Annate Bitherapeutics Wins Top Award at UGA Field to Fund: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity

Annate Bitherapeutics is proud to announce that CEO Eric DeJesus, PhD, received top recognition and a $2,500 award at the University of Georgia’s Field to Fund: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity event, hosted by the UGA Innovation District and Innovation Gateway. The competition brought together leading entrepreneurs and researchers from UGA and the University of Kentucky to present cutting-edge technologies addressing major scientific and medical challenges.

Dr. DeJesus’s pitch showcased Annate’s novel bispecific antibody platform that harnesses the human innate immune system for the treatment of multiple myeloma. By redirecting a naturally occurring component of the immune complex, Annate’s therapeutic approach targets and eliminates malignant cells with precision, opening new possibilities for treating resistant cancers.

The event featured dynamic discussions led by Jay Bailey (President & CEO, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs) and Keith Marshall (Co-CEO, The Players’ Lounge), followed by pitches from four high-impact startups. Judges included distinguished alumni Michael Bowling, Stacy A. Chick, Robert Orr, and Anath Qualls.

Annate Bitherapeutics was awarded the evening’s top prize, sponsored by Hutchison PLLC, which also provided each team with a complimentary hour of legal consultation.

“Events like Field to Fund show what’s possible when universities, investors, and innovators come together to celebrate entrepreneurship and push science forward,” said Dr. Eric DeJesus.

The evening highlighted the power of collaboration between academia and industry, reinforcing Annate’s role in translating academic innovation into transformative cancer treatments.

Read the full story at the University of Georgia’s Innovation site:
Inspiration and Innovation in Action: UGA Hosts Field to Fund