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Human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are being used in the clinic to prevent or treat SARS-CoV-2 infection, and experience thus far suggests that combinations of antibodies are potentially able to sustain broad recognition of viral variants as they arise, but developing, testing and approving mAb combination products is complex. One approach to reducing the logistical challenges of combination products is the development of bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) (Fig. 1). In this issue of Nature Immunology, Li et al. report the development and testing of an engineered bispecific human mAb against SARS-CoV-21.

Image: https://www.nature.com

Casimir Further Differentiates Emmes’ Industry-Leading Rare Disease Research Capabilities

ROCKVILLE, Md., March 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Emmes, a global, full-service Clinical Research Organization (CRO) dedicated to supporting the advancement of public health and biopharmaceutical innovation, today announced that it has acquired Casimir, a U.S.-based CRO. Casimir has experience in more than 20 rare diseases and has worked with regulators, sponsors and patients to develop outcome measures that capture the nuances of disease progression and treatment benefit.

– Reports Promising Early Data from Lead Clinical Program, JK07, for the Treatment of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction –

– Initiates Enrollment in Second Cohort of JK07 Phase 1 Dose Escalation Study –

(Gaithersburg, MD) – March 7, 2022 – Salubris Biotherapeutics, Inc. (SalubrisBio), a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to discovering and developing novel complex biologic therapeutics, today announced it received $32 million in financing from China-based Shenzhen Salubris Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. The investment, which was completed in the fourth quarter of 2021, will be used to advance the current pipeline, including continuation of an ongoing Phase 1b clinical trial and initiation of two additional Phase 1b clinical trials in 2022, and to further expand the pipeline through R&D.

For a small business with a brilliant new idea in the life sciences, a funding infusion can do wonders to help translate that concept into reality. Did you know that the NIH small business programs are the largest source of early-stage capital for the life sciences in the U.S.? These programs set aside over $1.2 billion non-dilutive funds every year — specifically to support small business research and development. 

Indeed, in 2021, the U.S. bioscience industry represents a unique confluence of characteristics essential for addressing these challenges and realizing societal and economic progress: extraordinary innovation that’s saving and improving lives through advancements in biomedical, energy, and advanced food and industrial technologies, along with an expanding mix of employment opportunities with incomes that support a quality standard of living.

The industry is at the forefront of a host of major global challenges related to diagnosing, treating, and curing disease—especially COVID-19 and other infections with pandemic potential. The industry is also ensuring that the world can rely on a safe, affordable, and more sustainable food supply to feed a growing population, as well as developing biobased fuels, chemicals, and other industrial products to help us address climate change.

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and Council of State Bioscience Associations recently released Driving the Bioscience Economy Forward During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Best Practices in State and Regional Bioscience Economic Development Initiatives. The biennial report provides a summary of state programs serving the bioscience industry.

This year’s report devotes substantial attention to incentives. Many of the incentive policies are intended to support the leading trends in state bioscience support (see below). These include incentives to provide funding for companies coming out of university partnerships, industry workforce training and development, and facility development. Others are intended to provide capital to bioscience companies at the early-stage, mid-stage, and manufacturing stage of development, such as angel investor and seed capital tax credits, R&D and innovation investment tax incentives, and tax exemptions, abatements or discounts.   

Image: https://smartincentives.org

FREDERICK, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Maryland Tech Council is proud to announce the finalists for its annual Industry Awards Celebration. The event honors individuals and companies in the life sciences, technology, and government contracting industries that have made a significant impact in their respective fields. For the first time in two years, the awards ceremony will be held in person, with the winners announced live on May 12th at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Last year over 9,000 people tuned in to the virtual Industry Awards Celebration. Click here to learn more about the event. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• As new markets are embracing the Life Science industry, why are users feeling bullish in investing and developing in the Mid-Atlantic area? How is our region competing with different markets? 
• Strategic Design & Development: How are investors and developers meeting the latest demands when it comes to design and amenities? What is being implemented to ensure purpose-built life science facilities? 
• How are developers and tenants finding more space as demand for facilities continues to rise? Are we seeing more vacant buildings being converted into labs and other biotech facilities to meet the high demand? 
• With the rise in market opportunity, where is the public and private funding coming from for life science real estate? 
• I-270 Corridor Update: What are the newest projects and investments in the development pipeline? What is expected for this life science & biotech corridor in terms of tenants, investments and development in 2022? How are DC & NoVa competing against this corridor and securing their spot in the asset class?

BALTIMORE, March 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — GlycoMantra, a University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) startup company developing therapeutics for unmet medical needs in prostate cancer, NASH liver fibrosis, and type 2 diabetes, has been granted worldwide, exclusive rights to a UMB technology to advance the company’s pipeline of therapeutics for treating drug-resistant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

According to the American Society of Cancer Oncology, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the U.S., totaling about 53,000 deaths per year. Drug resistance to CRC is a primary challenge and mCRC remains a lethal disease. Although 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)—one of the current standards of care for patients with mCRC—exerts clinical benefit, all patients have acquired resistance to the drug over time.

“I never had been in an ecosystem that had more potential, more assets, that was more disconnected, than this region was at that time.” -Rich Bendis of BioHealth Innovation, Inc. on why Maryland was a great place to grow the BioHealth Capital Region.

Watch: https://bit.ly/3trKMYm