Dr. Eric Weimer was a first-mover in recognizing that the convergence of our improved understanding of the immunobiology of HLA antibodies, HLA expression, and advances in computing technology could open the door to new ways of exploring the fundamental mechanics of the immune system.
Beginning in 2016, Dr. Weimer partnered with Dr. Katherine (Katie) Newhall, Associate Professor of Mathematics at UNC, to begin building evidence that combining machine learning and knowledge of HLA antibodies would establish a better way of matching organ donors and recipients. With access to UNC Health System’s transplant data and using research collaborations that reflect Dr. Weimer’s thought leadership within the histocompatibility and immunology community, Eric and Katie pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in data-driven virtual crossmatch. Their collaborations within the HLA lab community also revealed a deep customer need to streamline and automate the process for HLA donor-recipient matching at the crucial moment when a donor organ is first available to hospitals.
With their research now delivering a clear and consistent assessment of crossmatch risk and a customer need clearly identified, fortuitous timing allowed for Dr. Weimer and Dr. Newhall’s concepts to be paired with an emerging Venture Studio concept that combined the expertise of the UNC Health, the Eshelman Institute for Innovation, and High Alpha Innovation. Out of a list of more than 75 potential new business ideas, their concept - now called Epulate - was launched as the first portfolio company.
With decades of biopharma and healthcare business experience, Than Powell saw the potential of Epulate and signed on to co-found and lead the company as Chief Executive Officer, and soon thereafter, John Mercer was identified to co-found the company as the Chief Technology Officer to translate the research and proof-of-concepts into a scalable industry-grade platform. Than, John, Eric and Katie all share a deep level of commitment to delivering the promise of Epulate’s scientific and technology advancements to the HLA community and the patients they serve.
To improve patient outcomes, we know that extraordinary industry/academic and scientist/technologist collaborations are paramount to empowering transplant teams.
Epulate is not “another AI company”. We don’t build technology and models for their own sake, but rather are obsessed with improving patient outcomes and the transplant team experience.
We still have so much to learn about the human immune system and the science of organ crossmatch. We’re devoted to accelerating research through our partnerships and commitment to customers.
Founding Advisor
Dr. Eric Weimer received his Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology from Wake Forest University in 2009 with a focus on vaccine development. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at UNC at Chapel Hill School of Medicine as well as the Director of Molecular Immunology at UNC Hospitals. Dr. Weimer is Board certified in Medical Laboratory Immunology (ABMLI) as well as Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ABHI). He also serves as the Associate Director of HLA, Immunology, and Flow Cytometry laboratories for UNC Hospitals. His primary research focuses on molecular diagnostic approaches for HLA genotyping, understanding solid organ transplant rejection, and diagnosis of primary immune deficiencies.
Founding Advisor
Dr. Katherine Newhall is an associate professor of mathematics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill working on a diverse set of interdisciplinary applied math problems ranging from magnetic systems to granular media and active matter. She is tackling difficult problems in the field of stochastic dynamics to understand the large-scale and long-time behavior of physical and biological systems described by high-dimensional equations that evolve randomly in time. The mathematical problems she works on also help to explain experimentally observable phenomena, exposing the underlying mechanisms to intuitively explain the system’s behavior.
Co-Founder & CEO
As CEO and Cofounder of Epulate, Than brings a passion for science & emerging technology and the fundamental belief that applying both will help solve the intractable problems in healthcare. An experienced executive who has led pipeline development, launch teams, and business units in the pharmaceutical industry at Eli Lilly & GSK, Than’s work with advising and investing in health technology and biotech start-ups over the past two years led him to the Epulate. Than is a graduate of DePauw University and the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. He currently resides in Chapel Hill, NC with his wife Meg and children Cate & William.
Founding Advisor
Matthew Brady is a Managing Director at High Alpha Innovation, leading the studio’s healthcare practice. Prior to this role, Brady was Partner at Innosight, where he combined practical experience leading large consulting engagements with his deep expertise in strategy and business model innovation.
Founding Advisor
Epulate better connects donor organs and their recipients through machine learning, ushering in a new era of transplant immunology.
