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The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has announced the launch of the SPARK Hub Prize Challenge, offering up to $50,000 in funding to innovators working on medical countermeasures (MCMs) designed specifically for children. The challenge supports technologies and products that enhance health security for pediatric populations and is open for submissions until December 16, 2024. https://www.mcm4kids.org/funding/

About BARDA and the Challenge
BARDA plays a pivotal role in safeguarding public health by advancing the development of MCMs for various health security threats, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) hazards, pandemic influenza, and emerging infectious diseases. The SPARK Hub Prize Challenge is an extension of this mission, focusing on solutions tailored to pediatric needs. BARDA’s aim is to ensure that medical countermeasures are accessible to all segments of the population, including children, who have unique requirements during public health emergencies.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TearSolutions, Inc., a privately held biotech company developing potentially disruptive therapies for the treatment of ocular surface related diseases, today announced the successful closure of a $3M Series B round designed to accelerate its development programs for rare corneal diseases at both pre-clinical and clinical stages.

POTOMAC, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Versant Ventures today announced the debut of Pep2Tango Therapeutics Inc., a startup focused on innovative, next-generation weight loss therapies. Proceeds from the significant, undisclosed round will support development of the company’s novel unimolecular tetra-receptor agonist peptides to treat obesity and related conditions.

There are several keys to successful entrepreneurship—a great idea that solves a unique problem, the willingness to take risks, leadership skills, networking, and, of course, capital. The last element listed can be especially challenging for those without significant savings, investment from wealthy family members, or generational wealth, says Graham Dodge, vice president, Venture Development at TEDCO, (Maryland Technology Development Corporation), an independent instrumentality of the State of Maryland to facilitate the creation of businesses and support their growth in all regions of the State.

REHOVOT, Israel and WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Biolojic Design, a biotechnology company that uses computational biology and artificial intelligence (AI) to transform antibodies into programmable, intelligent medicines, today announced that it is joining the Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS (JLABS) site in Washington, D.C. As part of JLABS @ Washington, DC, Biolojic Design will be able to access lab space, resources and collaboration opportunities as the company establishes a presence in the United States.

By BHI EIR Anna Zornosa – On October 24th, Arpa-H announced the 23 winners of its “Sprint for Women’s Health” initiative. I’ve had a chance now to read the announcement carefully and assess the impact. Having done so, I can share that I’m impressed, grateful, and certain that decades from now we’ll look back on the Biden Administration’s accomplishments and count progress on #womenshealth as chief among them.

But the question of whether the $110 M in grants awarded last month will make an impact won’t take that long to determine. The unique thing about the ARPA-H mission and methodology is that it allows for some big bets with short time-lines. Awards were divided into two tracks: “Sparkplug” projects representing high potential research with grants of about $3 M; and “Launchpad” projects where initiatives already at or near prototype get  $10 M in funding to take a product to market. And the expectation is that Launchpad efforts, if successful, will be launched in two years.