Sterilex is a recognized industry leader for developing innovative, award-winning solutions for microbial control. The company markets a line of proprietary, award winning biofilm-control biocides, broad spectrum disinfectants and rapid biofilm diagnostic tools that can be used for a variety of applications, including food and beverage protection, animal health, and water treatment applications.

A&G is focused on the identification of biomarkers involved in the development of cancer cells and using such biomarkers as targets, developing theranostic (diagnostic and therapeutic combination) products useful in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of cancer. The company is comprised of two divisions, an R&D division focused on theranostic products, and the Precision Antibody division, recognized worldwide as a provider of high-quality, customized antibodies to pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as federal laboratories.

A&G has grown from an incubator company with four employees to a 12,000 sq.-ft. facility with 30 employees, of whom >50 percent are Maryland graduates. A&G’s financing is a mix of equity funding and profits from Precision Antibody. Non-dilutive funding has been obtained from NIH and Avon Foundation grants. The MIPS funding of studies at the University of Maryland have been important in the company’s goal of developing diagnostic kits for its theranostic portfolio.

A&G’s lead products in development, based on a unique biomarker called GP88 (progranulin), target both lung and breast cancer, as well as several other cancers. GP88, a glycoprotein, is produced and required by cancer cells for growth, proliferation and survival. In clinical studies, GP88 was detected in >80 percent of breast cancer tumors. High levels of GP88 in such tumors are statistically associated with a five-fold increase in the risk of recurrence, compared with patients with low or no GP88 detected in tumors. GP88 blood levels have been shown to be statistically elevated in breast cancer patients with progressive disease, compared with healthy individuals. Concurrent with the development of GP88 diagnostic kits for detecting GP88 in tumor tissue and blood, A&G is pursuing the development of an associated anti-GP88 monoclonal antibody therapeutic.  In pre-clinical xenograft models, the antibody was demonstrated to inhibit tumor growth and promote tumor regression. Toxicology and safety studies demonstrated anti-GP88 is safe and showed no toxicities in either acute or repeat dose studies. Thanks to an SBIR/NCI grant ($2 million), this therapeutic will enter Phase 1 clinical trials in 2018. The two diagnostic products will be used in this study to identify patients for treatment with the anti-GP88 and subsequently for monitoring patients during and post-treatment.

TRX Systems delivers GPS-denied location software and solutions. TRX is the first company to use sensor fusion and the dynamic mapping of structural, magnetic, and RF features to pinpoint location indoors, underground, and in dense urban areas. The company’s NEON® location solutions use low-cost MEMS sensors, combined with higher level mapping algorithms, to deliver accurate 3D location, including the elevation of personnel within buildings.

Pixelligent is an advanced materials company that delivers next-generation optical materials for demanding applications in solid-state lighting, flat panel displays, and optical components.

Pixelligent leverages its proprietary nanocrystal dispersion and manufacturing technology to create innovative materials that significantly improve existing products. The company’s Zirconia nanocrystals are used to improve the optical, electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties of numerous commonly used polymers including acrylics, silicones, siloxanes and epoxies.

In LED and OLED lighting applications, Pixelligent’s materials significantly increase light output by increasing the refractive index of materials in the device. In display and optical components applications, the company’s products can increase transparency, decrease haze, and increase scratch resistance.

RioRey Inc. is an innovative technology company that specializes in the design and manufacture of dedicated security solutions to protect networks against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. The company’s key focus is keeping defense platforms comprehensive (protecting against all known types of DDoS attacks) while ensuring that detection and mitigation is automatic.

Automated Precision Inc. (API) is a world leader in coordinate measurement solutions. Leading the metrology industry through innovation, API products are used by many of the world’s top automotive, aerospace, machine tool, and CMM manufacturers.

API’s technology improves production processes, from design and innovation to production, quality checks and inspections. The company offers dimensional inspection and metrology services, including consulting, calibration, machine tool error mapping, contract measurement, 3D CAD modeling and reverse engineering to solve difficult measurement problems.

Maritime Applied Physics Corporation (MAPC) has a 30-year history of designing and building advanced technology systems for both commercial and government sponsors. What began as an engineering services company in the 1980’s has evolved into a research, engineering, and manufacturing company that conceives and builds technology-rich systems. MAPC has a combination of engineering and heavy fabrication capabilities that enable the company to design, prototype and produce innovative systems.

MAPC has specific experience with the design of electronic systems for advanced vehicles, including ground robots, hydrofoils, passenger vessel motion reduction systems, rudder and autopilot systems, watercraft launch and recovery systems, shipboard machinery systems, and unmanned aircraft launch and recovery systems. The company has an excellent capability to perform the dynamic simulations of control problems and design and implement digital controls for these systems. MAPC has built and supplied inertial navigation systems and robotic control systems on land, air and sea vehicles. The company has built electric vehicles for a major car company.