FedEx Institute of Technology and Epicenter launch first of six new deep science startups 

Nov. 6, 2020 — Nuvelus Inc., an innovative biotechnology company that seeks to heal and transform damaged skin caused by inflammation, disease and environmental stress is dedicated to building a novel solution to treat the body’s largest organ – the skin. Nuvelus is the first startup to come out of the University of Memphis FedEx Institute of Technology and Epicenter’s joint Patents2Products (P2P) Program and, over the next year, five more companies will be launched as part of this initiative.  

Nuvelus’ patent-pending technology utilizes a topical approach to deliver ingredients required to facilitate healing and rejuvenation of the skin. The technology works directly on the immune system, the main culprit in recruiting the cellular components to the site in need of repair. Nuvelus has discovered an intricate link between the immune system and skin. This allows for the treatment of a wide variety of skin-related ailments through the application of their product. These conditions include psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, acne, sunburn, lupus and arthritis. 

“We believe improved skincare therapy can promote rapid healing of damaged skin, improving quality of life, and reducing the anxiety and stress associated from visible marks on your body and face,” says Dr. Ryan Hughes, Founder and CEO of Nuvelus, Inc. “Our solution supplants the age-old treatment of topical steroids, and replaces it with a product that is safer, more effective and better suited to treat unwanted skin abnormalities. We are a company that believes treating the skin should be more than just skin deep.”  

The University of Memphis and Epicenter partnered to create the P2P Program, designed to hire post-doc fellows to start businesses utilizing patented intellectual property developed both in Memphis and across the United States, to turn great ideas into successful companies. The program creates a two-year funded position for research entrepreneurs and provides them with the necessary tools for launching a successful startup.  

“Enabling deep science entrepreneurship is a critical role for research universities,” stated Dr. Jasbir Dhaliwal, executive vice president of Research and Innovation. “Dr. Hughes’ company shows the promise and potential that UofM technology and research expertise, paired with the Memphis’ innovator ecosystem could bring to the city.” 

“Startup creation is and will continue to be a transformative part of our region’s economic growth, and investment into successful partnerships like Patents2Products with the University of Memphis intentionally accelerates that innovation process,” said Jessica Taveau, interim CEO, Epicenter. “Our entrepreneurial ecosystem will continue to support Dr. Hughes with resources to grow Nuvelus, and we look forward to even more startups launching and thriving here in Memphis through this critical partnership.” 

For more information, please visit Nuvelus.com and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/Nuvelus_Inc.