TARCOG helps fund Madison biotech’s startup

MADISON – Valor Scientific Inc., a new biotech startup in Madison, has opened with help from Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments or TARCOG with its revolving loan fund with Neighborhood Concepts Inc. or NCI.

Valor Scientific’s vision is to impact human research and healthcare by serving the real-world needs of research labs and benefiting healthcare for the next 100 years. Neighborhood Concepts and TARCOG are helping the launch.

The Valor team approached NCI for financing by the TARCOG Revolving Loan Fund to allow opening its new lab on Madison Boulevard. The proposal was a winner.

The small startup is a joint effort of co-founders Bethany Blake, Dr. Matthew Knuesel and Dr. Andrew Kodani.

Blake, Chief Operations Officer, is a veteran of biotech startup and social enterprise who specializes in data-driven project management and operational development.

Chief Scientific Officer Knuesel is an innovator for development of bioactive growth factor. With 25 years of expertise, Knuesel works in protein engineering and stem cell biology.

As Chief Executive Officer, Kodani has dedicated his career to helping patients with rare diseases, leading teams to develop research strategy and novel treatments.

The Valor team is set to innovate systems for scientific breakthroughs and facilitate translational applications with sustainable, socially responsible biotechnology that everyone can access.

Valor’s first product to hit the market, FGF2 146, is fueling the next stage of cellular research with a science-proven and an innovative approach to change the way growth factors are manufactured and used. In scientific terms, the company specializes in manufacturing high-quality human growth factors for research, along with medical and commercial applications. Valor Scientific focuses on producing a large family of signaling proteins crucial for cell growth, differentiation, tissue repair and more.

“In simpler terms, our bodies go through continuous stages of damage and repair. Growth Factor proteins signal the cell with detailed instructions to grow, divide and restore where needed,” Blake said. “By tailoring combinations of growth factors, scientists can stimulate and direct stem cells to grow into a specific cell type.”

These substances are used as the fuel in every cell type and stage of growth, including bone, skin and organ repair.

Valor offers a new standard for bioactive proteins — reliable enough for stem cell research, potent enough for wound healing and refined enough for cosmetic skincare use. The proteins benefit bone density loss, fracture repair, post-surgical skin repair, eardrum repair and even anti-aging skincare.

As Valor Scientific grows, its leaders are committed to working with nonprofit family foundations to provide affordable and accessible research solutions.

The leaders are dedicated to creating a company that not only pushes scientific breakthroughs and honors its stakeholders but also leaves a lasting legacy of compassion.

Valor’s first collaboration is with Coffin-Lowry Syndrome Foundation, a Huntsville-based nonprofit. Valor Scientific takes pride in supporting scientific discovery and advocacy that directly impacts Huntsville residents and the state.

For more information, visit valorsci. com.