Following the successful editions of the two previous years, the Innovation Shark Tank returned for the third time during the IMCAS World Congress 2020. This exceptional event featured 14 promising start-ups showcasing their groundbreaking solutions in dermatology, plastic surgery and aesthetic science to a high-profile jury consisted of prominent physicians, researchers, inventors, investors and industry representatives.

At the end of the pitches, the Jury and audience voted for their winning choice. The 1st place company was awarded with the prestigious ‘Innovation of the Year’ Award and the two runners-up each took home a ‘Promising Innovation’ Award. The IMCAS Team reached out to the TOP 3 start-ups to get a feel about what it's like for companies to take the stage.

Curious to know about the game-changing innovations in 2021? Then join us on June 30 for the IMCAS Innovation Tank webinar! It's your chance to meet the up-and-coming pioneers of the field for free.

Irina Erenburg, CEO of Blossom
1st Place

Blossom Innovations is bringing to market a first-in-class safety innovation - “smart” sensing needle - S3Inject, which alerts the user when the needle has entered a blood vessel. This major advance in patient safety will offer additional confidence to injectors and a competitive advantage for filler manufacturers.

Karen Cronholm, CEO of Cytrellis
Runner-up

Introducing Cytrellis
Cytrellis is developing a new, proprietary category of micro-coring devices designed to remove sagging skin associated with aging, without surgery or scarring. The devices have the potential to provide aesthetic practitioners with an unprecedented ability to improve age related changes in skin and restore youthful beauty. Cytrellis is dedicated to working with leading physicians to develop unique product solutions which emphasize safety, clinical results and improved quality of life.

Your Road to IMCAS?
One of the physicians Cytrellis works with told us about the Innovation Shark Tank competition during the Global Market Summit and recommended that we apply. I was excited to hear about the competition and the format is an excellent way to highlight all the new ideas in aesthetics.

The Next Step for Cytrellis?
In terms of development, the next step for Cytrellis is submitting to the FDA for 510K clearance.

A Challenge or Joy?
During the competition, I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue with the reputable and very knowledgeable jury panel. They asked thought-provoking questions and engaged in stimulating discussions with myself and my fellow competitors.

Evelina Vagesjo, CEO of Ilya Pharma
Runner-up

Introducing Ilya Pharma
Ilya Pharma is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that develops its own drug candidates for clinical PoC from its technology platform - a new and a very cost-effective technology for local delivery of therapeutic substances. In this platform, human therapeutic proteins are produced and delivered on-site by living lactic acid bacteria acting like small bioreactors, for example in skin wounds or in the colon of the intestine.

Your Road to IMCAS?
We saw a posting on Linkedin, Humberto Antunes had shared it and we liked the scope and since it was a good fit with our developments in Ilya Pharma, we applied. 

The Next Step for Ilya Pharma?
The next step for Ilya Pharma is to complete the second part of our ongoing phase I clinical trial, evaluating ILP100 as a topical treatment for treatment of wounds and scars. It is a data heavy study and we just received the interim report from the first part of the study. The team is mostly focused on preparing for phase II clinical studies of ILP100 in treatment of post surgical wounds in populations with high risk of complications, the first being people with diabetes.  

A Challenge or Joy?
We are used to presenting our developments and plans. I enjoy presenting at IMCAS since it is a very relevant audience and great mix of professionals, companies and investors.