NEWS

ASFA Middle School Team Wins Samsung Innovation Award for Research with CerFlux

Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) middle school team, working in collaboration with CerFlux to advance human-relevant cancer research, won a national Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Promising STEM Innovation Award. Selected from thousands of submissions across all 50 U.S. states, the team was recognized for their innovative STEM project focused on improving how treatments are matched to tumors. The project integrated biochemistry, digital pathology, and AI to study how tumor structure influences treatment response, addressing a major driver of cancer treatment failure. Media: Yellowhammer News | Pathology News. 

It’s not rocket science: The Karim and Henna Budhwani story

Birmingham Business Journal features CerFlux CEO-Scientist Dr. Karim Budhwani and Dr. Henna Budhwani in its “Power Couples” series, spotlighting their shared commitment to improving health outcomes and making a lasting, meaningful impact across geographies and generations. The profile weaves together their complementary strengths: Henna’s work as a professor and implementation scientist at Florida State University focused on advancing women’s health, alongside Karim’s leadership in translational cancer research and building CerFlux, a cancer-focused biotech company aimed at improving cancer treatment outcomes.

CerFlux CEO to lead distinguished panel at BIO 2025

The panel will address a critical challenge in oncology drug development: despite over $90 billion invested annually in R&D, the industry continues to face a staggering 96% failure rate. Dr. Budhwani and fellow panelists - Drs. Menon, Mortko, Bortone, and Scully from Alnylam, Merck, J&J, and Frederick National Lab for Cancer Research - will explore how emerging technologies can transform the current "valley of death" into an efficient pathway for bringing promising cancer treatments to market.

CerFlux, Alabama Power lead BIO Alabama Board

BIO Alabama appoints Dr. Karim I. Budhwani, CEO-Scientist of CerFlux, as Chair, and Ms. Amendi Stephens, economic development leader with Alabama Power, as Vice Chair of its Board. Executive Committee members include Amy Sturdivant, Dr. Gregory Grossman, Jared Sharp, Steve Pelham, Dr. Kathy Nugent, and Dr. Nicholas Landau. This leadership transition comes at a pivotal time as Alabama’s life sciences sector continues to grow in economic impact and innovation.

CerFlux, Acclinate, O'Neal among BBJ Top 40 Under 40

The BBJ held its 41st annual Top 40 Under 40 event honoring emerging leaders who should be on your radar. Among those honored were Dr. Chelsea L. Crawford, Deputy Director of Research at CerFlux, Dr. Lily Gutnik, Surgical Oncologist at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Tiffany Whitlow, Chief Development Officer at Acclinate.

Congratulations to our own Dr. Chelsea Crawford and all the honorees!

The scienthetic method: from Aristotle to AI and the future of medicine

In a thought-provoking perspective for the British Journal of Cancer, Dr. Karim Budhwani jumps into the future with a slingshot stretching back 2,000 years, from Aristotle to AI in medicine. Blending the scientific method with emerging synthetic intelligence, ‘The Scienthetic Method’ explores how we can synergize AI with human wisdom to transcend limitations of the hypothesis-driven approach in an exponentially expanding data universe, while mitigating the risks of artificial ignorance.

Fierce Biotech Summit 2024 Gathers the Industries Most Influential Leaders

With the theme “Rebuilding: What’s Next for Biotech,” the Summit focuses on the future of biotech, covering topics such as the biotech IPO outlook, developments in cell therapy and the transition from corporate communications to corporate affairs. Dr. Karim Budhwani, CEO-Scientist of CerFlux, will chair the Early Stage Development track and lead the panel discussion titled, "Decoding AI in Drug Development: Going Beyond the Hype" with experts from Alkermes, Regeneron Genetics Center, Formation BIO, and Insilico Medicine.

FNL joins two panels at 2024 BIO International Convention

Precision medicine and artificial intelligence (AI) are ushering in major changes in oncology. Precision medicine is an innovative medicinal approach that moves away from a one-size-fits-all strategy to personalized treatments that account for the patient’s genetics. “We have a clear choice,” Budhwani said. “We can either harness these transformative technologies to shape the future of medicine or we can watch from the sidelines as others seize the opportunity to make a global and generational impact. This panel discussion is about this choice—about positioning biotech leaders to take maximum advantage of these technologies to crush cancer.”

