Discover Better Health in the Madison, WI, Region

Clark Kellogg

The University of Wisconsin–Madison, located in the Madison, WI, Region, has long been a fertile ground for innovation, and now its influence is driving discovery in the health care technology sector. Recently designated by the federal government as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub, the region boasts a burgeoning biohealth scene, fostered by a dynamic network including the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub consortium. 

“UW-Madison is thrilled to be part of the groundbreaking collaboration that helped secure the state’s Tech Hub designation,” says Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin. “Our culture of innovation and strong collaborative spirit, both within the university and across the state, make us well-positioned to make the most of this important opportunity.” 

A Place Where Innovation Happens 

UW has a deep entrepreneurial spirit that cultivates student and faculty entrepreneurs with programs supporting the growth of new businesses. This supportive environment makes it easier for companies to take their ideas from concepts to reality. Over the years, more than 400 startups have formed from UW research. 

One such company is BrainXell, which originates from the innovative work conducted in co-founder Su-Chun Zhang’s lab, where he serves as a neuroscience and neurology professor at the Waisman Center, situated on the UW-Madison campus. 

BrainXell pioneers drug discovery and toxicity assessment tools by utilizing patient-derived or genetically altered stem cells. The company’s specialization lies in the extensive manufacturing of distinct neural cells, primarily catering to the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. Through a venture led by its subsidiary, BrainXell Therapeutics, the cutting-edge cell technology extends its applications to treating severe central nervous system ailments like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and spinal cord injuries. 

“My ultimate goal is for this stem technology to help people with all debilitating disorders, particularly in the nervous system,” Zhang says. “We are working to develop therapeutic treatments for people who suffer from neurological problems.” 

Zhang has lived in the Madison Region and worked at the university for 27 years. 

“I love the city, but I also love the university,” he says. “This is the place I grew up academically and career-wise. Madison is really a nice place for startups, particularly in the biotech sector, because of the university. For a startup to succeed, technology and talent are essential. Madison offers both.” 

Perfect Place to Grow 

The Madison, WI, Region is an exceptional location for health care innovation, says Joseph A. Camilli of von Briesen & Roper law firm. Camilli specializes in working with existing and emerging health care companies in the region. 

“The University of Wisconsin consistently ranks as one of the top 10 research institutions in the nation, producing highly trained employees and attracting international entrepreneurs looking to develop their ideas and invest in the next major medical breakthrough,” Camilli says. “The city consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the country, further encouraging business owners to set up shop and keep their businesses in the area.” 

Camilli says that combination creates a business ecosystem teeming with the resources to foster business growth and innovation. 

“From a thriving business incubator scene that includes 100State, gener8tor, StartingBlock Madison and Merlin Mentors to investment funds and partners such as Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation to law firms and banks that are accustomed to working with health care innovation and startup companies, entrepreneurs and businesses can find an almost perfect combination of variables to give their business the best chance to succeed,” Camilli says. 

The impressive growth of companies like Epic Systems and Exact Sciences and other biomedical manufacturers and research companies headquartered in the region supports the innovative ecosystem. Similarly, major multinationals like Merck, Pfizer and Labcorp have established considerable research presences in Madison. 

Other startups in the region include Stratatech Corp., founded by Lynn Allen-Hoffmann. The company uses skin cells called keratinocytes to produce living tissues designed to mimic human skin and promote tissue regeneration, reducing the need for painful autografts. 

Archeus Technologies, backed by decades of research and a visionary team of University of Wisconsin experts, aims to improve cancer treatment with targeted radionuclide therapy. The approach targets cancer cells that have historically evaded the body’s immune system. 

“Having practiced law in the region for over five years, I can attest to the dynamism of Madison, both from a business perspective and also on a human level,” Camilli says. “It’s really an amazing one-of-a-kind place.”