BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives Archives - Page 26 of 65

Oct 12 2020

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427th Edition, October 13, 2020

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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October 12, 2020

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

MCEDC President and CEO Benjamin Wu joins BioTalk to discuss all things Montgomery County, Economic Development, and the BioHealth Industry

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) President and CEO Benjamin Wu Chats with Rich Bendis on BioTalk.

Listen now Apple https://apple.co/2SJB2a5, Google https://bit.ly/2SMLbmd, Spotify https://spoti.fi/34SWcrI, https://bit.ly/2SMde5j, and YouTube Audio https://bit.ly/2GSHXeu

As the President and Chief Executive Officer of MCEDC, Ben Wu leads the public-private economic development of Maryland’s largest jurisdiction which comprises 25% of the state’s economy with a GDP greater than 13 states. A Montgomery County native, Ben is an accomplished executive with over three decades of professional experience leading operations at the highest levels of our nation and state.

6th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum (Oct 19th, 2020) (REGISTER NOW!)

Join fellow biotech leaders and is presented by the Association of University Research Parks, AstraZeneca, BioHealth Innovation, Children’s National Health System, Emergent BioSolutions, George Mason University, J.P. Morgan, Johns Hopkins University, Maryland Department of Commerce, Virginia Bio, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.

Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC set the bar high for biotech innovation. So please join us for our 6th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum that will highlight the accomplishments of today and chart our successes of tomorrow.

We are excited to bring you an exceptional line up of more than 55 BioHealth Capital Region industry leaders to this virtual event!

Life Sciences Go Viral in Maryland

When Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan visited Novavax recently, President and CEO Stanley C. Erck shared some welcome news for the governor publicly: Novavax had more than doubled its workforce so far this year, adding 116 people to the 100 that it employed at the start of 2020.

“The plan is to double that again, to add another 200 in the coming six months just in the U.S.,” Erck said, part of an expansion plan by Novavax to grow its workforce to 1,000 people worldwide. Novavax recently expanded into a third building at its Gaithersburg, MD, headquarters, and is also in talks for an additional 200,000 square feet of lab space locally.

Image: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (2d from left) chats with Gale Smith, PhD, Novavax Discovery and Preclinical Research and Chief Scientist, during a tour of the company’s Gaithersburg, MD, facilities. (Office of Governor Larry Hogan)

First Patient Dosed in NexImmune Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of NEXI-002 in Multiple Myeloma

GAITHERSBURG, MD — October 6, 2020 – NexImmune, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a portfolio of unique non-genetically-engineered T cell immunotherapies, announced today that it has dosed the first patient in its Phase 1/2 clinical trial for NEXI-002. NEXI-002 is a patient-derived cellular product that contains populations of naturally-occurring CD8+ T cells directed against several multiple myeloma (MM)-specific antigen targets. It is the second clinical product NexImmune has generated with its AIM nanoparticle technology.

“While the primary objective in this trial with NEXI-002 is to demonstrate safety and tolerability, we also hope to see initial signs of immunological and clinical activity,” said Han Myint, MD, Chief Medical Officer at NexImmune. “The AIM technology gives us the unique ability to direct populations of natural T cells against a powerful combination of cell surface and endogenous anti-tumor targets specific to multiple myeloma. We believe this approach has potential to address primary tumor escape mechanisms, and provide deep and durable clinical responses.”

FDA Grants GlycoMimetics Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for Rivipansel for Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease – BioHealth Capital Region

ROCKVILLE, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 5, 2020– GlycoMimetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GLYC) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the Company a Rare Pediatric Disease designation for rivipansel for the treatment of sickle cell disease in patients 18 years old and younger. This designation recognizes the significant needs in pediatric patients.

“The FDA’s designation recognizes the morbidity and mortality burdens of sickle cell disease as well as its significant impact during childhood with life-long implications. With this designation, the agency acknowledges the urgent need for improved treatment of children living with sickle cell disease,” stated Helen Thackray, Chief Medical Officer of GlycoMimetics.

