Biohealth Innovation - 482nd Edition, November 16, 2021

Biohealth Innovation

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November 16, 2021

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Deka Biosciences Raises USD 20 Million in Series A Financing

GERMANTOWN, Md., Nov. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Maryland-based biotech company Deka Biosciences ("Deka") today announced that it has successfully closed a USD 20 Million Series A financing with a syndicate of life science investors led by Leaps by Bayer, the impact investment arm of Bayer AG, and new investor Lumira Ventures. Additional investors include O-Bio (Echo Investment Capital), Viva BioInnovator, and Alexandria Venture Investments.

Deka Biosciences 2021 Novel cytokine-based therapies have the potential to provide patients with innovative curative treatment options for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and many types of infectious diseases. Understanding the known function of each cytokine, Deka has developed Diakines™ – intentionally engineered therapeutic proteins that are designed to deliver clinically validated cytokines, coupled in combination in the Diakine™ structure, to diseased tissue. Deka has also combined this therapeutic platform with companion diagnostic assays that ensure delivery of each Diakine™ to patients that will benefit the most.

BioTalk Rewind, John Mumm, CEO of Deka BioSciences, Virtually Chats with Rich Bendis on BioTalk

Deka BioSciences CEO, John Mumm, CEO of Deka BioSciences, virtually guests on BioTalk to discuss his history in the BioHealth Capital Region, Precision Medicine, and Funding Strategies.

Listen now via Apple http://apple.co/3aIy6Ew, Google http://bit.ly/3sfEysd, Spotify http://spoti.fi/3aJq8ei, and Tunein http://bit.ly/2Me25ut.

John has spent 24 years researching and developing various technologies associated with IL-10. His work experience included various leadership roles at Anergen, Introgen Therapeutics, Bacterial BarCodes, Schering-Plough, Merck, Targenics, ARMO BioSciences, ACIR BioSciences, and MedImmune/AstraZeneca. John’s primary focus has been on discovery research at the interface between cancer biology and the adaptive immune response. Visit https://www.dekabiosciences.com/ to learn more about them today.

Click here to view the transcript.

Life Sciences Business Strategist - Open Position!

BioHealth Innovation (BHI) is an innovation intermediary that facilitates the commercialization of emerging technologies in the BioHealth Capital Region (Maryland, DC and Virginia).

BHI is seeking a Life Sciences Business Strategist to join its team in Rockville, Maryland. This position provides the opportunity to leverage scientific knowledge to evaluate the commercial potential of emerging technologies and provide recommendations on go-to-market strategies.

This is a customer facing role with a focus on supporting clients in the development of commercial analyses and federal grant proposals.

Click here for more details.

BHI EIR Feedback Day November 17th. Register Now!

Are you a biohealth start-up in Maryland, DC or Virginia seeking feedback on your biohealth business idea, pitch deck, or commercialization plan? Schedule your feedback session with BHI EIRs on one of the following dates. Pre-registration is required; Sign up here tinyurl.com/EIRfeedback

For questions/more information, contact BHI.

Emmes and MedGenome Launch Genomics Strategic Partnership Focused on Advancing Rare Disease Research

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Emmes, a global, full-service Clinical Research Organization (CRO) dedicated to supporting the advancement of public health and biopharmaceutical innovation, today announced a partnership with MedGenome aimed at accelerating breakthrough treatments, powered by human genomics, for rare disease patients.

"This is an exciting opportunity to partner with the leading genetic testing laboratory in India and South Asia to use our collective expertise to help bring faster and more innovative treatments to patients around the world who are suffering from rare diseases and desperately awaiting new therapies," said Emmes Chief Executive Officer Dr. Christine Dingivan.

Making The Impossible Possible: A Conversation With Martine Rothblatt

In this riveting What’s Ahead conversation you’ll hear how Martine Rothblatt, creator of SiriusXM, left the communications field entirely to hunt for a cure for a rare, mortal disease with which her daughter was diagnosed. The pressure was intense, as patients usually died within two to three years of diagnosis. After immense effort—and setbacks—Rothblatt and her team came up with an effective treatment, which saved her daughter and thousands of others.