CerFlux Awarded $100,000 Innovate Alabama Grant to Advance Cancer Research from Lab-to-Life

"CerFlux exemplifies the type of innovative company, with the potential to make a profound impact globally, that the Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant Program aims to support," said Innovate Alabama CEO Cynthia Crutchfield. "We're excited to partner with CerFlux as they continue to develop transformative technologies and create new jobs and opportunities in Alabama."

Is Your Billion-Dollar Oncology AI Cutting-Edge Technology or is it Artificial Ignorance?

Scenes from the BIO International Convention 2023 panel, "Is Your Billion-Dollar Oncology AI Cutting-Edge Technology or is it Artificial Ignorance?" moderated by Dr. Karim Budhwani (CEO-Scientist at CerFlux) with expert panelists Dr. Maggie Scully (Director of Partnership Development at Frederick National Lab for Cancer Research), Tahera Kan, MBA, MS (VP of Precision Medicine and Enabling Technology at Johnson & Johnson), and Dr. Sandeep Menon (Chief Scientific Officer of AI and Digital Science at Pfizer).

Innovate Alabama opens second round of grant SBIR supplemental funding

“Alabamians have always been innovators – from cutting-edge agricultural techniques to the Saturn V rocket that took humans to the moon. At Innovate Alabama, we are on a mission to continue fostering Alabama’s rich history of innovation through initiatives like our grant program,” said Cynthia Crutchfield, Innovate Alabama CEO. CerFlux, was a first-round grant recipient of this program that seeks to drive innovation from new knowledge to address some of the most intractable challenges facing humanity. More at: Innovate Alabama.

CerFlux receives $100,000 from Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant Program

The company's work involves testing multiple cancer drugs simultaneously on standard biopsy tissue obtained from a patient’s tumor. The benefits of the new technology include not only life-saving and quality-of-life-improving treatments for patients, but potential billions of dollars in savings for pharmaceutical companies.

Alabama Cancer Biotech CEO to lead panel at BIO 2022

Dr. Budhwani, CEO of CerFlux, an Alabama cancer biotech, will lead a panel at the 2022 BIO International Convention in San Diego, where 20,000 people from 60 countries are expected to attend. The panel will explain how personalizing cancer treatment can also improve clinical trials and help the health care system save money.

BCRFA Welcomes New Members to Board and Medical Advisory Council

New members of the BCRFA Medical Advisory Council include Dr. Karim Budhwani, the co-founder and CEO of CerFlux, a Birmingham-based company working to create a personalized medicine approach to cancer treatment that allows patients to live better lives. The Medical Advisory Council has the critical job of reviewing funding requests from researchers across the state, ensuring that their science is sound and the BCRFA’s investments have maximum impact.

How Birmingham Startup Scene Weathered Covid-19

The pandemic has spared few sectors, and Birmingham’s startup scene is no different, with Covid-19 causing a mix of challenges and opportunities. Dr. Karim Budhwani, CEO of the biotech startup CerFlux, encountered a lack of basic laboratory supplies due to supply chain issues. “I think we will all agree that we anticipated this to be a challenge, and we were able to respond rather than react,” he said. “And I believe that has helped us all actually come out ahead."

Servant Leader Vulcans Community Awards 2020

Vulcan Servant Leader Award presented in recognition of selfless service to others. This award recognizes those who, like Vulcan, has stood for the community by serving others. CerFlux CEO, Dr. Karim Budhwani, receives the Servant Leader Spear Award at the annual Vulcans Community Awards for his work in scientific research and developing strategies to help combat the spread of COVID-19.

