegenerative disease progression.

• Decentralized Clinical Trials: Enhance the quality and inclusivity of clinical trials by integrating continuous monitoring tools, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

• Accessible Diagnostics: Create diagnostic and monitoring tools that are accessible and user-friendly, facilitating early detection and personalized treatment plans.

Areas of Specialization

• Wearable Biosensors: Design and develop devices capable of continuous in vivo detection of biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

• Electrochemical Sensing: Utilize electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for precise biomarker detection.

• AI-Driven Data Analysis: Implement artificial intelligence algorithms for real-time data analysis and pattern recognition.

Key Technologies Utilized

• Advanced Materials Integration: Incorporate materials such as graphene oxide, gold nanoparticles, and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to enhance sensor performance.

• Embedded Systems Design: Develop integrated systems for biosignal acquisition and processing.

• AI and Machine Learning: Apply machine learning algorithms for biomarker pattern recognition and classification.

Primary Markets Targeted

• Clinical Research Organizations (CROs): Provide tools for more efficient and inclusive clinical trials.

• Healthcare Providers: Offer diagnostic and monitoring solutions for patient care.

• Underserved Communities: Focus on rural and remote populations to improve healthcare accessibility.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

MindMend Biotech has secured over $100,000 in non-dilutive and investor funding. This includes a $60,000 North Dakota Bioscience Innovation Grant in the company's first year, one of the state's most competitive R&D grants. Additionally, the company raised $45,000 in investment capital and received $10,000 from the University of North Dakota's Runway Accelerator to support commercialization efforts.

Utilization of Capital

The funds have been allocated towards:

• Product Development: Building and validating a fully functional prototype of the NeuroClear ProPark wearable device.

• Clinical Validation: Conducting studies to validate the device's efficacy in monitoring Parkinson's disease progression.

• Regulatory Preparation: Preparing for FDA regulatory approval and ensuring compliance with medical device standards.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

• NeuroClear ProPark: A minimally invasive wearable device designed to continuously measure alpha-synuclein levels, a key biomarker in Parkinson's disease, through the skin.

Stages of Development

• Prototype Validation: The device has been built and validated within 12 months of founding.

• Clinical Trials: Plans are in place to initiate clinical trials to assess the device's effectiveness in real-world settings.

• Regulatory Approval: The company is preparing for FDA regulatory approval to bring the device to market.

Target Conditions

• Parkinson's Disease: Focus on continuous monitoring of disease progression and treatment response.

Anticipated Milestones

• Prototype Completion: Achieved within the first year of operation.

• Clinical Trial Initiation: Expected in the near future, pending regulatory approvals.

• Market Launch: Anticipated following successful clinical trials and regulatory clearance.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

• NeuroClear ProPark Device: A wearable biosensor that continuously monitors alpha-synuclein levels through the skin, providing real-time data to clinicians and researchers.

Significant Scientific Methods

• Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS): Utilized for precise in vivo detection of biomarkers.

• Advanced Materials Integration: Incorporates materials like graphene oxide and gold nanoparticles to enhance sensor performance.

• AI-Driven Data Analysis: Employs machine learning algorithms for real-time data analysis and pattern recognition.

Leadership Team

Mercedes Terry, MSc – CEO & Co-Founder

Mercedes Terry is the CEO and co-founder of MindMend Biotech. With a strong background in neuroscience and behavioral health, she brings a patient-centered approach to innovation in neurodegenerative disease care. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of North Dakota, focusing on engineering translational biomarker discovery and monitoring tools to advance Parkinson's disease diagnosis and treatment.

Abigail Tubbs, MSc – Chief Technology Officer

Abigail Tubbs serves as the Chief Technology Officer at MindMend Biotech. With a background in electrical engineering and a master's in engineering project management, she leads the development and integration of the company's sensor technology. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D., with dissertation research focused on digital twin development to improve clinical trial diversity.

Kiley – Senior Biomedical Engineering Lead Intern

Kiley is a senior in the biomedical engineering program at the University of North Dakota, concentrating in electrical engineering. She supports hardware development and contributes to ensuring the technology meets standards of precision and innovation at MindMend.

Jaren – Embedded Systems and Data Acquisition Intern

Jaren is a senior in the biomedical engineering program at the University of North Dakota. He brings experience in circuit design and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and contributes to the development and optimization of the wearable biosensing platform.

Kate – Senior Sensor Development Intern

Kate is a sophomore in the biomedical engineering program at the University of North Dakota. She combines her love for neuroscience with engineering to advance the field of neurotechnology and contributes to MindMend’s sensor development efforts.

Kyan – Senior Hardware Development Intern

Kyan is a junior in the biomedical engineering program at the University of North Dakota. At MindMend, he contributes to both sensor development and hardware development, driven by his passion for creating devices that improve everyday lives.

Hannah – Hardware Integration Fellow

Hannah is a master’s student in the Biomedical Engineering program, specializing in mechanical engineering. With a background in both hardware and software, she supports hardware development and leverages her problem-solving expertise to help advance innovative technologies at MindMend.

Rohon – Hardware Integration Fellow

Rohon is a master’s student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of North Dakota with a background in neuroscience research and experience in animal trials. He brings both scientific expertise and practical research skills to the MindMend team.

Daniel – Lab Support Fellow

Daniel is a freshman in the Biomedical Engineering program at the University of North Dakota. At MindMend, he applies his science-based knowledge through lab work and research to support the development of new medical technologies.