Pipeline – Immunomic Therapeutics

Our allergy assets remain an underpinning of Immunomic Therapeutics’ success, and have enabled our pivot to focus on oncology.

In addition to our canine atopic dermatitis vaccine concept, our vaccines using ITI’s lysosomal targeting technology have already been tested in several clinical studies in both allergy and oncology.

Baltimore venture capital firm Catalio Capital Management closes $100M fund – Baltimore Business Journal

Catalio’s portfolio includes many notable local biotech companies, including Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc. and Thrive Earlier Detection Corp.

Image: George Petrocheilos (right) and R. Jacob Vogelstein are the managing partners of venture investment fund Catalio Capital Management LP. MARK DENNIS – https://www.bizjournals.com

Qiagen to Complement COVID-19 Testing Portfolio with Novel Kit That Simplifies and Accelerates PCR Analysis for Research – COVID-19 – Hospimedica.com

QIAGEN N.V. (Venlo, Netherlands) plans to launch a novel straightforward approach to viral RNA epidemiology that will significantly simplify and accelerate PCR analysis and remove key testing bottlenecks for SARS-CoV-2 and other RNA viruses.

QIAGEN’s innovative QIAprep& Viral RNA UM Kit combines a liquid-based sample preparation step completed in only two minutes with real-time PCR detection in a streamlined workflow that can be automated with standard lab equipment for any throughput, any assay and any reaction need from single to multiplex testing. The kit, which uses the most common transport media such as Universal Transport Media (UTMTM) as the starting material, includes both sample extraction components and optimized PCR reagents for only one procedure.

Image: QIAprep& Viral RNA UM Kit (Photo courtesy of QIAGEN N.V.)

How This Med Tech Startup Pivoted to Fight the Pandemic

Across the world in 2019, UNICEF reports that over 2.4 million infants died in their first month of life, the vast majority in the developing world.

The situation in sub-Saharan Africa is particularly dire: an infant born in that region is 10 times more likely to die during its first month of life than a child born in a high-income country. Most of these deaths are preventable.

It was statistics like these that inspired biomedical engineers Sona Shah and Teresa Cauvel to found Neopenda in 2015.

Neopenda, a Cisco social entrepreneurship prize winner, is a social enterprise that develops innovative technologies for health systems in underserved populations.

Children’s National Hospital earns 2020 CHIME Digital Health Most Wired recognition | Children’s National Hospital

Children’s National Hospital has received 2020 Digital Health Most Wired recognition by The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) as a certified level eight. The CHIME Digital Health Most Wired program conducts an annual survey to assess how effectively health care organizations apply core and advanced technologies into their clinical and business programs to improve health and care in their communities.

“Children’s National is honored to receive the Most Wired recognition for our inpatient and ambulatory venues,” said Matt MacVey, vice president and chief information officer at Children’s National. “We have made substantial investments in technology in support of our mission to provide a high-quality experience and optimal health outcomes for children regionally, nationally and internationally.”

The unsung mapmakers | Hub

In the early days of managing the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 dashboard, experts at the university and those at Esri, the company providing the mapping software for the real-time pandemic tracker, had a friendly rivalry.

“They would tell us, ‘Oh, your COVID map is big, but not as big as our Pokémon Go map,’ which was their most in demand,” says Reina Murray, an application administrator at JHU’s Sheridan Libraries.

By March, the volume of web traffic to the Hopkins map effectively shut down that conversation—the Hopkins dashboard now holds the record as Esri’s highest-used service of all time, drawing hundreds of millions of feature requests every day. At a peak in March, the dashboard saw 4.56 billion feature requests.

Image: https://hub.jhu.edu/

This Maryland program will pair cyber researchers and entrepreneurial grad students to form startups – Technical.ly Baltimore

Maryland universities are home to lots of cyber researchers and technologists working on new ways to secure our increasingly technology-reliant society. Those higher education institutions are also home to graduate students looking for an entrepreneurial leap.

