Auricyte LLC, launched by three Indiana University scientists to cure hearing loss by turning human stem cells into hearing cells, won the Best Pre-Venture category Wednesday (Oct. 14) at the BioCrossroads New Venture Competition.

The victory marks the third time in four years that a product of IU’s Spin Up program, created by the Indiana University Research and Technology Corp. to help researchers with commercially promising technologies start their own companies, has won the pre-venture category. Sophia Therapeutics won the $10,000 prize in 2012 for its proposal to treat neuropathic pain. In 2013, Emphymab was honored for its work toward treating emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Another Spin Up company, Arrhythmotech LLC, took second place and $15,000 in the overall competition. Last year’s overall winner, Anagin LLC, also is a Spin Up company.

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