Pam Skinner, PhD, a professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine, co-founded a company, MarPam Pharma, that focuses on developing innovative cellular therapies. Skinner and her fellow co-founder, Maria Athanasiou, PhD, pitched their startup to panels of entrepreneurs in hopes of securing seed funding through the annual MN Cup competition, hosted by the Carlson School of Management. 

MarPam Pharma currently offers therapy aimed at suppressing HIV using a patient’s own cells. The company was selected as one of three finalists in the LifeScience/Health IT division and placed third. Division winners receive $25,000 in funding and are eligible to compete for the grand prize of $50,000. 

MN Cup is a community-led, public-private partnership that brings together corporations, venture capitalists, foundations, government, and skilled volunteers to support Minnesota’s entrepreneurs. MN Cup holds an annual competition that invites entrepreneurs from across the state to pitch their companies and receive seed money, mentorship, and access to a variety of entrepreneurial tools and resources.