In the heart of Michigan's burgeoning tech scene, a quiet revolution is taking place, led by a woman whose journey defies conventional expectations. Crystal Brown, a former automotive executive, has traded the assembly line for the intricate world of biotechnology, founding CircNova, a startup poised to redefine drug discovery with its AI-powered approach to circular RNA. This groundbreaking venture has secured a $3.3 million seed funding round, a testament to Brown's vision and the transformative potential of CircNova's technology.
A Serendipitous Leap into Biotech
Crystal Brown's path to biotech leadership was anything but linear. For years, she honed her skills in the demanding automotive manufacturing industry, climbing the corporate ladder with aspirations of reaching the C-suite. However, a chance encounter with a life science startup CEO sparked a profound curiosity. Initially offering her expertise on a part-time basis, Brown quickly found herself immersed in the startup's operations, applying her manufacturing acumen to streamline business processes and contracts.
Her insatiable thirst for knowledge led her to delve deep into the scientific intricacies of the company. As her understanding grew, so did her passion for biotech. Encouraged by her peers, Brown made a bold decision: she left her secure, six-figure automotive career to pursue her newfound calling, accepting a significant pay cut to learn the ropes of the biotech industry from the ground up.
"It was a leap of faith," Brown recalls. "I had to prove to myself and others that I could not only understand the science but also drive innovation and build a successful company."
Her dedication paid off. She rapidly ascended to the role of director of operations, contributing to the company's growth and eventual public offering. This experience provided her with invaluable insights into the intricacies of startup dynamics, fundraising, and the biotech landscape.
The Crucible of Entrepreneurship: Lessons Learned
Emboldened by her success, Brown ventured into entrepreneurship, launching her own biotech contract research lab. However, the initial euphoria was soon tempered by the harsh realities of startup life. She candidly admits to making common first-time founder mistakes, including rapid hiring and premature lab expansion. Within two years, her startup faced financial challenges, forcing her to make the difficult decision to shut it down.
"It was a devastating experience," Brown reflects. "I lost my house, and I questioned everything. But I also learned invaluable lessons about managing resources, building a team, and navigating the unpredictable nature of startups."
Despite the setback, Brown's reputation as a resilient and capable leader remained intact. Her honesty and perseverance resonated with the Michigan startup community, and several venture capitalists expressed their willingness to support her future endeavors.
CircNova: Pioneering Circular RNA Drug Discovery
It was during this period of reflection and rebuilding that Brown connected with Joe Deangelo, a seasoned biotech veteran and the future co-founder and chief scientific officer of CircNova. Deangelo shared his vision for leveraging artificial intelligence to unlock the therapeutic potential of circular RNA, a relatively new frontier in molecular biology.
Circular RNA, unlike its linear counterpart, forms a closed loop, offering unique stability and regulatory functions within cells. Deangelo's research suggested that these molecules could be targeted to develop novel therapies for a wide range of diseases.
"Joe began sending me research articles every morning," Brown recounts. "I was intrigued by the possibilities, and I saw an opportunity to apply my business acumen to bring this cutting-edge science to the market."
Together with William Grenawitzke, who serves as chief business officer, Brown and Deangelo founded CircNova in May 2023. The startup's core technology, the NovaEngine, is an AI-powered platform that predicts, designs, and produces novel circular RNAs for therapeutic applications.
The Power of NovaEngine: AI Meets Wet Lab
CircNova's NovaEngine, inspired by the deep learning principles of Google's DeepMind AlphaFold, utilizes sophisticated algorithms to analyze and generate circular RNA structures. Unlike large language models, the NovaEngine focuses on structural prediction and sequence generation, enabling researchers to reverse engineer and optimize circular RNA molecules.
What sets CircNova apart is its integration of AI with a wet lab, allowing for the physical synthesis and validation of the AI-generated molecules. This unique capability enables rapid prototyping and testing, accelerating the drug discovery process.
"We can go from sequence to structure and back again," Brown explains. "This allows us to design and produce circular RNAs with specific properties, targeting diseases that have been previously untreatable."
The startup's research collaborations with the University of Michigan further enhance its capabilities, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and expertise.
Targeting Untapped Therapeutic Potential
CircNova's mission is to develop therapies for diseases that currently lack effective treatments. The startup's initial focus areas include ovarian cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and rare genetic disorders.
"We are targeting diseases where there is a significant unmet medical need," Brown emphasizes. "Our technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach these complex conditions."
The $3.3 million seed funding round, led by diversity-focused VC South Loop Ventures, will enable CircNova to accelerate its research and development efforts. The round also includes investments from Dug Song, Union Heritage, Michigan Rise, Invest Detroit, Kalamazoo Forward Ventures, and SPARK Capital.
Building a Diverse and Resilient Team
Brown's leadership philosophy emphasizes diversity and resilience. She believes that building a team with diverse perspectives and experiences is essential for innovation and success.
"We are committed to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration," she says. "We want to attract the best talent from all backgrounds and empower them to contribute their unique skills and perspectives."
Nia Batts, a general partner at Union Heritage Ventures, highlights Brown's resilience and leadership qualities as key factors in her decision to invest in CircNova.
"We are no stranger to the resilience that is needed when you engage in the journey of entrepreneurship," Batts said. "The moment I met Crystal and heard about her vision for CircNova, I knew I wanted to be a part of it."
The Future of Circular RNA Therapeutics
CircNova's groundbreaking approach to circular RNA drug discovery has the potential to transform the landscape of healthcare. By leveraging the power of AI and integrating it with wet lab capabilities, the startup is poised to accelerate the development of novel therapies for a wide range of diseases.
"We are just scratching the surface of what's possible with circular RNA," Brown says. "We believe that our technology will play a significant role in the future of medicine."
As CircNova continues to advance its research and development efforts, it remains committed to its mission of bringing innovative therapies to patients in need. Crystal Brown's journey from automotive executive to biotech pioneer is a testament to the power of resilience, vision, and the unwavering pursuit of innovation.
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