A new program is looking to connect the two, and form new startups in the process.

The Maryland New Venture Fellowship for Cybersecurity, created by University of Maryland, Baltimore County incubator bwtech@UMBC and the University System of Maryland, is launching this fall to support 10 early-stage teams. The program was recently awarded $594,000 in federal funds from the Economic Development Administration of the United States Department of Commerce. With matching funds from Baltimore County, the total funding reaches about $1.3 million.

Image: Welcome to bwtech@UMBC. – Courtesy Photo

Propelling TRADE AND INNOVATION BETWEEN QUÉBEC AND MARYLAND in life sciences and public health (October 15, 2020 – 2:30 p.m.)

You are invited to continue strengthening the Québec-Maryland collaboration!

Objectives of this webinar

Highlight the signing of the cooperation agreement between Québec and Maryland in the field of life sciences and public health and launch the work of the advisory committee.
Share the government’s vision for life sciences and public health, particularly in the context of a health emergency.
Create links, strengthen cooperation and mutually inspire each other with the most innovative expertise and initiatives aimed at establishing joint alliances in a sector of excellence.

Introductory remarks

Québec Delegate General in New York, Catherine Loubier

Schedule

The importance of the life sciences sector for Québec and the State of Maryland

Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, and Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration, Nadine Girault

Secretary of Commerce for the State of Maryland, Kelly Schulz

Québec-Maryland collaboration agreement in life sciences and public health

Montréal’s life sciences ecosystem

CEO of Montréal In Vivo, Frank Béraud

Québec City’s life sciences ecosystem

CEO of Québec International, Carl Viel

Maryland’s life sciences and public health ecosystem

Director of BioHealth and Life Sciences, Maryland Department of Commerce, Ulyana Desiderio

Q&A with the panelists

Register here

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ozdJpKpXSMC9n0Esrqo-rA

Covid-19 drives historic demand for life sciences real estate

All the fundamentals are aligning for the life sciences industry, as Covid-19 accelerates already growing demand for real estate in the sector.

Rents are rising for lab space, vacancies are plunging and research and development, and employment and new development are expanding further, thanks to strong venture capital investment.

In the top life sciences markets there’s currently about 13.9 million square feet of space under construction, but active tenant demand is outpacing that, running at about 14.7 million square feet, according to a new report from CBRE. Lab-space vacancy is historically low at less than 8% percent in most top life sciences markets, pushing rents higher.

Amytrx Enrolling Clinical Trial of AMTX-100 in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

08 October 2020

Germantown, MD, USA (October 08, 2020) – Amarex Clinical Research, LLC, an NSF International company client, Amytrx Therapeutics (“Amytrx”), recently initiated clinical testing of their anti-inflammatory therapeutic product AMTX-100 for dermatological diseases and conditions with the enrollment of patients in a first-in-man Phase 1/2b study for treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. Amarex wrote and submitted the IND application for Amytrx and is now managing the clinical trial.

Preclinical safety studies in the IND cover several other inflammatory skin conditions including psoriasis, rosacea, acne, herpes type 1 and 2, and shingles.

VIRTUAL INVESTORS’ CONFERENCE ON BIOHEALTH (November 18, 2020)

IMN’s Virtual Investors’ Conference on BioHealth, taking place November 18, will provide a platform to understand the intersection of securitization across the biotech and healthcare sector, helping educate investors, borrowers and industry participants on the hottest new asset class in equity capital markets. This one-day virtual conference will focus on both on European and U.S. opportunities and challenges, as regulatory challenges will be forefront on both sides of the globe.

BioHealth issuance in 2020 has now surpassed $60 billion globally, spurring this asset class to become the second most popular equity capital markets sector, with momentum driven by huge secondary moves and companies benefitting from a greater focus on healthcare investing that Covid-19 has generated.

