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The Technology Transfer Society – Washington D.C. Chapter is excited to announce its Fall 2024 course, “Introduction to Technology Transfer and Commercialization,” offered in collaboration with Montgomery College. This hybrid course, available both virtually and in-person, is designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the technology transfer process—transitioning innovations from the lab to the marketplace.

Whether you’re interested in the inner workings of a technology transfer office or looking to commercialize your own invention, this course is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insights. You’ll learn from seasoned professionals, including experts from federal labs, who will share their knowledge and experiences to help you navigate the complexities of technology transfer.

Natasha Sheybani, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Virginia School of Engineering, will collaborate with researchers at Children’s National Hospital to study the combination of two therapies for pediatric brain cancer. 

High-risk brain tumors in children often don’t respond well to existing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but Sheybani and her collaborators hope their fusion of therapies will offer a better option. 

Women In Bio (WIB) will be well-represented at the 10th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum on September 17th and 18th, 2024, at US Pharmacopeia in Rockville, MD. WIB, a national organization dedicated to advancing women’s careers, leadership, and entrepreneurship in the life sciences, will host a table at this annual event as part of its in-kind partnership with BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) and the Forum planning committee. Attendees can learn more about WIB’s mission to empower women across the biohealth sector and explore opportunities to get involved in this dynamic community.

With 13 chapters across the U.S. and Canada, including the Capital Region chapter, WIB’s members include professionals from leading biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device companies, academia, government, and supporting industries like finance and law. WIB provides a robust platform for networking, mentorship, and professional development, fostering diversity and inclusion in life sciences.

This is your last chance to apply for this year’s Crab Trap Competition, taking place on September 18th, 2024, during BioHealth Capital Region Week at USP in Rockville, Maryland. This event is an incredible opportunity for startups in the biohealth sector to pitch their innovative solutions to a panel of esteemed industry leaders.

Pitch Your Innovation: Finalists will present their business models and technologies during day 2 of the BioHealth Capital Region Forum, gaining invaluable exposure and direct feedback from industry professionals. This platform is perfect for engaging with potential investors and accelerating your company’s visibility.

Prizes:

• Cash Awards: Winners will receive $10,000 from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (WSGR) and additional funding from the Montgomery County Government.
• CRO Services: A selected company will also benefit from $10,000 in CRO services from Noble Life Sciences and Accelevir, which can help advance product development.

Additional Opportunities: The winning team will be featured on the BioTalk with Rich Bendis Podcast, further increasing their visibility within the biohealth community.

Based on AEGEAN Phase III trial results which showed Imfinzi-based regimen reduced the risk of recurrence, progression or death by 32% vs. neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone

AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) in combination with chemotherapy has been approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with resectable early-stage (IIA-IIIB) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and no known epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements. In this regimen, patients are treated with Imfinzi in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery and as adjuvant monotherapy after surgery.

Venture capitalists are inserting a record number of “pay to play” provisions into term sheets, according to new data from law firm Cooley.

Why it matters: This is a sharp-elbowed reminder that VCs are facing performance pressure, and that startups are having a tougher time getting funded.

Jargon watch: “Pay to play” provisions also may be known as “cram down” clauses, and basically are designed to benefit new investors at the expense of existing shareholders who don’t want to invest additional capital.

• The critical view is that this is unfair to insiders who took a chance when the company’s prospects were more speculative, but who’ve either lost faith or no longer have money to spend (including early employees or VC funds without adequate reserves).
• The more charitable view is that such rounds are for companies that need money — not those that just want to bolster balance sheets — and that the new investors are vital to the company’s future success. In short: Get on board or get out.

More than two years ago, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden reignited the Cancer Moonshot with the goals of reducing the cancer death rate in the United States by at least half—preventing more than 4 million cancer deaths—by 2047, and improving the experience of people who are touched by cancer. As part of this effort, President Biden and Vice President Harris secured bipartisan Congressional support to establish the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to generate breakthroughs in ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer and other diseases. In its first two years, ARPA-H has invested more than $400 million to fast-track progress on how we prevent, detect, and treat cancer.