Healthcare Heroes

In a year like this, heroes rise to the occasion. Since the Covid-19 crisis emerged in March, we’ve seen it time and again across a variety of industries. But, in this challenging year, the heroes in our health care world deserve special recognition. Cancer – the emperor of all maladies – kills nearly 10 million people every year; one death every three seconds. At CerFlux, we are developing nanomedicine biotechnology to change the paradigm from “dying of cancer” to “living with cancer”

CerFlux Receives Grant for Development of Oncology Test

A cancer-specific personalized medicine startup in Birmingham has received a R43 grant from the National Cancer Institute. CerFlux received $249,148 to help fund the continuing development of its low-cost, rapid personalized oncology efficacy test, dubbed POET, for Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

High Stakes: How to Open Alabama Schools

As Alabama schools prepared to reopen during rising COVID-19 case counts, Dr. Karim Budhwani outlines practical steps to reduce transmission risk while keeping in-person learning possible. He stresses planning for multiple spread routes (surfaces, droplets, and airborne aerosols) and recommends layering protections such as consistent masking, reducing “the three C’s” (closed spaces, crowded places, close contact), strong hygiene, cleaning, and improved ventilation/filtration. The piece also encourages symptom monitoring and community-aware vigilance as conditions evolve.

Alabama Launchpad Awarded $580K from the State. Here’s How That Money Will Be Used.

“The Alabama Launchpad Seed Award will be invested in areas ranging from procuring additional equipment, hiring and training scientists, to underwriting costs associated with intellectual property protection and regulatory approval processes. Bottom line: we intend to multiply and reinvest this ‘seed’ back in Alabama,” Budhwani said.

Surviving COVID-19

As COVID-19 rapidly reshapes daily life, Dr. Karim Budhwani and Dr. Matthew Might share a grounded set of “survival tips” that go beyond handwashing and social distancing to address the broader ripple effects of the pandemic. They highlight unintended consequences of well-intentioned policies (e.g. campus closures worsening travel exposure) and warn that “work from home” protections can leave “atoms” jobs (service and retail workers) economically vulnerable. The article argues for measured, steady leadership that preserves social connection while flattening the curve, stabilizes supply chains, and prevents the health system from being overwhelmed. It closes with optimism that science, technology, and responsible collective action can reduce the aftershocks and improve outcomes.

The $1.05m Was BCRFA’s Largest Donation to Date, and Went to Some Worthy Recipients.

It’s kind of dizzying to look at all the good work this sizable donation was able to fund. Here are the very broadest brushstrokes: 7 fully funded projects, 7 projects that received partial grants or second-year funding, BCRFA Endowed Professorship. Many, but not all, of the projects are affiliated with the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. Other recipients included CerFlux, Southern Research Institute and USA Mitchell Cancer Institute.

Meet Birmingham's top CFOs for 2019

In our 2019 CFO Awards, we’re recognizing those talented leaders who are often at the right hand of CEOs – guiding companies through periods of growth and navigating increasingly complex regulations while also shaping the strategies of their businesses. Among those honored was Christopher M. Krebs, CFO, CerFlux, Inc.

CerFlux and VentorLux win combined $150,000 in Selma

In front of a sold-out crowd in Selma on February 28, six Alabama startups made their best pitch. And the winner is (drumroll) our health. Check out what $100,000-winner VentorLux and $50,000-winner CerFlux, based in Birmingham, have in store for us. CerFlux is developing a test to identify the most effective first-line cancer treatments for each individual patient. Compared to traditional protocols, this saves money and precious time. It also saves patients from enduring side effects from ineffective treatments.

Watch out for these 7 startups honored at EDPA’s imerge event on July 12

Did you make it to imerge? A signature event of Birmingham’s recent Innovation Week and hosted by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), imerge recognized movers and shakers in Alabama’s start-up business scene.

CerFlux Awarded BCRFA Grant to Advance Obesity-Informed Breast Cancer Treatment

CerFlux has been awarded a competitive research grant from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) as part of the foundation’s latest statewide investment in breast cancer research. The project will use CerFlux BEST™ (Bioprinted ex vivo Slice Tissue) models to study how obesity alters the tumor microenvironment in triple-negative breast cancer and how those changes can affect therapeutic response. The work aligns with growing momentum for New Approach Methods (NAMs) that reduce reliance on animal testing while improving human relevance in preclinical research.

