Enveda, OnKure Therapeutics, and Watchmaker Genomics Named Company of the Year Finalists HepQuant, Think Bioscience, and VitriVax Selected as Rising Star Finalists  Foresight Diagnostics, a Natera Company, Honored with 2026 Deal of the Year Award  

DENVER, October 14, 2026 – Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) announces the finalists for its prestigious annual awards, recognizing the companies and people leading health innovation across Colorado’s thriving life sciences ecosystem. Hundreds of life sciences leaders will gather for an evening of impact, inspiration, and connection at the 23rd Annual Awards Celebration Presented by KBI Biopharma. The high-profile event takes place on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. 

“Colorado’s life sciences companies are attracting major investments, expanding operations here, and advancing new approaches to some of the toughest health challenges,” said Elyse Blazevich, President & CEO of Colorado BioScience Association. “Our finalists and honorees demonstrate the depth of talent and ambition in this community. Their achievements strengthen Colorado’s competitiveness and bring new possibilities to patients from the center of the country. We’re celebrating that progress and the collaboration and bold thinking that will propel Colorado toward becoming a top-five life sciences hub.” 

Company of the Year Finalists: Established, homegrown Colorado companies making transformative contributions to health and care through pioneering science and strategic growth. 

Enveda | Boulder, Colorado 

Enveda is using artificial intelligence to search the chemistry found in nature for potential new medicines, opening up a vast source of biology that has historically been difficult to study at scale. In September 2026, the Boulder-based company raised $311 million in Series E financing following encouraging early clinical results for programs in atopic dermatitis and metabolic health, bringing its valuation to more than $2 billion. Enveda’s rapid growth demonstrates the potential created when Colorado’s strengths in artificial intelligence and life sciences converge to advance new treatments for patients.  

OnKure Therapeutics | Boulder, Colorado 

OnKure Therapeutics is developing precision medicines designed to attack the specific genetic mutations driving certain cancers and vascular anomalies, with the goal of delivering more effective treatments with fewer unwanted effects. In March 2026, the Boulder company completed a $150 million financing to advance its next generation of drug candidates, including programs addressing breast cancer and vascular anomalies where patients still need better treatment options. 

Watchmaker Genomics | Boulder, Colorado 

Watchmaker Genomics develops and manufactures highly specialized tools that help researchers and diagnostic laboratories read and analyze DNA with greater precision. In September 2026, the company announced a 100,000-square-foot Boulder expansion expected to more than double its manufacturing capacity and support hundreds of new Colorado jobs. Watchmaker also launched new molecular diagnostics products, grew its Colorado workforce by more than 35% in the preceding year, and received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Exporting, demonstrating both scientific and manufacturing leadership from Colorado.  

Rising Star of the Year Finalists: Growth companies driven to discover, expand, and succeed in Colorado while improving lives around the world. 

HepQuant | Denver, Colorado 

HepQuant is developing blood-based tests that give clinicians a clearer picture of how well a patient’s liver is actually functioning, providing information that can help guide care and support the development of new therapies. In June 2026, the company received FDA premarket approval (PMA) for its HepQuant SHUNT® Liver Diagnostic Test, a major regulatory milestone. HepQuant also earned College of American Pathologists laboratory accreditation and continued generating evidence for its DuO® test in clinical care and research.  

Think Bioscience | Boulder, Colorado 

Think Bioscience is pursuing one of drug discovery’s hardest challenges: creating medicines for disease-causing proteins that scientists have historically considered “undruggable.” Its synthetic biology platform reveals hidden places on those proteins where new medicines may be able to bind. In January 2026, the Boulder company raised $55 million in an oversubscribed Series A financing to advance a pipeline of potential first-in-class medicines, including a program targeting the underlying biology of Noonan syndrome, a genetic condition for which no such approved therapy currently exists.  

VitriVax | Boulder, Colorado 

VitriVax is developing technology designed to make vaccines easier to store, distribute, and deliver, particularly in places where refrigeration and repeat access to healthcare can be challenging. Its ALTA® platform is designed to protect vaccines from heat-related degradation and potentially combine initial and booster doses into a single injection. Backed by a $17.25 million Series B financing and a $9.9 million Gates Foundation grant, VitriVax is advancing its platform toward clinical trials while expanding its Colorado footprint with a new 31,465-square-foot facility at BioMed Realty’s Flatiron Park campus.  

