Two young Alabama companies won the Alabama Launchpad competition this week, and took home major investments to boost their organization’s growth.

Alabama Launchpad is an initiative from the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA).

Acclinate Genetics, an early-stage start-up, won $50,000 and CerFlux, a slightly more mature company, won $100,000.

Acclinate Genetics, based in Huntsville, was founded by Dr. Del Smith. He told the EDPA that his company aims “to address the lack of minority participation in clinical trials, which results in problems in drug efficacy for minority populations.”

CerFlux is based in Birmingham, and it is the company’s second time winning the Alabama Launchpad contest. In 2019 the firm won the category that Acclinate Genetics won in 2020.

According to the EDPA CerFlux is “working on personalized medicine solutions to identify the most efficacious cancer therapeutics for patients.”

“It’s wonderful to see two life sciences companies win Alabama Launchpad,” said EDPA President Steve Spencer. “It’s a strong indicator of the strength of this growing industry in the state, and all of the finalists competing exemplify Alabama’s diverse vertical sectors.”

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.