The companies, Carbon Biosciences and hC Bioscience, are based on foundational research by University of Iowa (UI) professors John Engelhardt, Ziying Yan, Chris Ahern, and colleagues at other institutions.

Founded in part by University of Iowa gene therapy pioneers John F. Engelhardt, Ph.D. and Ziying Yan, Ph.D., along with Robert M. Kotin, Ph.D. and Longwood Fund, Carbon is expanding the gene therapy toolbox for the treatment of the world’s most devastating and difficult to treat diseases.

Cardio Diagnostics, Inc. a UI start-up company and a pioneering precision cardiovascular medicine company, and Mana Capital Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, announced that they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement that will result in Cardio Diagnostics becoming a publicly listed company.