Join this must-attend gathering to engage with hedge funds, institutional investors, and more, to discover exciting new investment opportunities as this sector expands to comply with policy, market demand and changing consumer needs.

Oct 06 2020

Love0

426th Edition, October 6, 2020

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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October 6, 2020

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

Jeff Galvin, CEO and Founder of American Gene Technologies (AGT), Returns to BioTalk with Rich Bendis

American Gene Technologies International Inc. (AGT) CEO and Founder, Jeff Galvin returns to update us of their Phase 1 Clinical Trial of their lead #HIV Program, their expansion in a new facility, and what’s next!

Listen now on Apple https://apple.co/2Gi2GIF, Google https://bit.ly/2GizVvu, Spotify https://spoti.fi/2GxROGd, and TuneIn https://bit.ly/3l9HK56.

BHCR takes 4th Place out of 29 teams at its first time at the FRAXA Biotech Games

The BioHealth Capital Region was represented for the first time at the FRAXA Biotech Games and took home FOURTH PLACE! This national competition is hosted annually by the FRAXA Research Foundation to raise funds and awareness for Fragile X research. Fragile X is the most common inherited cause of autism and intellectual disabilities. The BioHealth Capital Region was represented by BioHealth Innovation team members Ashwin Kulkarni, Rini Pek, Salman Hasan, and Delphine Lissa. BHI’s CEO Rich Bendis proudly stated “The BioHealth Capital Region cluster ranks 4th in Genetic Engineering News and now in the FRAXA games thanks to our crack team of analysts. Going forward, we’re looking to move up in both ranking!.”

6th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum (Oct 19th, 2020) (REGISTER NOW!)

We are excited to bring you an exceptional line up of speakers to this virtual event!

BioHealth Capital Region Investor Forum (Virtual on October 20th and 21st.)

The BioHealth Capital Region Investor Forum is going Virtual on October 20th and 21st. Contact BHI at BHI@BioHealthInnovation.org to apply to be a Company or Investor at this invite-only event.

SBIR Virtual Office Hours

Are you and early stage company with innovative biohealth technology? Have you considered non-dilutive funding to advance your technology? Learn more about whether or not federal or state non-dilutive funding makes sense for you. Discuss potential strategies for success. Sign up for a free 1:1 advice and feedback regarding non-dilutive funding strategy and applications with BHI staff who have helped companies secured SBIR, STTR and other awards—at twice the national average win rate. This program is open to anyone, though scheduling priority is given to Montgomery County companies, courtesy support from MCEDC.

Click here to schedule a time.

Aziyo Biologics sets IPO terms, taps new execs and board members – Washington Business Journal

The Silver Spring company first filed in mid-September to trade on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

Timing ‘couldn’t be better’ for scaling Innara Health’s solution for preemies, CEO says

One of Kansas City’s most under the radar startups is scaling up amid COVID-19 — thanks in part to a share of $250 thousand in non-dilutive funding from a Los Angeles-based accelerator and FDA sponsored pediatric device consortia.

“When COVID hit, one of the things I took from that was, ‘When you’re not selling, your process better be impeccable,’” said Chris Mathia, CEO of Innara Health, the healthtech startup behind the NTrainer — the only FDA approved solution for improving oral coordination in premature babies.

Image: Chris Mathia, Innara Health

Prestigious national pediatric medical device competition announces six winners to share in $250K NCC-PDI grant funding

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The National Capital Consortium for Pediatric Device Innovation (NCC-PDI) announces six awardees chosen in its annual “Make Your Medical Device Pitch for Kids!” competition to share in $250,000 in grants funded by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to support the advancement of pediatric medical devices. The competition, powered by NCC-PDI partner MedTech Innovator, focused on cardiovascular, NICU, and orthopaedic and spine devices, which are areas of critical need where innovation can significantly improve children’s healthcare. The virtual event aired today as part of the 8th Annual Pediatric Device Innovation Symposium presented by Children’s National Hospital in conjunction with The MedTech Conference, powered by AdvaMed.