Bridging the gap with a molecule to medicine expressway

At BIO 2025, Dr. Karim Budhwani, CEO-scientist of CerFlux, moderated a panel of biopharma executives to discuss how companies can bridge “the valley of death” and move to a “molecule-to-medicine expressway” to improve drug discovery and development. It’s the “best panel at BIO four years in a row,” Budhwani quipped. “Do you know who our opening act was?” (Former U.S. President George W. Bush headlined the day). The panel discussed ways of optimizing $90 billion/year investment to reduce the 96% failure rate and help biopharma executives navigate the current turbulence and emerge stronger on the other side.

Addressing Key Biotech Innovator Challenges

Developing breakthrough drugs is painstakingly slow. Questex’s summit on this theme kicked off by spotlighting how emerging technologies can improve the pipeline. Dr. Budhwani joined industry leaders from Johnson & Johnson and Bayer in the opening keynote, “Key Innovator Challenges in Bringing New Projects into the Clinic,” sharing strategies for incorporating new technologies while addressing risks and ethical implications to accelerate drug development.

CerFlux, SR leaders inaugural Birmingham AI Fellows

The Birmingham AI Fellowship program named its first two fellows: Dr. Corinne Augelli-Szafran (Southern Research) and Dr. Karim I. Budhwani (CerFlux). This groundbreaking initiative aims to accelerate AI adoption in scientific disciplines. The fellows will undertake specialized projects using advanced AI technologies. This fellowship addresses the critical need for AI integration in deep tech fields like drug discovery and personalized oncology, furthering Birmingham AI's mission to expand AI accessibility across the community.

Silver wave, new tech, AI, facility growth on horizon in health care for 2025

In discussing prominent health care trends with the BBJ, Dr. Karim Budhwani, CEO of CerFlux, emphasized that the next five years will be pivotal for AI in healthcare, bringing both challenges and opportunities. “AI is not a silver bullet that will magically drop health care costs or errors to zero, nor will it eliminate health equity challenges; costs and errors could go up while further exacerbating health equity. That said, there is much optimism in the sector about the future, with thoughtful AI implementations poised to drive better outcomes.”

How one license plate brought 3 people together

To understand the importance of funding research, we spoke with Dr. Karim Budhwani, CEO-Scientist at CerFlux in Birmingham. “Recent advances in technology are opening doors to precision personalized oncology which was not possible before. This is why investing in cancer research is critical, now more than ever, to take advantage of new technologies so no one has to endure ineffective treatment or wipe out their life savings while fighting the ’emperor of all maladies’.” BCRFA has been partnered with Budhwani since CerFlux’s start.

Newsweek Hosts Panel on the Future of Life Sciences at BIO Convention 2024

We are in the midst of a historic moment in the life sciences sector. Newsweek will be hosting a panel discussion at the upcoming BIO International Convention in San Diego. This is one of the largest, most-comprehensive events for the biotech industry, attended by over 20,000 industry leaders from across the globe. Newsweek Senior Science Reporter Pandora Dewan will be joined by five industry experts to discuss the promises and challenges of these future innovations and, most importantly, how they can be delivered to those who need them. Although the event is sold out, a recording will be available on Newsweek's YouTube channel after the event.

CEO of Bham biotech company to speak at international event

This is Dr. Budhwani's third consecutive year leading a panel at BIO International Convention. The panel will include leaders from Johnson & Johnson, Frederick National Laboratory (FNL) for Cancer Research, and Alnylam. The panel titled, "The Oncology Endgame: Assemble and Shine with Precision Medicine, or Lose." will focus on how AI can improve cancer drug research and address challenges facing biotech and pharmaceutical companies. “We must ensure we are utilizing all available tools in our fight against cancer, including advancements in AI,” said Dr. Scully, Partnership Director at FNL.

BCRFA invests $1.25M to power Alabama’s top breast cancer research institutions

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) proudly announces its commitment to advancing breast cancer research in Alabama through a substantial investment of $1,250,000 in 2023. This grant will support 35 cutting-edge research projects at 8 esteemed institutions, further powering a future free from breast cancer. Among the beneficiaries are Alabama State University, CerFlux, HudsonAlpha Institute, Tuskegee University, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama, and Mitchell Cancer Institute.

