Exagen Diagnostics Inc. is using a cutting-edge computational platform developed for the auto parts industry to identify biomarkers and proprietary technologies to converting these markers to familiar fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) formats. The two-year-old company is developing these into clinical molecular diagnostics.

David Melvin, MD, a cardiovascular surgeon turned biomedical engineer has created a large patent portfolio of cardiac devices and components covering novel solutions to sticky problems. CardioEnergetics was founded to commercialize his current and future inventions. The company's lead product is a ventricular assist device that lies outside the blood path to avoid clotting and stroke.

Genyx Medical Inc.'s initial product, Uryx, is a permanent urethral bulking agent for, for example, coughing or laughing.

Corporate venture investment programs like Guidant's Compass walk a thin line between traditional business development and traditional venture capital investing. Compass' goal is to help Guidant find new technology early that could eventually help one of Guidant's core business groups but still earn a return on investment in the event the technology ultimately proves of no value to the corporation.