Maryland's Gain Therapeutics, Inc. Announces Breakthrough Pre-Clinical Data of Novel Small Molecules for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease and Gaucher Disease

Study results demonstrate first small molecule approach to significantly reduce phosphorylated and aggregated -synuclein and increase GCase protein levels with transport to the lysosomes in iPSC dopaminergic neurons

Results presented at Michael J. Fox Foundation's Therapeutic Development Webinar

BETHESDA, Md, Nov. 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gain Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GANX) ("Gain", or the "Company"), a biotechnology company directly addressing the urgent need for effective neurodegenerative therapies, today announced data from the Company's study conducted at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). The study, evaluating two lead Structurally Targeted Allosteric Regulators (STARs) compounds – GT-02287 and GT-02329 – for the treatment of Gaucher and GBA1 Parkinson's Disease, demonstrated highly statistically significant effects on all tested phenotypes representing a key breakthrough in the potential to treat neurodegenerative disorders characterized by misfolded proteins including Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's, Gaucher's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Study results were presented at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research's Innovating from Drug Discover to the Clinic: Novel Approaches to PD Therapeutic Development webinar.

TwinLabs in Rockville Fills Up With Four New Tenants – Commercial Observer

The first phase of TwinLabs, a life sciences complex in Rockville, Md., has been fully pre-leased, with four companies taking the entire 25,000 square feet of space, according to JLL, which is handling leasing for the property.

A joint venture between Bethesda, Md.-based GlenLine Investments and Singerman Real Estate of Chicago is redeveloping two buildings adjacent to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases HQ into Class A lab space, after making major capital improvements. The duo acquired the 74,500-square-foot asset in 2020.

Image: TWINLABS AT 5640 FISHERS LANE. PHOTO: JLL

REGENXBIO Announces Closing of Eye Care Collaboration Agreement with AbbVie

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- REGENXBIO Inc. (Nasdaq: RGNX) today announced the closing of its Collaboration and License Agreement with AbbVie to develop and commercialize RGX-314, a potential one-time gene therapy for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and other chronic retinal diseases. As previously announced on September 13, 2021, under the terms of the agreement, REGENXBIO will receive an upfront payment from AbbVie of $370 million with the potential for REGENXBIO to receive up to $1.38 billion in additional development, regulatory and commercial milestones.

Under the collaboration, REGENXBIO will be responsible for completion of the ongoing trials of RGX-314. AbbVie and REGENXBIO will collaborate and share costs on additional trials of RGX-314, including the planned second pivotal trial evaluating subretinal delivery for the treatment of wet AMD and future trials. AbbVie will lead the clinical development and commercialization of RGX-314 globally. REGENXBIO will participate in U.S. commercialization efforts as provided under a mutually agreed upon commercialization plan.

South Duvall and Sagamore Ventures to Bring Life Science to City Garage

BALTIMORE, Nov. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- South Duvall and Sagamore Ventures have announced a partnership to bring more than 100,000 square feet of biotech laboratory space to City Garage in Port Covington, Baltimore, over the next 10 years, with approximately 75,000 square feet being delivered in the next year, announced Scheer Partners, which brokered the transaction.

"Baltimore is home to many world class institutions, but there's been a true need for space built for research and development," said Matthew Brown, Director of Acquisitions, South Duvall. "City Garage and Port Covington will be the perfect place for the innovative life science community to grow in Baltimore."

935 Prose - The Next Evolution in Innovation.

935 Prose is a 10-story trophy-class, state-of-the-art research/lab building that marries iconic design, and superior lab functionality. It is positioned to recruit and retain the best-and-brightest scientific talent and will set a new standard for life science facilities. Located in the heart of North Bethesda’s nationally-acclaimed, metro-accessible, Pike & Rose mixed-use neighborhood.

Image: From PDF