FNL Joins BIO Panel To Tackle Tough Questions About AI In Oncology, Promote Partnerships

“Applying AI has tremendous potential in our fight against cancer, from improving screening to predicting treatment outcomes,” said Dr. Scully, FNL’s partnership development manager. “To bolster that potential, the field has seen innovative partnership models and training activities targeting previously untapped talent pools.” Dr. Budhwani, CEO of CerFlux added, “These dialogues are extremely important in how we shape this landscape, because there is no mistaking that we will shape the landscape.”

BCRFA Announces $1.275 Million Investment in Breast Cancer Research

“The BCRFA is proud to continue our legacy of driving breast cancer breakthroughs across Alabama,” said Beth Davis, BCRFA President & CEO. 2022 grantees include Dr. Karim Budhwani and Dr. Chelsea Crawford (CerFlux) for "Getting the Right Treatment to the Right Patient by Matching Regimens to Patient Biopsy Before Treatment."

Cancer Trials Don't Have to Fail 90% of the Time. Seriously.

Clips from the BIO International Convention 2022 panel, "Cancer Trials Don’t Have To Fail 90% of the Time. Seriously." moderated by Dr. Karim Budhwani, CEO of CerFlux with expert panelists Ms. Shara Avis from MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Matthew Clark from CerFlux, and Dr. Scott Lundeen from Johnson & Johnson.

10 Women Scientists in Birmingham You Need to Know

Here is a list of ten women scientists in Birmingham who are making their mark in science, technology, and innovation from new knowledge around the city… inlcuding Dr. Mary Kathryn (M.K.) Sewell-Loftin who is a Senior Scientist at CerFlux - a biotechnolgy company in Birmingham.

CerFlux Receives $100,000 BCRFA Innovation Award

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) has awarded CerFlux $100,000 Innovation award to fast-track research and development of the CerFlux Personalized Oncology Efficacy Test (POET)

Inventors Design Hospital Equipment and Safe Learning Spaces for Students

Last year, as word of the COVID-19 pandemic started to spread across the United States, Dr. Karim Budhwani realized that the country was not prepared to face this crisis. He joined forces with others to put out briefs identifying critical areas of shortages, helped design, produce, and test the inexpensive PABR (Pierce-Arora-Budhwani Respirator), and teamed up with Dr. Craig Wilson to design inexpensive desk partitions for Birmingham areas schools using PVC pipes and shower curtains.

CerFlux Raises $1 Million in Seed Capital

The capital raise, which includes funds from many local investors, will be used to support the company’s research and development on its upcoming test called the Personalized Oncology Efficacy Test, or POET. Company leaders hope the capital can help bring the product to the public faster.

Emerging Leaders in Health, Innovation, and Tech

Birmingham has been a health care town for a long time with a tremendous concentration of emerging leaders who are poised to shape the health care, technology and innovation sectors for years to come. We are recognizing those emerging leaders such as Dr. Rachael Guenter in this special NextGenBHM feature.

A Covid Stimulus Strategy That Works

While this is a very difficult time for our physical, mental, and financial health; it is also a critical time for us to set differences aside and come together to fight this pandemic. It is in this spirit that we are writing to you today to suggest an approach which costs a fraction of the proposed $3 trillion package, is sustainable over twelve months, and provides a more robust path to economic recovery while simultaneously safeguarding those most susceptible to COVID-19 and shielding health systems from becoming overwhelmed.

Birmingham Business Leaders Sound Off On Race, Social Justice and Calls to Action

Amid the backdrop of national protests and calls for change to eliminate racism and ensure social justice, the BBJ reached out to business leaders in Birmingham for their reactions, reflections and calls to action.

Volunteers Step Up To Face The Challenges Of The Pandemic

Efforts in Birmingham to thwart the spread of COVID-19 stretch from volunteer organizations that have stitched more than 18,500 cloth face masks to tech companies and businesses using prototyping, fabrication and 3D printers to create face shields and ventilator adaptors. Birmingham biotech company CerFlux is using its manufacturing, fabrication and prototyping capacities to create PPEs. “Our primary focus is on producing personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes face shields and respirators/masks. We are also preparing to assist in other areas such as ventilator adaptors,” said Dr. Karim Budhwani, CEO of CerFlux and visiting scientist at UAB’s School of Medicine.