Founding Advisor
Epulate better connects donor organs and their recipients through machine learning, ushering in a new era of transplant immunology.
CEO & Co-founder
CTO & Co-founder
As CEO and Co-founder of Epulate, Than brings a passion for science & emerging technology and the fundamental belief that applying both will help solve the intractable problems in healthcare. An experienced executive who has led pipeline development, launch teams, and business units in the pharmaceutical industry at Eli Lilly & GSK, Than’s recent work advising and investing in health technology and biotech start-ups over the past two years led him to found Epulate. Than is a graduate of DePauw University and the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. He currently resides in Chapel Hill, NC with his wife Meg and children Cate & William.
John has spent over 20 years at the intersection of software engineering, data science, machine learning and product leadership across many industries. He is a successful software entrepreneur, 5x Head of Data Science driving transformational change at scaling start-ups, a former senior computational and technology lead at premier research institutes at MIT & Harvard, 3x hackathon winner, patented inventor, multiple award winning ML platform builder, 10x invited speaker, has published in top scientific journals, and a trusted advisor and consultant to executives in many industries. John graduated magna cum laude in Economics (B.A.), Statistics (M.S.) and Physics (M.S.)
Board Member
Dr. Matthew Ewend is the Chief Clinical Officer of UNC Health & President of UNC Physicians. In this role, he has responsibility for the overall physician enterprise of the UNC Health System, a statewide network of 18 hospital campuses and more than 7,000
employed and affiliated physicians and advanced practice providers across 700 practices. In addition, he oversees the quality program, the value program, and the partnership of UNC Physicians with our hospitals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he
has been a key leader on our COVID Leadership Team, which is responsible for UNC Health’s response to COVID-19.
In addition, Dr. Ewend is a practicing Neurosurgeon at the UNC School of Medicine, specializing in neuro-oncology. He served as Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery from 2010 until 2019, stepping down to assume the CCO role of UNC Health. He joined the faculty in 1997 after completing medical school, neurosurgery residency, and a brain tumor fellowship at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Ewend’s clinical interests center on endoscopic and minimally invasive treatment of brain tumors, especially pituitary tumors, skull base tumors, and metastases.
Board Member
Dr. Cameron is an Associate Professor of Medicine, Medicine, Nephrology at Duke Health. His practice focuses on taking care of patients living with chronic kidney disease, kidney failure and high blood pressure. As a researcher at Duke, he leads a chronic kidney disease “early warning” program designed to connect kidney patients to the right care at the right time. When not at work, he enjoys spending time with my family, reading and woodworking.
Board Member
Matthew Brady is a Managing Director at High Alpha Innovation, leading the studio’s healthcare practice. Prior to this role, Brady was Partner at Innosight, where he combined practical experience leading large consulting engagements with his deep expertise in strategy and business model innovation. Brady worked at Innosight for over eight years; he supported the healthcare practice by helping leaders in large provider and payor organizations develop and execute growth strategies. In addition, he has significant experience consulting in a range of industries from healthcare and medical devices to consumer-packaged goods.
Founding Scientific Advisor
Dr. Eric Weimer received his Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology from Wake Forest University in 2009 with a focus on vaccine development. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at UNC at Chapel Hill School of Medicine as well as the Director of Molecular Immunology at UNC Hospitals. Dr. Weimer is Board certified in Medical Laboratory Immunology (ABMLI) as well as Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ABHI). He also serves as the Associate Director of HLA, Immunology, and Flow Cytometry laboratories for UNC Hospitals. His primary research focuses on molecular diagnostic approaches for HLA genotyping, understanding solid organ transplant rejection, and diagnosis of primary immune deficiencies.
Founding Technical Advisor
Dr. Katherine Newhall is an associate professor of mathematics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill working on a diverse set of interdisciplinary applied math problems ranging from magnetic systems to granular media and active matter. She is tackling difficult problems in the field of stochastic dynamics to understand the large-scale and long-time behavior of physical and biological systems described by high-dimensional equations that evolve randomly in time. The mathematical problems she works on also help to explain experimentally observable phenomena, exposing the underlying mechanisms to intuitively explain the system’s behavior.
