BioHealth Innovation Weekly for August 20, 2024

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August 20, 2024

Bringing the BioHealth Capital Region to South Africa: A Conversation with Global Innovators on BioTalk

In this special episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis, President and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, Inc., hosts a compelling discussion with three groundbreaking guests from South Africa: Johann de Bruyn, CEO of TASK, Ethan Hunter, Chief Operations Officer at Immobazyme, and Dr. Carla Eksteen, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Stellenbosch University. Together, they share their journey of connecting South Africa's biotech scene with the BioHealth Capital Region, showcasing how innovation transcends borders.

Johann de Bruyn opens the conversation by introducing TASK Applied Science and its collaborative relationship with the U.S. He explains the genesis of Bio Centrifuge Africa, a business plan competition inspired by the BioHealth Capital Region's Crab Trap, designed to bridge the gap between South Africa’s emerging biotech sector and the established BHCR.

Ethan Hunter, co-founder of Immobazyme, discusses his company’s pioneering work in precision fermentation and the growing impact it has across various industries. He reflects on the significance of winning Bio Centrifuge Africa and the exciting opportunity to compete in the 9th Annual Crab Trap in Maryland this September.

Dr. Carla Eksteen shares her research journey in cancer immunotherapy and the vital role her work plays in advancing healthcare in South Africa. She talks about the opportunities provided by Bio Centrifuge Africa and her upcoming trip to Maryland as part of the competition winners.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform:

Apple: https://apple.co/3SUCMwz
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3XbF9wv
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3Mbzph1
TuneIn: https://bit.ly/3MbzqBB

Two Weeks Left! Apply for the 9th Annual Crab Trap Competition Before August 30th

There are just two weeks left to apply for this year’s Crab Trap Competition, held of September 18^th, 2024, during BioHealth Capital Region Week at USP in Rockville, Maryland. This event offers startups in the biohealth sector a chance to present their companies and innovative solutions to an expert panel of industry leaders.

Pitch Your Innovation: Finalists will pitch during day 2 of the BioHealth Capital Region Forum, gaining valuable exposure by presenting their business models and technologies to industry professionals. This is an excellent opportunity to receive direct feedback and engage with potential investors.

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.

AURP's BIO Health Caucus Sponsors 10th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum

AURP and its BIO Health Caucus have sponsored the 10th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum (Sept 17-18) at US Pharmacopeia in Rockville, MD.

Serving on the Forum planning committee are: Amy Adams, Executive Director of George Mason University’s Institute for Biohealth Innovation; Kolaleh Eskandanian, Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Children’s National Hospital; and Brian Darmody, AURP Chief Strategy Officer.

The BioHealth Capital Region Forum gathers together the DC/MD/VA region’s biopharma sector, to highlight the region’s capabilities and achievements with insights into future trends. With over 2,300 life science companies, 78 federal labs, and numerous esteemed academic institutions, the BioHealth Capital Region stands as a vibrant hub of innovation and opportunity. Learn more.

Women In Bio (WIB) Excited to Participate in the 10th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum

The 7th Annual Investment Conference, scheduled for September 19th during the BioHealth Capital Region Week at US Pharmacopeia in Rockville, MD, offers a unique platform for companies and investors. Attendees will have the opportunity to create detailed profiles and schedule face-to-face meetings throughout the day to discuss potential collaborations and funding. Simultaneously, the auditorium will feature a series of quick pitches, providing selected companies and some investors with 7 minutes each to introduce themselves and present their ideas in front of an audience of peers and potential partners.

Why Investors Should Attend

For investors, this conference is an indispensable opportunity to access a curated selection of startups with groundbreaking ideas poised for investment. It offers a chance to engage directly with founders, understand their business models, and evaluate their potential in person. Investors can gain early insights into emerging technologies and trends, potentially leading to profitable investment opportunities and partnerships. Register Now.

Why Companies Should Attend

For companies, the Investment Conference is a vital avenue to meet face-to-face with leading investors actively looking to fund innovative projects and businesses. It provides a platform not only for potential funding but also for valuable feedback and advice on scaling their operations. The quick-pitch sessions offer companies a chance to capture attention, showcase their innovations, and articulate their vision to a room full of potential backers. Register Now.

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces $150 Million from ARPA-H to Deliver Progress on Biden Cancer Moonshot Goals and Improve Health Outcomes

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, US, August 12, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The study, “Advanced Prediction of Respiratory Depression Episodes with the Linshom Continuous Predictive Respiratory Sensor”, completed enrollment of 508 patients well ahead of schedule.

“Preliminary analysis of the data shows that Linshom Medical’s sensor detects respiratory depression 12 minutes before current systems employed”, said Richard Urman, MD, MBA, the principal investigator of the study. “This gives health care providers additional time to take action and intervene before a crisis develops”.

TEDCO’s Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII) Announces Recent Investments

$2.1M invested in seven companies to advance innovations from lab to market in Maryland

COLUMBIA, Md. (August 13, 2024) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced a recent round of investments through its Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII), marking a significant milestone in promoting the commercialization of groundbreaking research from Maryland's prestigious academic institutions.

“The latest awards highlight the innovative research in university labs with tremendous commercial potential across multiple industries,” said Abi Kulshreshtha, Ph.D., executive director, MII. “We are excited to continue MII’s role in advancing Maryland’s innovation-driven economic development strategy.”

AstraZeneca's Imfinzi approved in the US for the treatment of resectable non-small cell lung cancer before and after surgery

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.

United Therapeutics to Build Medical Transplant Center in Minnesota

Multi-billion-dollar US-based biotech firm United Therapeutics has announced that it has purchased 32 acres (13 hectares) of land in Minnesota, US, for US$4.5 million to construct what it called a state-of-the-art facility, which will support clinical research on using gene-edited pig organs for human patients with heart and kidney disease.

The facility site, which is located outside of Rochester, Minnesota, in Stewartville, is roughly 14 miles (22.5km) south of the world-renowned non-profit academic and research medical centre the Mayo Clinic. While the programme is not currently working with the Mayo Clinic, United Therapeutics noted the proximity helped inform its selection of the site.

TEDCO Announces Kim Mozingo’s Promotion to Vice President, Federal Programs

COLUMBIA, Md., (August 13, 2024) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, is pleased to announce the promotion of Kim Mozingo to vice president of Federal Programs. In this role, Mozingo will lead a suite of seven programs designed to transform federal scientific research into economic growth and new job opportunities for Maryland's small businesses.

“We are pleased to have such a dedicated individual as Kim on the TEDCO team,” said Stephen Auvil, chief federal engagement officer. “Under her leadership, TEDCO’s federal programs have experienced significant growth. Her management of our SBIR Proposal Lab, DefTech, and other federal programs have supported more than 150 companies. Moreover, she will be launching several new programs in her area over the next six months. This promotion is well deserved and reflects her accomplishments and growing responsibilities.”

Axios:Venture capitalists move toward "pay to play"

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.