Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) in partnership with Innovate Alabama, has announced Kalm Therapeutics as the winner of $100,000 in non-dilutive funding in the Life Sciences Track.

AJ Singhal, founder of Kalm Therapeutics, will receive $100,000 in non-dilutive funding, as well as access to follow-on mentorship and exposure to Alabama’s growing network of investors and innovation partners. Kalm Therapeutics is developing the first naturally-derived prescription eczema and psoriasis patch to protect and treat skin.

The company was selected from a competitive group of three life science-focused finalists, which also included:

Flexicoat (Mountain Brook, Alabama) — Revolutionizing biomedical device coatings to create lubricious, self-sterilizing, superhydrophilic surfaces—safely and in under 15 minutes.
Gulf Sterilization Inc. (Mobile, Alabama) — Provides contract sterilization services to the health care industry, ensuring safe and effective medical devices.

Kalm Therapeutics’ new treatment modality will protect the skin from scratching, environmental irritants, moisture-loss, and infection while delivering a natural medicine to the epidermis.

“This award will allow Kalm to treat more patients and run more biomarker tests during our upcoming clinical trial for people suffering with chronic eczema,” said Singhal. “We are excited about having impact in patients’ lives and the clinical trial data, which will drive advancement of Kalm’s drug products. As a small pharma company from Alabama, this award from EDPA really makes us feel the love from Sweet Home Alabama!”

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The finalists pitched their ventures behind closed doors to a panel of seasoned judges:

Nancy Wenger Keller, MBA candidate at MIT Sloan School of Management, who has worked in biotech throughout her career; Jamie Tyler, Ph.D., professor of neuroscience at UAB; and Kellie Clark, former healthcare practice chair of gener8tor board member of Health Rounds.

“As a judge, it was exciting to see the energy coming from startup founders in Alabama,” said Keller. “Each finalist showed a passion for addressing pressing needs in the life sciences, and I look forward to seeing their companies continue to grow.”

Cycle 2 2025 marked the second round under Alabama Launchpad’s newly restructured format, which includes three industry-specific tracks, $2,500 upfront funding for each finalist, and a 12-week mentorship program designed to better support Alabama’s most promising startups.

The Alabama Launchpad Cycle 2 Tech Track awarded Caroline and Trey McMeans, founders of Homepoint, $70,000 on October 26. It also awarded $50,000 to Stephane Lee, founder of VRobotics, on Oct. 28.