BioHealth Innovation Weekly for July 9, 2024

Join us this September for the BioHealth Capital Region Week 2024, a gathering that epitomizes the spirit of innovation in the biopharma industry. Hosted once again at US Pharmacopeia in Rockville, MD, from September 17th, 18th, and 19th, 2024, this event is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors, ensuring it remains free for all attendees. This year, we are featuring three cornerstone events: the 10th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum, the 9th Annual Crab Trap Competition, and the 7th Annual Investment Conference. Each event is tailored to foster unique opportunities for networking, learning, and investment, drawing together industry leaders, innovators, and investors from across the nation. We extend our heartfelt thanks to US Pharmacopeia for hosting us and to our sponsors whose contributions are vital in making these gatherings accessible to all. Click here to register and apply.

A Decade of Advancement and Achievement

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the BioHealth Capital Region Forum, and we are celebrating a decade of advancements that have positioned our region at the forefront of the biopharma industry. The Forum, spanning the first two days (September 17-18), will feature a lineup of speakers who are pioneers and thought leaders in the industry. Attendees will gain invaluable insights through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and sessions that delve into the latest innovations and trends shaping healthcare and biopharmaceuticals.

Crab Trap Competition: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity

The excitement peaks on September 18th with the 9th Annual Crab Trap Competition. This event showcases emerging companies as they pitch groundbreaking solutions to a panel of esteemed judges for a chance to win significant funding and support. It's not just a competition; it's a launchpad for the next generation of BioHealth innovations, providing startups with the visibility they need to attract investors and partners.

Connecting Innovators with Investors

The week concludes with the 7th Annual Investment Conference on September 19th, a must-attend for startups seeking investment and investors looking for the next big thing in BioHealth. This conference facilitates direct connections between up-and-coming companies and seasoned investors through curated meetings, fostering a dynamic environment for deal-making and partnership formation.

Are you ready to showcase your company to some of the top minds in the industry? The 9^th Annual Crab Trap competition, a highlight of the annual BioHealth Capital Region Week, is now accepting applications from emerging companies eager to demonstrate their groundbreaking solutions. Scheduled for September 18th at the US Pharmacopeia in Rockville, MD, this competition is an unmissable opportunity for startups looking to make a significant impact.

A Platform for Pioneers

The Crab Trap provides a unique platform for startups to present their innovations before a panel of esteemed judges and a live audience. This year’s competition promises exciting prizes, including cash and business services, to accelerate the winning entry’s growth and success.

Why Enter Crab Trap?

Participating in the Crab Trap competition offers numerous benefits:

Visibility: Gain exposure to a broad audience of industry professionals, investors, and potential partners.
Feedback: Receive valuable insights and feedback from leaders in the biohealth industry.
Prizes: Compete for a chance to win cash and services that can catalyze your company’s growth and development.

Apply Now

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNAC) (the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering mRNA cell therapy for autoimmune diseases, today announced that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement for a private investment in public equity (“PIPE”) financing that is expected to result in gross proceeds of approximately $130.0 million to the Company, before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. The PIPE financing is expected to close on or about July 3, 2024, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The PIPE financing included participation from both new and existing investors, including HBM Healthcare Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Invus, Schooner Capital, Surveyor Capital (a Citadel company), Timothy A. Springer, Ph.D., a leading mutual fund manager, and other institutional investors.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNAC) (“Cartesian” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering mRNA cell therapy for autoimmune diseases, today announced positive topline results from its Phase 2b trial of Descartes-08 in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG).

Descartes-08, Cartesian’s lead product candidate, is an autologous mRNA-engineered chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (mRNA CAR-T) directed against the B cell maturation antigen (BCMA). It is designed to be administered as an outpatient treatment without the need for lymphodepleting chemotherapy required to achieve activity with conventional CAR-T cell therapies. Descartes-08 was previously granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) Designation and Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of MG.

18 projects will receive funding to support their growth and development

COLUMBIA, Md., (June 27, 2024) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced the 2024 Maryland Makerspace Initiative Program (“Makerspace Program”) awardees. Funding will be awarded to 18 projects spanning across nine (9) counties and Baltimore City.

“TEDCO is committed to supporting the continued growth of innovation in Maryland. The Makerspace Program is just one tool that TEDCO has to promote this expansion,” said Terry Rauh, chief finance and operations officer at TEDCO. “And after witnessing the success and growth of last year’s awardees, we are hopeful that these awardees will continue the trend.”

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) today announced it has received more than $250 million in contract modifications from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to deliver millions of doses of four medical countermeasures (MCMs). These contract modifications will help ensure continued supply/stockpiling of critical MCMs to address biological threats and emergencies against anthrax, smallpox and botulism.

BEL AIR, Md., (July 1, 2024) – Maryland Department of Commerce has awarded $500K to Baltimore-based Early Charm to develop a biomanufacturing incubator at a Harford County-owned facility near Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). The funding from the state’s Build Our Future grant will be used to upgrade the CONVERGE Innovation Center, formerly known as the HEAT Center, located at the I-95/Aberdeen interchange.

Biomanufacturing is the use of biological processes to build new materials such as body armor made from spider silk, three times the strength of Kevlar. This technology has the potential to revolutionize manufacturing.

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), announced another funding round of approximately $504 million in implementation grants to 12 Tech Hubs to scale up the production of critical technologies, create jobs in innovative industries, strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and national security, and accelerate the growth of industries of the future in regions across the United States.

The Tech Hubs Program is a flagship initiative of President Biden’s Administration to invest in and grow the economies in communities across the country, advancing America’s global leadership in critical technologies, and strengthening our national and economic security.

HONG KONG and GERMANTOWN, Md. and SUZHOU, China, July 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sirnaomics Ltd. (the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group" or "Sirnaomics"; stock code: 2257), a leading biopharmaceutical company engaging in discovery and development of advanced RNAi therapeutics, today announced the interim results for successful completion of the second cohort of its Phase I clinical study of GalNAc-based RNAi therapeutic STP122G, targeting Factor XI as a novel form of anticoagulation agent.

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kerecis, the company pioneering the use of sustainably sourced fish skin and fatty acids in cellular therapy and tissue regeneration and protection, today announced the availability of Shield Spiral, an extension of the Kerecis Shield silicone fish-skin combination product range.

The patented, intact fish-skin graft and silicone combination, features perforated fenestration marks cut in a unique spiral pattern, allowing easy customization. The 30 mm graft can be reduced to as small as 15 mm by peeling away the 2 mm outer spiral sections and cutting to the desired size, providing unmatched flexibility and precision in treatment.