Startup companies built on Washington University in St. Louis discoveries attracted a record $1.7 billion in private-sector investment over the past year, funding that WashU leaders say is speeding the path from campus research to diagnostics, therapeutics and medical devices.
University officials said the financing—coming from venture capital and private equity firms—flowed directly to independent startups formed around WashU intellectual property, helping companies fund validation work, clinical trials and other steps required for regulatory approval and commercialization. Technologies highlighted by the university include a blood test aimed at diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, cell-based immunotherapies for aggressive blood cancers, and an AI-based tool designed to predict breast cancer risk.
David H. Perlmutter, MD, WashU Medicine’s executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean, said the total reflects growing investor confidence in the university’s ability to translate science into real-world patient impact, and pointed to an acceleration in company formation and licensing activity designed to move discoveries out of the lab and into development.
WashU said commercialization activity has been rising across multiple areas, including neurosciences, imaging and cancer. In fiscal year 2025, faculty disclosed 268 inventions, received 68 U.S. patents and launched six new startups, according to the university. WashU also reported $17 million in licensing revenue that it said was reinvested into research programs.
The university also pointed to continued consolidation among university-born ventures: since December 2024, five WashU Medicine startups were acquired by or merged with larger companies, a route that can provide additional capital and infrastructure for manufacturing, regulatory work and distribution. Those companies were Sage Therapeutics, Neurolutions, Acera Surgical, Amptify and Prognosia Health.
WashU said its startup footprint is also driving regional economic activity. Of 115 WashU startups formed over several decades, the university said 38 active companies are based in the St. Louis region and collectively employ more than 1,100 people. Over time, WashU startups have attracted more than $6 billion in private-sector investment and helped move more than 30 university-developed technologies to market, the university said.
Among companies cited as anchors in the local ecosystem is C2N Diagnostics, which is advancing blood tests for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases and recently announced plans to expand and move its headquarters—and 98 employees—to St. Louis’ Cortex Innovation District. WashU also highlighted Wugen, a cell-therapy company co-founded in 2018 that is developing an off-the-shelf, “universal” CAR-T therapy for leukemias and lymphomas; WashU said the company’s 2025 investor financing helped it launch a phase 2 trial. Another example, DeepSight Technology, received FDA clearance in 2025 to market its NeedleVue LC1 Ultrasound System, designed to help guide minimally invasive procedures using ultrasound-assisted tool guidance.
WashU attributed part of the growth to expanded commercialization support through its Office of Technology Management, including the launch of a new ventures team in 2022 to coach faculty on investor pitching and startup formation, and a Quick Start License structure designed to streamline licensing terms for early-stage companies. The university also cited its gap funding program as a way to support translational work and increase the likelihood of industry partnerships.
Eight active WashU startups were cited as receiving significant investor funding over the past year: Wugen (blood-cancer immunotherapy), CardioWise (machine-learning cardiac imaging), DeepSight Technology (ultrasound guidance), PairiDex (residual leukemia detection), C2N Diagnostics (Alzheimer’s blood test), Armor Medical (obstetric hemorrhage warning system), Droplet Biosciences (lymph-based biopsy), and SentiAR (3D patient anatomy visualization).
KEY QUOTES:
“The $1.7 billion invested in WashU startups represents something far more than an impressive number — it reflects growing confidence that our science can translate into real-world solutions that improve patients’ lives in St. Louis and far beyond.” “Our growing culture of entrepreneurship fosters curiosity-driven research with ambitious translational goals and generates strong connections to industry, investors and the St. Louis biotech ecosystem.”
David H. Perlmutter, MD, Executive Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs and Dean, WashU Medicine
“WashU is launching high-caliber companies, and investors are taking notice.” “Such deals demonstrate our ability to move innovations out of the lab and into the clinic and commercial development, showcasing the university’s role in driving innovation and industry growth.”
Nichole R. Mercier, PhD, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Managing Director, Office of Technology Management
“Entrepreneurial momentum is building at WashU and has a major impact on the region.” “The rising number of patents, licenses and startups over the last decade is a clear indicator of the exciting advancements to come.”
Doug E. Frantz, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Commercialization, Washington University in St. Louis
“We believe Wugen, born and bred in St. Louis, exemplifies the tremendous impact of the city’s thriving biotech ecosystem on young companies.”
John F. DiPersio, MD, PhD, WashU Medicine Professor and Wugen Co-Founder
“OTM’s resources helped put DeepSight on the right track to turn our idea into reality.”
Lan Yang, PhD, Founder, DeepSight Technology; Professor, WashU McKelvey Engineering
“WashU is primed to lead in innovation with its exceptional talent, collaborative spirit and diverse scientific expertise.”
Eric Leuthardt, MD, WashU Medicine Professor and Neurolutions Co-Founder
