CATALYST Teaming Profiles
Thank you for showing an interest in ARPA-H’s Computational ADME-Tox and Physiology Analysis for Safer Therapeutics (CATALYST) program. This page is designed to help facilitate connections between prospective proposers. If either you or your organization are interested in teaming, please submit your information via the portal linked below. Your details will then be added to the list below, which is publicly available.
CATALYST anticipates that teaming will be necessary to achieve the goals of the program. Prospective performers are encouraged (but not required) to form teams with varied technical expertise to submit a proposal to the CATALYST solicitation.
Please note that by publishing the teaming profiles list, ARPA-H is not endorsing, sponsoring, or otherwise evaluating the qualifications of the individuals or organizations included here. Submissions to the teaming profiles list are reviewed and updated periodically.
Interested in learning more about the CATALYST program?
- Read the CATALYST Special Notice.
- Register to attend the hybrid Proposers’ Day on October 29, 2024.
- CATALYST program overview page
CATALYST Teaming
To narrow the results in the Teaming Profiles List, please use the input below to filter results based on your search term. The list will filter as you type.
| Contact | Organization Name | Location | Description of Research Focus Area | Description of Teaming Partner | Technical Areas | |
| John Clemmer | University of Mississippi Medical Center | jclemmer@umc.edu | Jackson, MS | Our laboratory uses physiological modeling to gain insight into disease such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure and their treatments. We use experimental and clinical data to extract important physiological concepts and translate them into quantitative physiological relationships to further develop the large mathematical model of whole-body physiology, HumMod, that was originally created by Dr. Arthur Guyton. | We would like to link our physiological model with detailed Finite element analysis (FEA) or Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to better model heart failure. | TA3: In silico human physiology and pathophysiology models |
| John Collins | Biopico Systems Inc | collins@biopico.com | Irvine, CA | The current interest of Biopico Systems Inc is developing high throughput preclinical multiorgan models for drug testing. We are currently focused on gut-brain/blood-brain-barrier models to integrate for toxicological and pharmacological testing. Specifically, we aim to study senescence-based mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease and radiation-induced senescence caused by space radiation and cancer treatments. We are also keen on advancing senotherapeutics development to counteract these conditions. | We are actively seeking drug developers who have screened molecules and have candidate drugs ready for testing in our in vitro model systems. Additionally, we are open to suggestions and collaborations that are relevant to our proposal. We welcome any opportunities for participation that could further enhance the success of this project. | TA2: Living systems tools for model development |
| Arezoo Ardekani | Purdue University | ardekani@purdue.edu | West Lafayette, IN | I have developed several high-fidelity computational models of transport processes related to subcutaneous injection of therapeutics and drug absorption, compartment models for drug bioavailability, in silico models of spring-driven autoinjectors, and computational models of tissue response to drug injection. Together with colleagues here at Purdue, we have worked on different aspects of in silico models of human physiology and drug delivery and published more than 70 journal articles. | We are seeking TA2 area with pathophysiology model capabilities | TA3: In silico human physiology and pathophysiology models |
| Yanguang Cao | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | yanguang@unc.edu | Chapel Hill, NC | We are focusing on developing in vitro tools (such as microphysiological systems and cellular 3D models) and in silico models (including context-specific physiologically-based pharmacokinetics (PBPK), pharmacodynamics, and quantitative systems pharmacology) to facilitate drug development and the early clinical translation of efficacy and toxicity. | TA1: AI/ML-driven drug discovery and early phase clinical translation; Seeking Product Sponsor and drug development collaborators | TA2: Living systems tools for model development, TA3: In silico human physiology and pathophysiology models |
| Ravi Iyengar | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai | ravi.iyengar@mssm.edu | New York City, NY | Systems Pharmacology: Please see our most recent paper in Nature Communications, Multiscale mapping of transcriptomic signatures for cardiotoxic drugs. (Nat Commun. 2024 Sep 11;15(1):7968. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-52145-4). The data and our analyses are available on a preliminary website (predictox.org). We have expertise in integrating transcriptomics and dynamic models for toxicity predictions (ref, Front Pharmacol 2023 doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1158222) | Folks with expertise in integrating advanced AI algorithms with Ordinary differential equations (ODE) & Partial differential equations (PDE) models -- Folks from Google developing the weather models using this approach. | TA3: In silico human physiology and pathophysiology models |
