About Optima Neuroscience

Optima Neuroscience was founded in 2005 by J. Chris Sackellares, MD, a field-leading neurologist with special expertise in epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology, and Synogen, a seed-stage biomedical investment firm managed by Richard R. Allen, co-founder of Regeneration Technologies (Nasdaq:RTIX). The company licensed intellectual property from the University of Florida to pursue its goals of commercializing neurological monitoring, diagnostic, and therapeutic technologies.

In March 2007, Optima was awarded an NIH R01 research grant to further develop neurological monitoring technology. Partnering with researchers at the Allegheny-Singer Research Institute in Pittsburgh, Optima leads this initiative to create robust algorithms to automatically analyze electroencephalographic (EEG) signals and deliver useful clinical information to care providers. Among the most critical outcomes will be the ability to detect and predict seizure activity in patients suffering from seizure disorders.

Optima is currently developing a software package to improve the diagnosis and management of patients with seizure disorders. The software will hasten the process of reviewing EEGs, by allowing the physician to quickly focus on areas of interest. Due to the high incidence of epilepsy (nearly 1% of the population) and the relatively low availability of sub-specialists trained in the art of EEG, automated analysis tools are in high demand. Upon completion of our software product, Optima plans to launch hardware neurological monitoring products for use in intensive care units and emergency rooms.