Whimsy Wins Annual Pharmacy Business Competition

The winners of the 22nd Annual School of Pharmacy Capstone Business Plan Competition.

Academic Innovation | 5/4/2026 By Jennifer Persons

Student entrepreneurs leaned on creativity and ingenuity to pitch their business ideas to faculty and pharmacy leaders.

Donning fuzzy headbands with bear ears, five pharmacy students presented their oral nicotine spray device and behavioral therapy system.

“At UrsaMist, we hope to make quitting bearable,” said Rachel Smith, ’27, as she concluded her team’s pitch.

A few posters away, a four-month-old Yorkipoo named Onyx served as mascot for a team proposing a specialty pharmacy for pets with chronic conditions.

“We’re proving how much this idea makes sense because like so many people, I love my dog and want what’s best for him,” said Sabina St. Fleur, ’28, cradling Onyx in her arms. “A judge told us our project has legs.”

in-article 1.jpg — Sabina St. Fleur, PharmD '28, brought her puppy to help pitch her team's business plan.

Before the props, puns, and puppies, there were months of work. Students conducted market research, refined their ideas, created budgets and financial plans, and built businesses from the ground up.

In the end, 25 teams of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) participated in the 22nd Annual Capstone Business Plan Competition. This year’s proposals spanned from devices to pet pharmacies, software to consulting, and more to address gaps across the pharmacy field.

“The future of pharmacy won’t be handed to you,” said Dr. Joe Ferullo, who has overseen the competition for most of its existence. “You’ll need to create it. Over these months, you’ve experienced teamwork, entrepreneurial thinking, communication, and leadership. With these skills, you’re ready to branch out beyond our four walls.”

The UrsaMist team took the top prize at this year’s competition. They created an oral nicotine spray device to reduce nicotine use, particularly among young adults. It comes with an app and a built-in tapering plan to help users address their addiction.

“We know from studying addiction that the physical effects of withdrawal are not enough to quit,” said Smith, holding a giant check displaying their first-place prize. “UrsaMist is a system with an AI-teddy bear companion to teach users behaviors that will reverse their nicotine-using habits.”

in-article 2.jpg — Team UrsaMist's creativity helped them win the competition.

Smith explained that the fuzzy headbands illustrate the team’s ability to create a feasible business.

“We’re excited to showcase not just the amount of effort we put into this project, but that this idea isn’t theoretical. It could work in today’s world.”

Several capstone projects before UrsaMist have become successful businesses, including TJ Parker’s PillPack and Allison Burns’ EMO Health. Burns gave a keynote address at this year’s competition.

“Innovation isn’t always about creating something new but improving something that already exists,” Burns said. “If your business plan is still in the works or needs tweaking, that’s completely normal. Your ideas and your career will evolve. You will need to remain curious and willing to keep going even when the path is not always clear.”

After winning the competition in 2015, Burns brought her concept to the community, handing out naloxone rescue kits and blankets in Boston. Today, EMO Health provides education, medication training, and technical assistance to more than 6,500 treatment beds across the state.

Burns’ attendance inspired Dr. Ferullo to reflect on the legacy of this competition, not just for the students.

“My son, who is 22 years old and graduating college, was a baby when this started,” he said. “He reminded me this morning to take it all in. Looking out at your faces, I am. I am very, very proud of you.”