Maryland business researching treatment options for a debilitating illness
COLUMBIA, Md., (June 16, 2025) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced a recent $100,000 Pre-Seed Builder Fund investment in Higher Medicine. The Pre-Seed Builder Fund is housed under the Social Impact Funds, an umbrella of investment opportunities that seek to provide eligible entrepreneurs with access to support and capital.
“Kabuki syndrome is a rare genetic disorder in children that results in developmental delays, distinct facial features, and various medical complications throughout life,” said Leo Kim, Ph.D, founder and CEO of Higher Medicine. “We are looking to give hope to those impacted by developing a treatment that addresses the root causes, rather than symptomatic relief only. With TEDCO’s investment, we are excited to continue forward.”
Hans Bjorsson, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Pediatrics and Genetics at Johns Hopkins University and a leading expert in the scientific and clinical research in Kabuki syndrome, added, “Our lab has been committed to Kabuki syndrome for over 15 years, and we’re excited to see Higher Medicine build on that foundation. This includes advancing a drug screening tool for epigenetic modification, which is currently under exclusive licensing discussions with Higher Medicine.”
Higher Medicine, located in Baltimore, Md., is a company working to develop functional cures for Kabuki syndrome (KS) using epigenetic modifying molecules. The business aims to restore the open versus closed chromatin balance, the primary cause of KS, by using an LSD-1 inhibitor and accelerating into a patient clinical study.
“The Builder Fund was created to support opportunities by providing eligible entrepreneurs with investment grade companies access to support and capital,” said senior director of Social Impact Funds, Jean-Luc Park. “Innovative research and development efforts, like those seen in Higher Medicine, are important in supporting the development of an innovation economy in Maryland.”
TEDCO’s Pre-Seed Builder Fund finances companies with up to $200,000 in investments via convertible notes. Besides financial support, those chosen to receive a Builder Fund investment are given administrative assistance, mentorship and networking resources. For more information about our funding opportunities, visit our page here.
“It is great to see life sciences entrepreneurs and innovators continue their research and development efforts across Maryland. As a STEM talent powerhouse, the state has much to offer the various technology and life sciences-based startups looking for a home,” TEDCO CEO Troy LeMaile-Stovall explained. “That includes some of the nation’s best programs in life sciences and engineering at the globally recognized Johns Hopkins University as well as a booming workforce of 120,000 in the information technology field and 46,000 in the life sciences.”
About TEDCO
TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at www.tedcomd.com.
Media Contact
Tammi Thomas, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, TEDCO, tthomas@tedcomd.com
Rachael Kalinyak, Associate Director, Marketing & Communications, TEDCO, rkalinyak@tedcomd.com