Geisinger researcher's company receives $150,000 investment

DANVILLE- A biotechnology company founded by Geisinger staff scientist Glenn S. Gerhard, MD recently received a $150,000 investment from Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The company, HepGen, Inc., was formed to further develop a series of blood-based biomarkers into a blood test that would indicate the presence of obesity-related fatty liver disease, which can lead to liver scarring and cirrhosis.

The Ben Franklin investment will fund a clinical study at Geisinger to validate these biomarkers as accurate disease indicators.

Currently, the only way to diagnose the disease is through a liver biopsy. However, biopsies can pose health risks to patients, such as internal bleeding. 

Geisinger Ventures, the system’s corporate venturing arm, has worked with Gerhard on the project since 2005. Geisinger Ventures helps the company license technology and attract investment capital to support Geisinger’s mission.

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