BioHealth Capital Region Week 2024 welcomed Immobazyme, a biotech company from Stellenbosch, South Africa, to compete in the 9th Annual Crab Trap Competition. Specializing in precision fermentation products, Immobazyme focuses on developing treatments for diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), with the goal of reducing amputation rates and improving the quality of life for diabetic patients worldwide. Ethan Hunter, Chief Operations Officer of Immobazyme, represented the company and delivered a compelling pitch to the panel of judges.
Before the competition, Immobazyme worked closely with BioHealth Innovation (BHI), whose Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (Jarrod Borkat and Jonothan Kay) and Jon Nelson, Manager of Client Engagement, provided coaching and mentorship to prepare them for their pitch. Their participation in the Crab Trap is just the start of Immobazyme’s interest in expanding their global presence, as they are currently exploring an International Soft-Landing in the BioHealth Capital Region. BHI is committed to supporting Immobazyme’s journey and helping them navigate the ecosystem here in Maryland.
Rich Bendis, President and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, shared his excitement about Immobazyme’s participation: "It's incredible to see companies like Immobazyme travel across the globe to join us at BioHealth Capital Region Week. Their innovation and passion are clear, and we look forward to supporting their potential International Soft-Landing here in the region. We’re also grateful to Johann de Bruyn, CEO of TASK, whose leadership has been instrumental in fostering stronger biohealth connections between South Africa and our region."
TASK’s CEO, Johann de Bruyn, has been a key figure in building a bridge between South Africa’s biohealth ecosystem and the BioHealth Capital Region, ensuring that companies like Immobazyme have access to resources and opportunities on an international scale. After attending the 8th Annual Crab Trap Competition and Forum in person in 2023, Johann returned to South Africa inspired. He created their own “Bio Centrifuge Africa” pitch competition, and a prize for the winner was to return with him in 2024 to the BioHealth Capital Region Forum to compete in the Crab Trap. Also, BHI President and CEO, Rich Bendis, was a judge in their competition.
Immobazyme’s journey is just the beginning of what could be a successful entry into the U.S. market, with BHI continuing to offer support as they explore future growth in the BioHealth Capital Region.