SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 28, 2026--
Ossium Health, a bioengineering company that built the world's first bank of organ donor-derived bone marrow, has been named to the 2026 Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startups list, Forbes' annual selection of 20 fast-growing U.S. companies it considers most likely to reach a $1 billion valuation.
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Produced by Forbes for the twelfth consecutive year, the list is selected from startups that are venture-backed, based in the United States, and currently valued at less than $1 billion. Of the 275 companies named to the list since its inception, 60% have gone on to become unicorns.
"This recognition reflects the value of the platform we've built and the scale of the problem it addresses," said Kevin Caldwell, CEO, Co-Founder & President of Ossium Health. "Thousands of patients each year never reach transplant because no donor is available in the timeframe their disease allows. Our bank removes this wait from the critical path. As our bone marrow becomes more widely available over the next year, we expect to serve more patients and narrow the donor availability gap."
Ossium has now treated 28 patients, and in every case the company's marrow took hold and began producing healthy white blood cells in the recipient, a critical milestone known as neutrophil engraftment.
About Ossium Health
Ossium Health is a bioengineering company that leverages its proprietary organ donor bone marrow banking platform to develop stem cell therapies for patients with life-threatening hematologic conditions and musculoskeletal defects. Founded in 2016, the company is led by Kevin Caldwell, CEO, Co-Founder & President, and Erik Woods, Chief Science Officer, Co-Founder & Executive Vice President. Ossium's manufacturing facility is registered with the FDA and its laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). For more information, visit ossiumhealth.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and X.
Forbes Names Ossium Health a 2026 Next Billion-Dollar Startup
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani says his right biceps is not 100% in addition to his sore left knee, and both factored into the Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way superstar not throwing a bullpen last week.
The four-time MVP hasn't pitched in a game since July 3 but has continued to play regularly as the designated hitter for Los Angeles.
“My biceps is not 100%,” Ohtani said through a translator Tuesday night while speaking with media for the first time since before the All-Star break. "Just similar issue with the knee. Do we consider pushing this? It is still July. So I think the conversation would be a little different if we’re in August or September.”
Ohtani hit his 10th leadoff home run of the season in a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners. It was his 28th leadoff shot as a Dodger, tying him with the late Davey Lopes for second all-time. Ohtani finished 3 for 4 with a walk, a double, three RBIs and a run.
"I do think that the road trip was exhausting for everyone. I do think that with the day off, he came in fresh and looked more like himself," manager Dave Roberts said. “Certainly the way he swung the bat, the way he’s running, he’s not compromised. Until I hear otherwise, he’s going to be in the lineup.”
Ohtani had a lubricant injection in his knee just before the All-Star break and he skipped the game in Philadelphia to rest.
“I really took the All-Star break as that opportunity to really stay off my knees,” he said. “It’s really something that I have to just deal with over the course of the season.”
Ohtani said in Japanese that the injection wasn't a cure-all and he mentioned “a decision that I'm going to ultimately make after the season's over” without clarifying what he was referring to.
He explained the lingering knee soreness was caused by pitching.
“In terms of running, I’m not exactly at 100% capacity,” he said. "When I know it’s not, then it’s always a little harder to be aggressive on the basepath.”
Ohtani said his knee is getting better, which is a priority.
“I don’t think the team has really come to a place exactly where, do I pitch through it or not?” he said. "That’s still really up in the air.”
If Ohtani's health issues don't improve, Roberts was asked whether it's possible the right-hander wouldn't pitch in the postseason for the two-time defending World Series champions.
“I guess anything’s possible, but for me, it’s highly unlikely,” Roberts said. “Given where we’re at in the calendar, if the knee continues to get better, the arm continues to feel better, I would expect him to pitch. All I know is that we’re trying to, I’m trying to, give him the best opportunity to be as healthy as possible, so he can help us on both ends of the baseball.”
Roberts said when Ohtani is cleared to pitch again, he'll need to go through a buildup process.
“I don’t think anyone can kind of foresee what that looks like,” the manager said.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (17) hits solo home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 28 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)
Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates his solo home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 28 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)
