Nexus234

911�� licenses cancer imaging technology to biotech company

ckearney — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:54:52 +0000

911�� licenses cancer imaging technology to biotech company ckearney Fri, 07/31/2026 - 10:54

SonoVanta™, a patent-pending contrast agent that improves the precision of cancer margin imaging, is the second technology from 911�� to be licensed through the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation’s (VIPC) Lab-to-Launch (L2L) Program, which accelerates the commercialization of promising research breakthroughs emerging from Virginia’s universities.

From left, John Hart, president and CEO of NanOptical; Amy Adams, executive director of Nexus234 Innovation District; Remi Veneziano, associate professor, bioengineering, 911��; and Helena Kondow-McConaghy, business development manager, PWCDEDT. Photo provided

SonoVanta™ originated from research conducted at 911�� bioengineering researchers Parag Chitnis and Remi Veneziano. NanOptical Biomedical Inc., a biotechnology company working on next-generation contrast agents for photoacoustic imaging, has licensed the technology. Photoacoustic imaging combines laser light and ultrasound to produce high-resolution views of tissue. The effectiveness of the technology depends in part on contrast agents that enhance the visibility of diseased tissue.

Successful commercialization of contrast agents depends on biocompatibility and scalable manufacturing. NanOptical Biomedical's platform addresses these challenges.

“SonoVanta™ was created to address one of the biggest barriers to the broader adoption of photoacoustic imaging,” said Chitnis. “By using an FDA-approved near-infrared dye, we devised a platform that enables disease-specific targeting and makes manufacturing and implementation easier.”

The company anticipates commercial availability this fall as an advanced tool for cell, tissue, and organ imaging, with applications across numerous areas of biomedical research and development. They hope to expand the technology's use in surgical oncology, with the goal of optimizing visualization of breast tumor margins during cancer procedures.

The L2L initiative, developed through a collaboration between VIPC and the state’s six R1 research university partners, aims to significantly increase the number of start-ups emerging from Virginia’s universities and help move technological breakthroughs to the marketplace, through a “fast track license.” Instead of taking months, a licensing agreement can now take weeks.

911�� bioengineering researchers Parag Chitnis and Remi Veneziano. Photo provided

NanOptical Biomedical's arrival represents an important milestone in bringing university-developed technology into research and clinical imaging.

“NanOptical Biomedical was formed to translate a strong university innovation into a commercially viable platform with meaningful market potential,” said John Hart, president and CEO of NanOptical Biomedical. “Our initial focus is to serve research customers in academia, biotech, and the pharmaceutical sector, while also pursuing the regulatory pathway for future clinical applications in surgical oncology. We believe SonoVanta™ offers a valuable solution to deliver more precise imaging and address a critical need in cancer care.”

"Eight years ago, Dr. Chitnis and I were standing in front of a whiteboard tossing ideas back and forth," said Veneziano. "We’re excited to watch this technology grow from an idea into a new biotechnology company."

NanOptical Biomedical began operations at the Endeavor life science incubator in the Nexus234 Innovation District in Prince William County, Virginia. Hart said the company chose Prince William County as its first operating location to stay close to 911�� and the region's thriving life sciences industry. The company is joining Nexus234, Northern Virginia's first innovation district, which Real FDI named one of the Top 10 Life Sciences Projects globally in March 2026.

“NanOptical Biomedical is exactly the kind of company Nexus234 was created to attract and empower,” said Christina Winn, executive director of the Prince William County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. "This achievement reflects the strength of the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem and the environment Prince William County has built for start-ups, research commercialization, and the life sciences industry."

NanOptical Biomedical's establishment in Nexus234 reinforces the region's commitment to cultivating an ecosystem that helps translate research and entrepreneurship into company success and job creation.

Earlier this year, 911�� was Virginia’s first R1 research institution to commercialize a product under the L2L initiative. In January, the 911�� Research Foundation entered into a license agreement with serial entrepreneur Anthony Fung and his company Valorlox LLC for the patented technology Dynamic Low Visibility Pneumatic Cofferdam, a coastal resilience system designed to protect against flooding.