Birmingham Company Wins Big in First Alabama Launchpad Competition of Year

A Birmingham company emerged victorious in the seed-stage category of the first Alabama Launchpad competition of 2020. CerFlux won the $100,000 seed stage prize from the Feb. 27 contest, which is a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. CerFlux previously won the concept stage prize during Alabama Launchpad in 2019.

Birmingham-based Biotech Company CerFlux Wants to #CrushCancer.

While the rest of Birmingham goes about its business, a team of superheroes at CerFlux is working tirelessly to crush cancer. Dennis Leonard, from the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, said Alabama’s second chance at a Moon Shot is the eradication of cancer.

Karim Budhwani is Engineering A New Approach to Cancer Care

For the past 20 years, Dr. Karim Budhwani has been honed in on innovation and how it can change business, science and the lives of people around him. “We’re always focused on being future-ready, rather than just addressing the challenges that they may be having today,” Budhwani said. Now, Budhwani and his team are taking inventions and turning them into innovations. But he said this is just step one, and they have a long way to go.

Where Breast Cancer Research Fits in Birmingham's Commercialization Push

From the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Southern Research to recent startups, Birmingham is already on the forefront of the battle against breast cancer in many respects. “If you look at breast cancer cases, there are almost 300,000 cases a year. So building that body of knowledge is great, but we have to do something about taking that research, pulling out from the labs and bringing it to life, and that’s where the entrepreneurial mindset comes in: how do you take these ideas that would otherwise die in labs, how do you put them into labs and bring them to life so that it can applied? That’s what we need more of – we need the entrepreneurial mindset, and we need more funding,” said Dr. Budhwani, CEO-Scientist of CerFlux.

EDPA Unveils Innovation Awards Winners at iMerge

The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama named the winners for its 2018 EDPA Innovation Awards at the 2018 imerge event. Startup Executive of the Year, Dr. Karim Budhwani, is CEO of CerFlux Personalized Medicine, which aims to reduce the pain, reduce the discomfort and reduce the cost of cancer treatment.

CerFlux CEO Gets Fierce about the Future of Drug Development

At Fierce Biotech Week 2025, Dr. Karim Budhwani, CEO-Scientist of CerFlux, served as Chair of the Drug Development track and as an expert panelist on next-generation formulation and process innovation. In opening remarks, he framed the day around “Precision, Partnerships, and Purpose,” emphasizing the need to pair AI with human-relevant biological grounding. He cautioned that AI without biological truth risks becoming a "synthetic echo chamber" that is fast, elegant, and wrong. He outlined a new paradigm for "tunable" AI hallucinations - from strict regulatory precision to "AI Shroom" hypothesis generation - matched to the risk and innovation objective.

Why Birmingham's presence at BIO matters

When our team speaks with biotech leaders from around the world, we’re not just representing CerFlux, we’re representing our city’s potential as a biotech destination. This goes beyond pipettes, microscopes and lab coats. The economic impact on the region could also be transformative. Innovation in biotech creates high-wage jobs, attracts investment capital and generates spinoff businesses. Birmingham has always been a city of innovation and reinvention – from steel to medicine. Biotechnology represents our next frontier – our promise for creating a healthier future while generating economic opportunities at home.

BIO Alabama Leader eyes NIH cuts, biotech priorities

BIO Alabama Chair and CerFlux CEO-Scientist, Dr. Karim I. Budhwani, sat down with Harper Harwell of the Birmingham Business Journal to discuss how recent cuts in research funding are poised to impact biotech innovation in Alabama. In the interview, Dr. Budhwani outlines a 3-prong strategy to chart a course through this turbulence so that biotech in Alabama not only weathers these storms but comes out ahead and stronger on the other side.

ExpertTalk: Reimagining Drug Development

In their latest PharmaFocus Asia ExpertTalk, Dr. Karim Budhwani and Dr. Matt Clark dissect the $100 billion 'valley of death' in cancer drug development. They explore how precision personalized medicine and AI can transform the staggering 96% clinical trial failure rate into a 'molecule-to-medicine expressway,' navigating between institutional inertia and overzealous hype. The conversation charts a collaborative path forward, where patient tumors guide drug development, creating a dynamic feedback loop from bench to bedside to finally #CrushCancer.

