Featured Technology: Leaf Sense
Cherie Kagan, PhD, the Stephen J. Angello Professor of Electrical and Systems Engineering at Penn Engineering, invented small, biodegradable leaf sensors that can measure the health of plants.
BioAdvance Capital Invests in Penn Life Sciences Startups
These investments will support the startups in further developing their treatments and technologies.
Network Bio Launches with $50 million in Funding to Create a Research Network of Large Biobanks to Drive AI Medical Research
Several U.S. Academic Medical Centers, including Penn Medicine, have partnered with Network Bio to generate large-scale multi-omic and multi-modal datasets.
Dispatch Bio Initiates Clinical Trials for a New Type of Cancer Treatment
The technology is intended to overcome a key limitation of current CAR-T cell therapies by broadening the range of tumors that can be targeted and treated.
Veradermics Reports First Positive Efficacy in Women for Hair Loss Treatment
Veradermics reported positive results for its oral formulation of minoxidil to treat female pattern hair loss.
Biogen Reports Early Success from Apellis Acquisition
Since Biogen’s acquisition of Apellis in May 2026, the company’s C3 complement therapies, Syfovre® and Empaveli®, have generated a combined $128 million in revenues.
Nia Therapeutics Develops Breakthrough Device to Restore Memory
The device is based on technology developed at Penn by Dr. Kahana and Dr. Rizzuto.
Kira Pharmaceuticals to Merge with Jasper Therapeutics in a Deal Backed by $132M to Advance Immune Disease Pipeline
Jasper Therapeutics recently completed its merger with Kira Pharmaceuticals.
New mRNA Vaccine Could Reduce the Recurrence and Spread of Skin Cancer
Moderna and Merck announced a successful late-stage trial for a personalized mRNA vaccine designed to help prevent the return and spread of melanoma.
Press Highlights of FY26
During the 2025 fiscal year, there were 119 press mentions for PCI-supported programs, startups and partners. Some of the most popular and widely circulated stories are included here.