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Nexus234 Innovation District opens applications for its next soft landing cohort

Katarina Benson — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:29:22 +0000

Nexus234 Innovation District opens applications for its next soft landing cohort Katarina Benson Mon, 07/27/2026 - 12:29

This spring, start-ups from around the world came to the Nexus234 Innovation District for Northern Virginia International Soft Landing Accelerator's (NISA) Global Innovation Showcase. Over two days, the entrepreneurs pitched pioneering technologies; toured research facilities; met one-on-one with 911�� faculty, local talent, investors, and members of industry and state and local government; and explored what it would take to bring their businesses to the United States. The top companies from that showcase are now finalizing plans to move into Nexus234.

Led by Naugen in partnership with Nexus234, NISA equips international start-ups with resources to establish and grow their U.S. presence. Applications are now open for the second cohort.

Atheon Bio CEO Sue So Heui Choe speaking at the Northern Virginia International Soft Landing Accelerator's (NISA) Global Innovation Showcase recently took place at 911��. Photo provided

NISA offers more than mentorship and funding. From the start, participants are connected with the researchers, investors, mentors, and regional partners who can help them take the next step, eliminating months of trying to figure out who to call.

The inaugural application cycle attracted 22 companies spanning South Korea, Israel, Japan, Uganda, and the United States. Ten were selected to participate in the Global Innovation Showcase.

The conversations sparked during the showcase are continuing today. Businesses are already working with 911�� faculty as they pursue new avenues for funding and commercialization.

One of those companies is Atheon Bio, a South Korean biotechnology company that is developing first-in-class antibody therapeutics designed to treat solid tumors and overcome drug resistance by targeting specific blood vessels that cancer cells rely on to survive.

For CEO and Founder Sue So Heui Choe, NISA was about the people as much as the business.

"Visiting Virginia and meeting everyone in Nexus234 was a turning point," said Choe. "I felt like they were not simply trying to persuade another company to relocate to the region. They genuinely wanted to understand Atheon Bio, embrace our vision, and help us become part of the community. Virginia is not only a place for Atheon Bio to do business. It is a place we can call home."

That early momentum has laid the groundwork for the program's next chapter.

“We’re excited to welcome these companies to Nexus234 and the innovation and global perspectives they bring to our region," said Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation and economic impact at 911��. “As Virginia’s largest public research university, 911�� brings together world-class research, entrepreneurial talent, and industry partners to help international start-ups accelerate growth, forge meaningful connections, and thrive in the U.S. market.”

Mason Korea's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship identifies South Korean start-ups that could benefit from NISA, provides early-stage mentorship, and introduces founders to the program early in the process.

"South Korea has a strong pipeline of companies, and Nexus234 provides an environment where they can succeed in the U.S. Through Mason Korea, we're empowering entrepreneurs and serving as a guide for businesses exploring U.S. expansion," said Joshua Park, campus dean of Mason Korea.

The benefits of NISA extend beyond the participating start-ups. As international companies put down roots in Northern Virginia, they also strengthen the local commercial landscape.

"International start-ups bring fresh ideas, but they also bring ambition. When those businesses choose Northern Virginia, they will gain access to [Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s] network of leaders in health care, technology, accounting, law, human resources, insurance, and other sectors, all ready to support their journey," said Kristi Black, president and CEO of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce.

NISA is one example of a broader effort that has been decades in the making. More than 30 years of investment by Prince William County, the City of Manassas, 911��, and public and private organizations have created a flourishing innovation ecosystem. That long-term commitment helped earn Nexus234 recognition by Real FDI as one of the world's Top 10 Life Sciences Projects and continues to attract companies looking to launch their U.S. operations.

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911�� engineering team uses robotics to rethink accessibility

Katarina Benson — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:58:00 +0000

911�� engineering team uses robotics to rethink accessibility Katarina Benson Tue, 06/09/2026 - 09:58

Many accessibility surveys depend on manual measurements, handwritten notes, and extensive walkthroughs with compliance checklists. A team of 911�� engineering students wondered if a robot could do it faster. Nine months later, they created one.

The project, called Salus, combines robotics, LiDAR technology, object detection, GPS mapping, cloud-based analytics, and a custom-built website to help survey public spaces for potential ADA accessibility barriers. Developed as part of a College of Engineering and Computing senior capstone project by mechanical engineering majors Lexi Chivers, Connie Lam, Mariah Tammera, Noemi Umanzor, and Tyler Yared, the system is designed to automate portions of the accessibility surveying process while allowing engineers and designers to better understand how people with disabilities experience physical spaces.

