VC money leaving Bay Area is coming to Cincy

For the first time in more than a decade, the proportion of seed- and early-stage capital invested in Bay Area startups is on pace to drop below 30%. That’s one of the big discoveries from data collected by Revolution and PitchBook. In that report, Cincinnati made the list for one of the top cities where that money is now coming.

Mutual fund for Bitcoin  

Bo Howell, a shareholder at Strauss Troy and founder of Joot, is working with IDX Advisors to launch the first U.S. mutual fund for Bitcoin futures. The managed risk approach could be attractive to investors that are keen to gain portfolio exposure to Bitcoin but reluctant to risk their cash in the tricky volatility of crypto markets.

UC researcher’s drug effective against superbugs

A drug developed and patented by a University of Cincinnati (UC) researcher could be effective against superbugs. In a study just published, AB569 was shown to promote the killing of antibiotic-resistant bacteria while enhancing wound healing. Daniel Hassett, Ph.D., a professor in the department of molecular genetics, biochemistry and microbiology at the UC College of Medicine, has found that the drug kills virtually all pathogenic bacteria tested.

Gene therapy work at Cincinnati Children’s

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and research service provider CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services are forming a company that will focus on providing cell and gene therapy manufacturing services to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. In a release, Tim Schroeder, the CEO of CTI, said: “We anticipate advances in cell and gene therapies to bring about medical breakthroughs with the potential to not only treat, but actually cure some rare and complex diseases – including some forms of cancer.”

Virtual physical therapy

The Christ Hospital Health Network is adopting technology from IncludeHealth that brings physical therapy services right inside a patient’s home. Called MSK-OS, the tech delivers on-site and virtual physical therapy to orthopedic patients who face challenges receiving follow-up in-person care.