Vaccine Work Boosts Montgomery County Life Sciences Demand, Outpacing Available Space

The vaccine-related activity is creating more demand for lab space in an already tight market, further reducing vacancy rates and driving up rents. This dynamic is leading developers to consider breaking ground on spec and converting vacant office buildings to lab space, multiple experts said Thursday on Bisnow’s Life Science Surge webinar.

Image: Courtesy of HFF The GSK Global Vaccine Center in Rockville

10 International Vaccine Influencers Who Exemplify Maryland’s Leading Role in Public Health · BioBuzz

The state of Maryland is the global epicenter of vaccine research and development. This has never been more evident than right now as scores of Maryland companies have risen to the global challenge of developing the first approved vaccine for SARS-CoV-2.

We’ve written extensively about the region’s push to develop a viable, effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine. Companies like Novavax, Emergent BioSolutions and Altimmune are on the leading edge with some of the most promising COVID-19 Vaccine candidates progressing through clinicals. While Maryland as a global vaccine R&D juggernaut might be news to those outside of the region, Maryland’s life science ecosystem has been a leading vaccine R&D hub for years.

Image: https://biobuzz-io.cdn.ampproject.org

5 Questions with Amy Adams, Executive Director of the Institute for Biohealth Innovation at George Mason University · BioBuzz

“5 Questions With…” is a weekly BioBuzz series where we reach out to interesting people in the BioHealth Capital Region to share a little about themselves, their work, and maybe something completely unrelated. This edition features 5 Questions with Amy Adams, Executive Director of the Institute for Biohealth Innovation at George Mason University.

As Executive Director of the Institute for Biohealth Innovation at George Mason University, Amy Adams is responsible for nurturing and advancing biohealth research and innovation interests of more than 250 faculty and thousands of students who represent a broad range of academic disciplines. Her role includes fostering partnerships with industry, healthcare, government, and academic partners.

Shape Theranostics Releases Initial Data Showing Potentially More Effective Method to ID and Inactivate COVID-19

Drug- and vaccine-based methods of attacking the SARS-CoV-2 virus rely on chemical properties to identify the virus (for example surface antigens). These chemical properties can change when the virus mutates, rendering those therapies ineffective. An alternative method for identifying the virus would be to use the physical properties (size, shape, rigidity) of the viral capsule (capsid). These capsid properties make the virus easy to recognize with a microscope. Without an intact capsid, the virus cannot survive in the body. Shape Theranostics is trying to use microscopic iron devices that will take advantage of the unique physical properties of the viral capsid to identify and inactivate the virus.

In a newly published work supported by the U.S. National Institute for Aging, Shape Theranostics scientists (working with investigators at Georgetown University) showed that the micro-devices can change MRI signals in a way that depends on viral load. These signals enabled quantitative measurement of the SARS-CoV-2 in physiological solutions. The amount of iron in these investigational products would be less than for off-the-shelf oral iron supplements. Initial preclinical studies demonstrated no toxicity from the micro-devices. The publication (IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology) can be downloaded from www.ShapeTheranostics.com.

NIST Announces New Round of SBIR Efforts; Mojdeh Bahar Quoted – Executive Gov

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has selected 19 small businesses to develop new technologies through grants totaling over $4.4 million in value. The awardees will address various technology needs under phases one and two of the agency’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, NIST said Thursday.

NCATS Awards Palantir Technologies Inc. $36M Contract to Support its Secure Scientific Platforms Environment | Business Wire

DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR) announced today that it was awarded a $36m one-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) for enterprise data integration and data management to support the NCATS Secure Scientific Platforms Environment.