The Salus team with the robotic accessibility surveying system they developed as part of their senior capstone project at 911��. Photo provided

Salus was one of several 911�� capstone projects supported through a GO Virginia-funded initiative led by the Nexus234 Innovation District, which pairs students with industry-informed challenges and mentors.

“We saw a system that was operating poorly, and we wanted to optimize it,” said Chivers, the team lead.

The idea originated when one of Chivers’ teammates attended a conference and discussed the difficulties of collecting large volumes of survey data in the field with industry professionals.

“They basically said, ‘We wish we had something we could send out to collect data and not have to constantly manage,’” said Chivers. “That conversation sparked everything.”

The project consumed most of the team’s weekends as they worked through testing, software integration, fabrication, and constant iteration.

“A lot of people told us we weren’t going to be able to do this in nine months,” said Chivers. “At one point, someone told us it would take two years and eight NASA engineers.”

Instead, the students delivered a working proof of concept before graduation.

As the robot moves through a space, it uses LiDAR sensors, GPS mapping, and onboard cameras to identify and document potential accessibility issues. The data is processed through cloud-based systems and displayed through an interactive website. Rather than sorting through raw data, users can explore flagged locations through an interactive visual map built by the team.

For Chivers, the project also had a personal connection. She said her mother’s job teaching students with disabilities influenced the team’s conversations around accessibility and inclusion. “Just because something legally meets ADA standards doesn’t always mean it’s truly accessible for those with disabilities,” she said.

Kenan Aden, COO of Didlake and the team’s industry mentor, was introduced to the student team through Nexus234. He said the project impressed him both from its technical complexity and for the problem it set out to tackle.

“The entire team approached this project with an incredible level of determination and systems thinking,” said Aden. “What makes it especially meaningful is that they never lost sight of the people this technology is intended to help.”

"This team’s focus and dedication have been extremely impressive," said Leigh McCue, professor and chair of 911��’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. "Any time I popped my head into the senior design space, or walked visitors through for a tour, the team was hard at work and eager to showcase their technology."

One of the most rewarding parts of the experience for Chivers was discovering the kind of engineer she wants to become.

“I thought I wanted to stay in the background,” said Chivers. “But this project made me realize I really love being a leader, solving problems, and doing things that actually matter to people.”

Currently, the students are working with 911��’s Office of Technology Transfer to explore patent protection for the project’s intellectual property. Although the team is still deciding what comes next, Chivers said the technology has potential beyond the capstone project itself, including with construction firms, municipalities, designers, and accessibility planners.

In her advice to other entrepreneurs, Chivers said, “Your dreams are never too big. You just haven’t found all the tools you need to make them happen yet.”

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911�� engineering students turn personal experience into accessibility innovation

ckearney — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:58:30 +0000

911�� engineering students turn personal experience into accessibility innovation ckearney Tue, 06/02/2026 - 16:58

For Owais Yousuf, inspiration began at home. His father, who contracted polio as a child, relied on crutches to move through daily life. Growing up, Yousuf watched him navigate airports and crowded spaces with difficulty. Three of his fellow 911�� mechanical engineering students had similar experiences with relatives who struggled with mobility. The four of them began wondering: How do you make airport travel more independent and less stressful for people with mobility challenges?

From left, Calvin Nguyen, Javier Carpio Jota, Turner Applegate, and Owais Yousuf, creators of the B-Drive, with their prototype. Photo provided

The answer to that question became B-Drive, a senior capstone project developed by Yousuf, Turner Applegate, Javier Carpio Jota, and Calvin Nguyen that combines autonomous navigation, computer vision, and adaptive mobility technology to help wheelchair users move through transportation hubs on their own terms.

B-Drive was one of several 911�� capstone projects supported through a GO Virginia-funded initiative, led by the Nexus234 Innovation District, which pairs students with industry mentors and opportunities to address pressing needs.

"The people we love aren't just statistics," said Yousuf, the team's lead. "They're people we care about. We've seen the frustrations they face firsthand. That experience gave us the context to build something that could provide them some relief."

As the team dug deeper, they found that navigating a large airport can present obstacles at nearly every step. Long walks, unfamiliar layouts, limited assistance, and confusing signs can make traveling on their own difficult for many passengers.