How biotech, life sciences industries can grow in Birmingham

Christiaan Engstrom, CEO of Bullpen, joined Dr. Karim Budhwani, Chris Seibert, Bryan Stewart, and Mike Goodrich to host a relaxed but strategic discussion and networking event for Alabama’s biotech and life sciences community. “Birmingham can put itself on the map as a biotech and life sciences research hub” was the resounding message from the gathering, underscoring the city’s growing potential as a leader in research and innovation.

2024 Inno Under 25: Dana Zuaiter, CerFlux

The BBJ's Inno Under 25 spotlight showcases some of the most promising young innovators. Dana Zuaiter, speaking from her perspective at CerFlux, said, "I believe that innovation is vital to society because it gives each person a window to create or discover something that will benefit the greater good. That’s important in Birmingham because this city is equipped with many intelligent minds; when innovation is valued and promoted, more people will have the resources and support to share their ideas allowing for a window of advancement to be open to all."

Gathering Life Sciences Investors and CxOs with a Shared Mission

CerFlux will be joining biotech industry leaders and investors in a series of events hosted alongside BIO International Convention. These events will be aimed at accelerating advances in biotech and life sciences across several themes including AI/ML and precision personalized medicine in oncology.

From polymers to new cures: Alabama’s world-changing innovation didn’t stop after Carver’s peanuts

When you think of Alabama technology, you may conjure sepia-toned images of Carver’s zany peanut inventions or grainy footage of the first moon landing. What you may not realize, is how Alabamians today continue to generate world-changing technologies. The Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant recipient, CerFlux, is changing the way cancer can be treated by developing a personalized test for more precise treatment for each patient’s unique cancer.

CerFlux awarded $275,000 by National Science Foundation

CerFlux ChipMux technology addresses the critical, urgent, and unmet need for accessible and affordable predictive technologies that identify optimal therapy regimens and strategically eliminate ineffective options. This represents a major departure from the generalized one-size-fits-none approach to cancer treatment. This endeavor is further enhanced by a commercial-academic collaboration with the James Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Ohio State University.

CerFlux CEO to lead panel featuring Pfizer, J&J, and FNL at BIO International

“Billions of dollars and FOMO investor zeal frantically chasing the promise of artificial intelligence have been snared instead in 'artificial ignorance',” Budhwani said. "But pausing AI in oncology is not an option. In fact, we have to find ways to accelerate the responsible use of AI to maximize benefits and improve patient outcomes.” The panel will explore how AI can revolutionize cancer drug discovery, the market potential for biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and the challenges that must be overcome to realize these benefits.

CerFlux is looking to Crush Cancer from its HQ in Birmingham

“[Cancer] is not a monolithic disease…it has many many heads,” Budhwani explained to Hypepotamus. “So we need to be able to look at cancer from a multi-headed monster perspective rather than a single monolithic disease.”

Its technology is working to take one single biopsy of a tumor and treat it with dozens of different regimens – something that can save valuable time in finding the right treatment for someone with cancer.

Can the industry elevate the success rate of cancer trials?

An estimated 90% of cancer clinical trials fail, sending those potential oncology treatments either to the drawing board or the scrap heap. Each unsuccessful trial means billions lost in R&D investment and, potentially, countless lives. During the upcoming BIO International Convention, experts from CerFlux, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Aga Khan University will weigh in with insights.

Meet the BBJ's Companies to Watch in 2022

Across the spectrum of the economy, there are Birmingham businesses well positioned for success in the new year, with many primed to lead our economy. We’re highlighting 22 such companies. In 2022, CerFlux established a new 3,000 sq-ft biotech facility at a busy intersection in downtown Birmingham. The company’s continued growth and success would cement Birmingham’s reputation as a biotech and health care innovation leader.

Birmingham Cancer Startup Receives Grant and Selected for NIH I-Corps Accelerator

CerFlux, a local startup focused on cancer, has been selected for the NIH I-Corps Accelerator to fast track the commercialization of the company’s personalized medicine test also known as the Personalized Oncology Efficacy Test (POET). The company has also received a $50,000 grant from the NIH.

