Monday, December 22, 2025
The Institute for Translational Research was one of the many sponsors of the New Orleans BioInnovation Center BioChallenge
Pitch Competition, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, where innovators are redefining
the future of brain health.
The Bio Challenge is an annual event that supports early-stage biotechnology startups that are addressing the world’s most urgent health challenges. This year’s competition included five companies focused on developing neurotechnology. Dr. Sid O’Bryant, executive director for the Institute for Translational Research, served as a keynote speaker and one of the judges at the event.
“Our mission is to advance groundbreaking research and innovation to achieve a world of optimal brain health for all – and the companies in this year’s Bio Challenge represent exactly that kind of transformative potential,” O'Bryant said.
This year’s grand prize winner and audience favorite was JuneBrain Inc. — Leveraging
AI and high-resolution retinal imaging to detect and monitor neuroinflammation and
neurodegeneration remotely. They specialize in developing optical coherence tomography
products that expand the reach of neurology and ophthalmology into underserved communities
worldwide. They have an experienced team of biomedical engineers, software developers,
neurologists, and ophthalmologists, and collaborate with Johns Hopkins University
and the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Congratulations to all the finalists and winners. Not only are the groundbreaking research and innovation in our labs and classrooms important, but it is also vital that they translate into the care our communities deserve. This is one of the key founding principles of our mission at the Institute for Translational Research, and we are proud to support companies like NOBIC that are making it happen.
From UNT Health Newsroom - Research by Kara Ottinger