Innovators: Lisa Kemp and Nick Hammond, Founders of Ablitech, Inc.

Hattiesburg, MS - Lisa Kemp and Nick Hammond, co-founders of Ablitech, Inc, are this month’s recipients of the Innovator Award.  Kemp is originally from Picayune, Mississippi, and received her PhD in polymer science from Southern Miss.  Hammond is originally from McCordsville, Indiana and will receive his PhD in medicinal chemistry from the University of Mississippi this year.

Ablitech is developing a new coronary stent that is safer and has a lower risk of failure.  Today’s available stents are made of metal and remain rigid in the artery, whereas Ablitech’s stent is initially rigid to help open the artery, releases medication to prevent the artery from reclosing, and then becomes flexible with time.  They call their technology biotransformable: it changes over time so it moves with the body instead of staying stiff.

Lisa Kemp and Nick Hammond, who at the time were graduate students of Southern Miss’s polymer science and University of Mississippi’s medicinal chemistry, formed the Ablitech concept in 2005.

“We realized that the combination of our backgrounds created a unique advantage. I knew about polymers, and Nick knew medicinal chemistry,” said Kemp.  “and learning to work as a team has help us overcome hurdles that would have been more difficult as individuals”, added Hammond.  After formally incorporating in 2006, Ablitech brought in experienced financial and business leadership to aggressively pursue the company’s goals. Their stent technology has continued to win awards at several regional and national business plan competitions, including Noetic Technology’s Invent Your Future, and National Science Foundation SBIR Phase I and IB funding.

As a former resident of Chicago, Kemp chose to remain in Hattiesburg post-gradation. “I watched my peers choose high-paying jobs elsewhere,“ says Kemp.   “It’s sometimes difficult because they tell me about their new car or nice house.  Anyone who’s started a company knows those perks don’t come initially.”  Despite this, Kemp decided to found her company in the Pine Belt.  “I am a product of Mississippi, and I want to stay here in order to help our region.”

Ablitech is currently seeking funding and is examining other medical applications for their technology.