Palantir’s Foundry software will be provided in various configurations to the NCATS Secure Scientific Platforms Environment, which supports several critical health missions through the integration, management, security, and analysis of any kind of scientific data, and provides controlled access to internal and external collaborators.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. Achieves the First-Ever Fitwel Viral Response Certification With Distinction and Announces Strategic Partnership With Fitwel to Elevate Health, Wellness and Safety in Laboratory Buildings

PASADENA, Calif., Oct. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), an urban office REIT and the first, longest-tenured and pioneering owner, operator and developer uniquely focused on collaborative life science, technology and agtech campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, today announced that it has been recognized by the Center for Active Design (CfAD), the operator of Fitwel®, as the first-ever company to achieve a Fitwel Viral Response Certification with Distinction, the highest certification level within the Fitwel Viral Response module. Alexandria’s comprehensive and industry-leading COVID-19 prevention guidelines and practices, which expand upon its existing rigorous health and safety standards for its tenants, employees, visitors, service providers and key industry stakeholders, contributed to this highly impactful and tremendous accomplishment.

Johns Hopkins receives grant to study COVID-19, transgender persons | State | heraldmailmedia.com

BALTIMORE — Johns Hopkins University is getting a $1.44 million federal grant to study potential COVID-19 testing gaps and disparities for transgender persons.

The grant is from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The COVID, transgender research funding was announced by U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and U.S. Reps. Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume. They are all Maryland Democrats.

USM Maryland Momentum Fund invests $300,000 in N5 Sensors – USM

Baltimore, Md. (Sept. 30, 2020)—The Maryland Momentum Fund has invested $300,000 in Rockville-based N5 Sensors Inc., a company developing smart, microscale, wearable sensors to detect gas, chemicals and additional environmental conditions for a variety of applications, fund officials announced today.

The investment completes a financing round of more than $1 million for the company and includes funding from Blu Venture Investors.

Family Ties Run Deep at These Five Life Science Companies · BioBuzz

Whether it’s “Mom and Pop” retail storefronts, family-run services companies or life science companies developing innovative, life saving products, family owned-and-operated businesses are the lifeblood of the global economy.

According to Cornell University’s SC Johnson School of Business, “There are 5.5 million family businesses in the US. (FEUSA, 2011) Family-owned businesses contribute 57% of the U.S. GDP (that’s $8.3 trillion), employ 63% of the workforce (FEUSA, 2011), and are responsible for 78% of all new job creation. (Astrachan & Shanker, 2003) 35% of Fortune 500 companies are family-controlled. (Businessweek.com, 2006).”

MD BioManufacturing Companies Appy Now to Receive Up to $20K in Engineering Services

Marylad biomanufacturing companies can receive up to $20,000 in free energy engineering services, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of dollars a result while increasing productivity and workplace safety and comfort. These services are provided thru a grant program managed by the Maryland Regional Manufacturing Institute’s (RMI) Energy Edge Program. Companies should email Stacey@RMIofMaryland.com for an application and more information.

Nurse Innovators: Submit ideas to improve COVID-19 patient care

The power of nurse-led innovation and know-how is more critical than ever when developing potential solutions amid a global crisis. With extensive patient experience, nurses’ ideas have the potential to profoundly improve human health.

Time is running out for nurses to submit ideas that aim to profoundly transform COVID-19 patient care in the Johnson & Johnson Nurses Innovate QuickFire Challenge: COVID-19 Patient Care in partnership with the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) and the Society of Nurse Scientists, Innovators, Entrepreneurs, & Leaders (SONSIEL).

Hopkins introduces SMILE, a new platform for finding remote and in-person jobs and internships | Hub

Johns Hopkins has consolidated the university’s job and internship postings onto a single website, SMILE, a new platform for finding remote and in-person experiential learning opportunities across all JHU divisions.

All positions posted on SMILE are non-credit bearing, compensated via JHU payroll, and part time. Students will continue to use the existing Handshake platform for off-campus internships and full-time positions.