To better understand those barriers, the team participated in the National Science Foundation's I-Corps program, which helps entrepreneurs move a business idea or discovery toward licensing or commercialization. Program participants assess the commercial viability of their idea by conducting customer interviews and working closely with a mentor. Yousuf and his team spoke with travelers, transportation professionals, accessibility advocates, and industry experts.

"We consistently heard that people wanted the freedom to move through an airport with greater dignity and confidence," said Yousuf.

Those conversations led to B-Drive. The team decided early on that B-Drive needed to fit into existing airport operations, so they designed it to work with wheelchairs already found in many airports.

Bringing B-Drive to life required more than technical expertise. After delays in obtaining testing equipment, the team drove to New Jersey to buy a wheelchair themselves rather than wait.

Members of the B-Drive team demonstrate their prototype. Photo provided

Their persistence impressed Robert "Bob" Schneider, executive director of OmniRide and the team's industry mentor, who was introduced to the students through Nexus234.

"They didn't let anything stop them. They went out and got it done," said Schneider.

Schneider guided the students as they narrowed the project's scope and found a realistic way to put their ideas into action. He suggested the team pick one clear, manageable use case. They decided to focus on a journey that’s familiar to many travelers at Washington Dulles International Airport: getting from the Silver Line Metro station to their destination inside the airport.

As the project progressed, the students began thinking beyond the classroom. The team is currently exploring intellectual property protection and potential avenues for commercialization through 911��'s Office of Technology Transfer.

Leigh McCue, professor and chair of 911��’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, believes that moving from classroom projects to real-world applications is among the most valuable lessons for students.

"One of the hardest parts of engineering is defining the right problem to solve," said McCue. "This team resisted the temptation to build technology for its own sake and grounded their approach in the experiences of the people they aimed to empower.”

The project also prompted Yousuf to rethink what it means to be an engineer. "Engineering is ultimately about people," said Yousuf. "Technology is only valuable if it improves someone's life. That's what motivated us from the beginning, and it's what continues to motivate us now."

Graduation marked the end of the capstone project, but the team hopes B-Drive's story is only beginning. The goal remains the same for Yousuf as when the project first started on a whiteboard.

"We're not going to stop until we bring a smile to people's faces," said Yousuf. "That's what this has always been about."

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Global startups touch down in the Nexus234 Innovation District

Katarina Benson — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:08:10 +0000

Global startups touch down in the Nexus234 Innovation District Katarina Benson Fri, 05/29/2026 - 11:08

This May, startups from across the globe came to Manassas, Virginia. Along with their suitcases, they brought polished presentations, new technologies, and big plans.

Inbar Oz, CEO and cofounder of TrackiMed, pitches to investors during the Nexus234 Global Innovation Showcase at 911��’s SciTech Campus. Photo provided

They spent two days in the Nexus234 Innovation District for the Global Innovation Showcase. Ten startups were selected from a competitive pool of 22 applicants representing the United States, Israel, Japan, and South Korea.

Offered through the Northern Virginia International Soft Landing Accelerator (NISA), the program combined networking, facility tours, and investor conversations. It also included a pitch competition. All these elements were designed to connect companies with the region’s growing innovation ecosystem.

“There’s only so much you can learn from a brochure or a website,” said Jaehan Park, founder and CEO of Naugen, one of the leading organizations of NISA. “Actually spending time here gives startups a much clearer picture of the opportunities and resources available in Nexus234."

Throughout the showcase, startups visited places such as 911��’s Science and Technology Campus, ATCC, and commercial wet lab facilities, including Endeavor, led by Prince William County’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism, and the Northern Virginia Bioscience Center located in Innovation Park. They also talked with George Mason faculty about potential research collaborations and spoke with students about startup culture and what career development looks like in emerging industries.

“Northern Virginia is a rare blend that’s often very difficult for startups to find in one place: research institutions, industry collaborations, skilled talent, and proximity to major markets,” said Sarah Brooks, director of business and financial services at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. “This area is especially supportive for companies wanting to expand in the U.S."

For many attendees, the pitch competition was the highlight of the showcase. Startups stepped in front of judges to present technologies ranging from wearable medical devices and regenerative medicine to AI platforms. The judges brought experience from venture capital, startup acceleration, health care innovation, business development, and entrepreneurship support organizations across the region and beyond. Lucina Biotherapeutics won first place, while TrackiMed came in second, and MedicosBiotech took third.

