Founders of Canine Cancer Detection Co. and Mosquito Bite Resistant Clothing Co. Receive "Entrepreneur of the Year" Awards

NC State University’s John S. Risley Entrepreneur of the Year Award was presented to two of Smith Anderson clients, Matthew Breen, President and founder of Sentinel Biomedical; and Marian McCord, Vice President and founder of Vector Textiles, Inc., on October 13, 2017. The award recognizes members of the NC State community who demonstrate the best traits of entrepreneurship and whose impact can be measured in involvement with new startup companies, the number of jobs created, revenue generated and production of products or services that benefit consumers and/or improve the quality of life.

Dr. Breen is a professor of genomics and the Oscar J. Fletcher Distinguished Professor of Comparative Oncology Genetics at NC State, and currently has seven inventions at various stages of commercialization. Sentinel Biomedical is a comparative scientific health company with a primary focus on investigating canine cancers and identifying biological changes and environmental influences that may be shared with human cancers. The company has licensed several genetic tests that Dr. Breen has developed at NC State to identify genetic mutations that could lead to early cancer detection in dogs.

Dr. McCord is Associate Dean for Research in the College of Natural Resources at NC State and is a pioneer in the field of atmospheric plasma treatment of fibers and polymers. The mosquito-resistant fabric technology developed by Dr. McCord and her colleagues is being used in the product Rynoskin Total. Vector Textiles, Inc. is currently developing a line of new chemical-free, bite-proof clothing to prevent the transmission of Zika and other mosquito borne diseases.

Smith Anderson’s Start-Ups practice assisted with forming both Sentinel Biomedical and Vector Textiles and continues to provide legal advice.

NC State News published the article “Top Innovator, Entrepreneurs Honored,” recognizing Dr. Breen and Dr. McCord for their entrepreneurial impact.