| Harsha Teja Garimella | CFD Research Corporation | harshatejagarimella@gmail.com | Huntsville, AL, AL | CFDRC has 20 years of experience in computational medicine, biology and pharmacology. Our open-access, CoBi multiscale modeling tools enable translation of in vitro MPS-based drug development data to in vivo human pharmacology. It enables linking whole-body compartmental, spatial organ/tissue, and signaling pathway models. We established QSP platform (ML-solver-analytics) for biologics and nano-formulations for neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. Plan to prime or contribute to TA2/TA3. | We are discussing potential collaboration with US academia with personalized PBPK/PD/ADME/BxK/Tox mechanistic and AI/ML capabilities. We are looking for potential Product Sponsor(s). | TA2: Living systems tools for model development, TA3: In silico human physiology and pathophysiology models |
| Riccardo Barrile | University of Cincinnati | riccardo.barrile@uc.edu | Cincinnati, OH | Our expertise lies in the development of vascularized Organ on Chip models, specifically focusing on the brain, lung, and intestine. | We are seeking expertise in in silico prediction, digital twin development, and pharmacokinetic analysis to enhance our research and development efforts. | TA2: Living systems tools for model development |
| Amir Nasajpour | Entropic Biosciences, Inc | anasajpour@entropicbiosciences.com | Los Angeles, CA | Entropic is a nationally recognized first-in-class platform technology by the National Inventors Hall of Fame and USPTO that makes 3D organoids and tissue at an unprecedented rate in less than 14 hours. We use this platform to address the in vitro drug screening and regenerative medicine market, which is projected in 2030 at $86B. | We are looking to leverage our first-in-class technology to build 3D organoids and tissues for ex vivo datasets for models to develop and generate datasets to inform the In silico human physiology models | TA2: Living systems tools for model development |
| Jason Rodriguez | Applied Research Associates, Inc | jrodriguez@ara.com | Arlington, VA | 1) Developing within-host models of disease dynamics/immune response and mechanism of actions for countermeasures for DTRA. 2) Building virtual avatars with physiological signatures as part of the DARPA Triage Challenge. 3) A model of respiratory risk assessment used by inhalation toxicologists to evaluate lung dosimetry. The latter applies to the within-host and physiological modeling for an end-to-end capability for host response, cascading impacts, and medical countermeasure modeling. | We are looking for TA-1 and TA-2 teammates. Our TA-3 capabilities are under active investments from multiple organizations and internal R&D funds, and many of our products are open source or freely available, so we represent the ability to leverage other portfolios investments for a more complete physiological modeling package. | TA3: In silico human physiology and pathophysiology models |
| Andrzej Przekwas | CFD Research Corp | andrzej.przekwas@cfdrc.com | Huntsville, AL | CFD Research has 20 years of experience in multiscale computational medicine, biology and pharmacology. Our open access, CoBi multiscale modeling tools enable first ever translation of in vitro MPS-based drug development data to in vivo human pharmacology. CoBi-QSP enables linking whole-body compartmental, spatial organ/tissue, and signaling pathway models. | In the CATALYST program we plan to either prime or significantly contribute to TA2 and TA3. We are discussing potential collaboration with US academia with personalized PBPK/PD/ADME/BxK/Tox mechanistic and AI/ML capabilities. We are looking for potential Product Sponsor(s). | TA2: Living systems tools for model development, TA3: In silico human physiology and pathophysiology models |
| Jed Lampe | University of Colorado | jed.lampe@cuanschutz.edu | Aurora, CO | My team is uniquely positioned to develop comprehensive in vitro and in silico models of drug metabolism and disposition throughout the human lifespan, as drug disposition varies dramatically as a function of age. In particular, we have proven expertise in developing drug disposition models in special population groups, such as pregnant persons, neonates, and developing infants. We are currently extending these models to predict drug pharmacokinetics and disposition in the elderly as well. | We are currently looking for industrial partners that will work with us to implement these novel models to support IND applications by providing them with timely information on drug disposition and pharmacokinetics in a variety of populations groups to support more accurate, faster, cheaper, and safer clinical trials. | TA2: Living systems tools for model development, TA3: In silico human physiology and pathophysiology models |