BCRFA Invests Over $1 Million Into Research Projects in 2020

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama has selected the projects that will earn part of $1.05 million delegated to Alabama-based breast cancer research. “Despite Covid-19, individuals and companies throughout the state stepped up for breast cancer research,” said Beth Bradner Davis, executive director of the BCRFA.

CerFlux Receives Grant from Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama

CerFlux’s imaging technology is used to provide efficiency that is critical for processing breast cancer tumor specimens through a Personalized Oncology Efficacy test, or POET. The personalized medicine approach at the heart of POET, according to CerFlux, will address the critical, urgent and unmet need for accessible and affordable predictive tools that identify the optimal systemic therapy regimens and eliminate ineffective options for treatment.

BIO Alabama: Connecting the Bioscience Ecosystem Key for Future Growth

The 2020 BIO Alabama Conference wrapped up its final day with panels and keynote speakers including biotech innovation, incubators, and accelerators. In total, the conference delivered over 70 presenters in over 30 sessions. Dr. Karim Budhwani, CEO of advanced personalization medicine technology company CerFlux Inc., gave an insightful talk on innovation and new knowledge, the basis of innovation.

These Two Birmingham Men Designed $2 Desk Partitions. Could This Make School Return Safer?

Dr. Karim Budhwani and Dr. Craig Wilson are putting their considerable talents to work designing something that might make returning to school this fall safer. Learn more about the simple desk partition that has the potential to make safe and healthy learning in schools—in Birmingham and elsewhere—much easier all around. Keep reading for all the details.

How 5 Birmingham Startups + Startup Communities Are Working Now—Why It Matters

One exciting aspect of CerFlux’s new way of work is how it’s opening up more research to not just cancer treatments, but also COVID-19 relief. Working closely with their colleagues at the mighty UAB, including Dr. Nitin Arora and Dr. Bert Pierce. Collaborative efforts resulted in an adaptation of the elastomeric half-mask respirator to make it compatible with hospital-grade inline N1000 filters.

Birmingham 3D printers go to work to help hospitals

Birmingham companies are stepping up to fill in the gaps due to a shortage of PPE during the COVID-19 outbreak, and 3D printing is proving to be one successful resource. "I don’t have to tell you that we are facing an unprecedented situation with the COVID-19 pandemic," said Dr. Karim Budhwani, CEO-Scientist, CerFlux. "Fortunately, we have some of the best health care institutions in our region, however, disruptions in supply chain are threatening to severely constrain these organizations and jeopardize the safety of our friends and colleagues at the very frontlines of fighting this pandemic. So, CerFlux and several others have stepped up to rapidly 'band-aid' these supply-chain disruptions by utilizing local manufacturing and prototyping capacities."

Five Birmingham Companies are Finalists in Alabama Launchpad

We are proud to support these innovative entrepreneurs,” said EDPA President Steve Spencer. “Alabama Launchpad is here to serve early-stage companies all over Alabama, and we look forward to seeing these finalists compete onstage in our state’s capital”.

New Biotech and R&D Space Set to Open Downtown

A new space to house biotech and R&D startups in the Magic City is preparing to open in downtown Birmingham. The project has been in the works for more than two years, and the end result is expected to provide a boost to the local innovation scene by providing critical lab space and a hub for young companies that are tackling the world’s biggest problems, such as cancer.

Birmingham Startup Among Winners in First Alabama Launchpad of 2019

Birmingham Medical startup CerFlux and Phenix City’s VentorLux LLC were the two winners. CerFlux took home the $50,000 prize in the concept stage of the competition. The company has conceptualized an approach to finding more precise treatment of people with a cancer diagnosis, using a patent-pending precision medicine model. This model can individualize a therapy that can yield better results in fighting the disease.

Birmingham Women to Watch for 2018

My goals include #CrushCancer, expand health care access, and reduce incorrect claims payments. First, through CerFlux, we want to equip patients and physicians with additional data about the most efficient treatment for each individual’s tumor,” Johnson said.