Company works to innovate solutions for COPD patients
COLUMBIA, Md., (December 16, 2025) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced two investments in LASARRUS totaling $75,000 from the organization’s Pre-Seed Builder Fund. TEDCO’s Pre-Seed Builder Fund is housed under TEDCO’s Social Impact Funds which were created to engage and invest in economically underserved founders and communities.
“With more than 16 million people in the nation suffering from COPD, we need a better solution that can meet patients where they are at,” said Lloyd Emokpae, CEO of LASARRUS. “Thanks to TEDCO, we look forward to continuing forward, providing another solution for COPD patients across Maryland and beyond.”
LASARRUS, based in Baltimore, Md., is a company dedicated to advancing device-enabled solutions for remote monitoring of COPD patients. This mission led the company to develop WearME, an innovative wearable device that integrates a digital stethoscope, motion tracker as well as optional ECG and temperature sensors, uniquely focused on precise lung function monitoring to address the critical needs of COPD patients with unparalleled accuracy and convenience.
“As the innovation ecosystem continues to develop and evolve, we are seeing more and more alternative solutions for debilitating conditions, like what LASARRUS is working on,” said Jean-Luc Park, deputy chief investment officer & senior director of Social Impact Funds, TEDCO. “We aim to have this investment in LASARRUS supports their continued growth and development.”
LASARRUS has been a part of the TEDCO portfolio since 2022 when the company received its first Pre-Seed Builder Fund investment of $100,000; a second investment of $50,000 was provided in 2024 to support the research and development of the patented WearME device. Additionally, the company recently received $75,000 in SBIR Phase II matching funds from TEDCO’s SBIR/STTR Matching Funds program to support LASARRUS’ NIH SBIR R44 (Year 1) award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) (R44HL172444).
“Maryland is a STEM powerhouse, attracting some of the best and brightest minds with opportunities like working with federal agencies or military institutions,” said TEDCO CEO Troy LeMaile-Stovall. “The growth of our life sciences sector and the number of opportunities for support, make it clear – Maryland is the place to start and grow a life sciences business.”
Funded companies are provided with resources like hands-on executive support, peer-to-peer mentoring and collaboration, and networking opportunities. For information about TEDCO’s Builder Fund, visit tedcomd.com/funding/builder-fund.