| Emma Wyllie | Datavant | EmmaWyllie@datavant.com | Phoenix, AZ | Datavant is a leader in privacy-preserving data exchange, connecting health data for 500+ institutions and 300 million patients, across 10 billion records. Their HIPAA-compliant solution combines with our ecosystem of data partners to support 800+ live connections. With advanced medical record retrieval and tokenization, Datavant enables the largest de-identified real-world data exchange, supporting everyone from pharmaceutical companies to large research institutions like the NIH. | We can facilitate data linkage and supplementary real-world data (RWD) inclusion to any project, and so would be seeking partners to provide the broader platform and toolkit required for this initiative. | TA1: Data discovery methods for predictive drug safety models |
| Nobuhiko Hamazaki | University of Washington | hamazaki@uw.edu | Seattle, WA | We are working on the modeling of human post-implantation development in vitro using human pluripotent stem cells. We recently established a stem-cell-based embryo model called RA-gastruloid (Hamazaki et al., 2024). The RA-gastruloid model can robustly recapitulate the Heart/Neural/Somite/Renal/Gut development with the embryonic morphologies. | We are seeking a partner(s) who is working on the analysis and prediction of the effects of the drug. | TA2: Living systems tools for model development |
| Min Yang | University of Washington | yangmin@uw.edu | Seattle, WA | We study chromosomal instability during the error-prone stage of early human embryogenesis. Dissecting the cellular fitness during embryogenesis informs not only pregnancy outcomes and developmental conditions, but also cancer research by modulating cellular fitness mechanisms. We have developed robust in vitro stem systems, including high throughput 2D and 3D stem cell models to study the relative fitness of cells with varying levels of genomic instability. | Partners who can provide products (either FDA-approved or novel drugs) to conduct drug screenings on our system to identify effectors that facilitate pregnancy, rescue Turner/Down syndrome phenotypes, or influence cell competition in general (applicable to cancer drug development). | TA2: Living systems tools for model development |
| Lena Neufeld | MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology | nlena@mit.edu | Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA | Our lab focuses on developing biomaterials for delivering small molecules, nucleic acids, and cell therapies. We address translational challenges through pre-clinical and first-in-human studies of new drug delivery and sensing technologies. Additionally, we develop machine learning tools to enhance drug formulation and delivery, and we use ex vivo/in vitro tissue models to study drug transport and tissue behavior. | Our group seeks team partners who bring complementary expertise in drug delivery, machine learning, or tissue modeling. We value innovative collaborators, driven by translational research, and experienced in pre-clinical and clinical development. Ideal partners will have strong capabilities in regulatory navigation, and scaling solutions for human use, with a shared goal of advancing next-generation therapeutics and technologies. | TA2: Living systems tools for model development |
| Cory Funk | Fulcrum Neuroscience | cfunk@fulcrumneuro.com | Seattle, WA, WA | Our digital twin capabilities extend into research, generating deep insights into disease pathology and variability in diverse populations. This research is driving novel biomarker characterization and innovative strategies for stabilizing brain energy metabolism, including new drugs. | We are looking for potential partners for development of pre-clinical models | Product Sponsor, Novel drug development activity |
| Francisco Nogueira | Accumulus Synergy | Francisco.nogueira@accumulus.org | San Francisco, CA | Accumulus Platform is a transformative data exchange platform to enable enhanced collaboration and efficiency between any two or more organizations throughout drug development life cycle (pre-clinical to post approval) and paving the way for a global digital dossier in the cloud | Pharma companies, Biotech, CRO's, Academic Centers and Regulators | TA1: Data discovery methods for predictive drug safety models |
| Jeremy Cramer | CHERRY BIOTECH | jeremy.cramer@cherrybiotech.com | PARIS (FRANCE) 14 rue de la Beaune, Montreuil | Cherry Biotech is a biomedical company which aims to better Predict drug's effect on Humans and replace Animal Experimentation via MultiOmic AI/ML Data Processing from our Organ on a Chip Platform. Uniquely in a standard multiwell plate, CUBIX platform enables to recreate in vitro immunocompetent vascularized human multi organ models and their complex tumor microenvironments mimicking in vivo phenotype. MultiOmic data generated are processed through AI/ML to better assess drug toxicity/efficacy. | Based on our skills in instrumentation, microphysiological model development, and multiomic data processing (phenomic, metabolomic, etc). We are looking for a team with expertise in clinical data collection, including anatomo-pathological data. The approach of retrospective comparative analysis of clinical data with our model will enable predictive models to be strengthened and validated. | TA3: In silico human physiology model |