Executives from international companies competing to soft land in Nexus234, investors from across the United States, and representatives from 911��, Prince William County, the City of Manassas gathered during the Global Innovation Showcase in Manassas, Virginia. Photo provided

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Nexus234 Innovation District debuts in Manassas and 911�� is in the heart of it

ckearney — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:05:16 +0000

Nexus234 Innovation District debuts in Manassas and 911�� is in the heart of it ckearney Fri, 04/24/2026 - 11:05

Today during a naming event in Manassas, Virginia, 911��, Prince William County, and the City of Manassas officially unveiled Nexus234 Innovation District, marking a milestone that has been decades in the making.

The nearly 6,000-acre destination, named for the Route 234 corridor that runs through its heart, is Northern Virginia’s first Innovation District and positions the region as a national destination for research-driven industry. Centered around Innovation Park alongside 911��’s Science and Technology Campus, Nexus234 connects researchers, entrepreneurs, and technology companies ranging from startups to global firms across sectors including life sciences, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, data centers, and AI infrastructure.

Designed to accelerate the path from discovery to deployment, Nexus234 provides an environment where research, workforce training, and industry collaboration intersect to support economic growth and commercialization.

From left, Sumeet Shrivastava, vice rector of the 911�� Board of Visitors; Amy Adams, executive director of the SciTech Innovation District, and 911�� President Gregory Washington at the launch of Nexus234 Innovation District on Friday, April 24. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

"None of this happened all of a sudden. It was years in the making,” said 911�� President Gregory Washington. "You have the right community, you have the right components, you have the right leadership. You mix all that together and throw in Virginia’s largest R1 institution. You want an education system that produces a pipeline of high paying jobs, that partners with the business community and provides accountability to the public. That’s what we’ve been putting in place at 911��."

The naming event coincided with the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) conference, bringing visitors from across the country to tour Nexus234 and engage with researchers, students, and anchor companies including Micron, General Dynamics’ Progeny Systems, and American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). Attendees got a firsthand look at workforce training programs, an international soft-landing initiative, the NOVA LIVE dynamic campus, and the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Leaders emphasized Nexus234’s competitive advantage for development that includes tech-flex industrial space, incubator and accelerator programs, and sites for commercial and mixed-use expansion.

“Prince William County is building a destination for discovery,” said Chair-at-Large Deshundra Jefferson, Prince William Board of County Supervisors. “Nexus234 reflects our long-term strategy to attract high-value industries, support groundbreaking research, and ensure companies have the space, talent, and infrastructure they need to grow.”

Nexus234 builds on 30 years of public–private collaboration, formalized through a $2.6M GO Virginia grant to create Northern Virginia’s first innovation district in June 2025 and matched by $1.3M in local investments from founding partners: ATCC, Didlake, ECU Communications, Dominion Energy, Employment Enterprises Inc., I-66 Express Mobility Partners, Garcia Family Foundation, Micron Technology Inc., Northern Virginia Community College, Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, and Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC).

“Nexus234 serves as a front door for companies like ours,” said CEO Ross Dunlap, Ceres Nanosciences. "As the first Endeavor incubator graduate, we have continued to grow within the innovation district and now operate more than 12,000 square feet of wet‑lab and manufacturing space, supporting the global distribution of our products. We’ve benefited from collaboration with local scientists, access to shared university facilities and equipment, hiring local talent, and regular opportunities to engage.”

Nexus234 includes approximately 330 acres available for laboratory, R&D, manufacturing, and office development, with a portion of land publicly controlled to support coordinated public-private growth.

President Gregory Washington (third from left) at Nexus234 Innovation District naming event. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“Beyond economic metrics, Nexus234 represents a community investment—creating high-quality jobs, generating a new tax base, and reinforcing Manassas as a place where historic charm and forward-looking innovation come together,” said Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, City of Manassas. “As new companies are generated, and local and existing firms expand, the district is poised to become a nationally recognized destination for research and advanced industry.”

Conveniently located with access to Interstate 66, major rail corridors, and Manassas Regional Airport, and proximity to Washington Dulles International Airport, Nexus234 offers the connectivity to support both business growth and regional accessibility. With its proximity to federal agencies and one of the nation's largest data center ecosystems, Nexus234 positions the region to attract and support companies operating at the forefront of technology and applied research.

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