Trace Biosciences

Trace Biosciences, formerly known as Inherent Targeting, is a private biotechnology company developing nerve-targeted fluorescent imaging agents designed to help surgeons visualize nerves in real time during surgery. Its lead program, LGW16-03 (NerveTrace Dx), received FDA IND clearance in January 2026 for first-in-human clinical evaluation, initially in orthopedic surgery. The company’s broader NerveTrace platform includes additional preclinical agents intended for nerve visualization across multiple surgical specialties and for rapid nerve damage assessment. Trace’s technology is based on proprietary small-molecule near-infrared fluorophores engineered for selective nerve binding, rapid tissue kinetics, and compatibility with existing clinical imaging systems. The company is based in Beaverton, Oregon and was founded by Connor Barth, Summer Gibbs, and Lei Wang.