Deal of the Year Honoree: Recognizes a significant transaction demonstrating the value of Colorado’s life sciences innovation and creating new opportunities for growth and patient impact. 

Foresight Diagnostics, a Natera Company | Boulder, Colorado 

Foresight Diagnostics developed an exceptionally sensitive blood test designed to detect tiny traces of cancer that may remain after treatment, helping physicians better understand whether disease is still present or returning. Its patented PhasED-Seq™ technology analyzes circulating tumor DNA to support more precise cancer monitoring. In December 2025, Natera acquired the Foresight for $275 million in upfront stock consideration, with up to $175 million in additional milestone payments tied to revenue and reimbursement milestones. The transaction combines Foresight’s technology and lymphoma expertise with Natera’s commercial scale and precision oncology portfolio, creating opportunities to extend the technology across blood cancers and solid tumors. It also demonstrates the significant value being created by Colorado-born life sciences innovation. 

Legislators of the Year and Additional Honorees 

This year, CBSA will also honor four Colorado policymakers as Legislators of the Year for their commitment to advancing life sciences in the state and engagement on legislation critical to our life sciences community.  

• Sen. Judy Amabile (D, District 18 – Boulder, Louisville, Superior, and Gunbarrel) 

• Sen. John Carson (R, District 30 – Douglas County) 

• Rep. Dusty Johnson (R, District 63 – Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, and Yuma Counties)  

• Rep. Andrew Boesenecker (D, District 53 – Larimer) 

Additionally, the evening will recognize a number of companies and individuals who are driven to support the growth of Colorado’s life sciences ecosystem and the health of patients around the world. Their names will be revealed during the event.  

• Educator of the Year Sponsored by Fisher Scientific  

• Institute Leadership Award Sponsored by Biodesix  

• Volunteer of the Year 

• Patient Champion of the Year 

• Business Partner of the Year 

• Building Momentum Award Sponsored by Metro Denver EDC 

• Manufacturing Excellence Award  

“Colorado’s life sciences community is built on people and organizations willing to push boundaries, invest in bold ideas, and work together to create meaningful impact,” said Matt Teter, Vice President of Partnerships at Colorado BioScience Association. “CBSA’s Annual Awards Celebration gives us an opportunity to recognize that leadership while bringing our community together at an important moment of growth and momentum for Colorado. The achievements we are celebrating this year reflect both how far our ecosystem has come and the opportunity ahead.” 

Remarks from Attorney General Phil Weiser 

Colorado Attorney General and Democratic Candidate for Colorado Governor Phil Weiser will provide remarks at CBSA’s 23rd Annual Awards Celebration. He will join us in celebrating Colorado’s life sciences achievements and the people, companies, and partnerships driving our growth as a leading hub for health innovation. 

Centered on Hope: A Keynote Fireside Chat 

Discover how Colorado research and patient advocacy are opening new possibilities for people living with stiff person syndrome (SPS), the rare neurological disease that gained global attention following Céline Dion’s diagnosis.  

Amanda Piquet, M.D., Director of CU Anschutz’s Autoimmune Neurology Program and Céline Dion Foundation Endowed Chair, and Tara Zier, D.D.S., Founder & CEO of The Stiff Person Syndrome Research Foundation, will join CBSA President & CEO Elyse Blazevich for a conversation about the search for better treatments. Together, they will explore how research, patient advocacy, philanthropy, and collaboration are accelerating progress and creating new reasons for hope for patients and families.   

Event Details and Sponsorship Opportunities 

Colorado’s life sciences community is invited to join CBSA for this celebration of innovation and impact at the 23rd Annual Awards Celebration Presented by KBI Biopharma Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. A limited number of sponsorships and tables remain available. Contact Matt Teter, CBSA Vice President of Partnerships.

About Colorado BioScience Association 

Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) creates co-opportunity for the Colorado life sciences community. CBSA champions a collaborative life sciences ecosystem and advocates for a supportive business climate. From concept to commercialization, member companies and organizations drive global health innovations, products, and services that improve and save lives. The association leads Capital + Growth, Education + Networking, Policy + Advocacy, and Workforce Cultivation initiatives to make its members stronger together. Learn more: cobioscience.com 

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Media Contact
Sheliah Reynolds
Primavera Group for Colorado BioScience Institute and Colorado BioScience Association
(720) 289-4739
sheliah@theprimaveragroup.com