Post-Doc in Systems Immunology and/or Bioinformatics

Charlottesville-based AMPEL BioSolutions currently has an opening in its rigorous two-year postdoctoral program that trains PhD to be competitive applicants for Scientist positions in Pharma/Biotech, the NIH and universities. PostDoc positions are located in: Systems Immunology, Bioinformatics, Machine Learning or a combination of these fields. Publication and grant writing are essential components of the training period. AMPEL has a hybrid environment of remote and in-office personnel. High-caliber work suitable for presentation at scientific meetings and/or publication in the peer-reviewed literature is expected. Successful applicants will possess excellent organizational skills, the ability to think critically, prowess in written and oral communication, and the initiative to work proactively in a collaborative environment. The company has successfully implemented this program during the past few years with several postdocs successfully gaining industry and publication experience. Please send your send CV, 3 references, research interests & relevant skills/experience to the COO at AMPEL.

Visit the Ample Biosolutions Website.

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Oct 01 2020

Love0

425th Edition, September 29, 2020

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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September 29, 2020

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

6th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum (Oct 19th, 2020) (REGISTER NOW!) (2)

This invitation-only event is free for executive level biotech leaders and is presented by the Association of University Research Parks, AstraZeneca, BioHealth Innovation, Children’s National Health System, Emergent BioSolutions, George Mason University, J.P. Morgan, Johns Hopkins University, Maryland Department of Commerce, Virginia Bio, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.

We are excited to bring you an exceptional line up of speakers to this virtual event!

*Please note that attendees’ name might be recorded if participating in the chat function during the event.

Novavax Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer and Chief Financial Officer, John Trizzino, Guests on BioTalk with Rich Bendis

John Trizzino, Novavax Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer and Chief Financial Officer Joins BioTalk to Discuss the Company’s History, COVID-19 Vaccine Development, and Collaboration in the BioHealth Capital Region

Listen now on Apple https://apple.co/2EJ4ucS, Google https://bit.ly/36eBQLS, Spotify, https://spoti.fi/2HDE9hr, TuneIn https://bit.ly/3kS20Z1, and Youtube (audio) https://bit.ly/3kYlHyb.

3rd Annual BioHealth Capital Region Investor Forum (Oct 20-21st, 2020)

The BioHealth Capital Region Investor Forum is going Virtual on October 20th and 21st. To apply as an investor seeking biohealth opportunities, or as a biohealth company seeking to have your opportunity reviewed by investors, email BHI@BioHealthInnovation.org with Investment Conference in the subject line.

International Biomedical Research Alliance Award sponsored by BioHealth Innovation

First awarded in 2016, the International Biomedical Research Alliance’s Innovation Award recognizes novel solutions in biology or medicine and acknowledges discoveries of unusual importance, application, or magnitude that make use of new or unusual methods, paradigms, or approaches to solve important problems in biology or medicine. This year, the Innovation Award was graciously sponsored by BioHealth Innovation Inc. and presented to Michael Metrick. A graduate of James Madison University, Michael is working toward completion of his PhD in the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program. The Scholars Program is a novel, dual-mentored, and international collaboration between the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland and the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, respectively, in the United Kingdom. The Scholars Program’s elite students conduct their own biomedical research project in an average completion time of 4.2 years. Michael is in the MD/PhD track and his MD is in progress at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Michael is mentored by Prof. Byron Caughey at the NIH’s National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Hamilton, Montana and Prof. Michele Vendruscolo at the University of Cambridge.

Image: Michael Metrick

Open Innovation CoSolve | AstraZeneca Open Innovation

CoSolve is a new global, virtual, Open Innovation challenge at AstraZeneca, seeking to find new collaborators – those with the boldest innovations and solutions that will help us create the next wave of medicines to help transform patients’ lives.

Dr. Christine Dingivan Joins Emmes as President and CEO | BioSpace

ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Emmes today announced that Dr. Christine Dingivan has joined the company as its new president and chief executive officer. She is succeeding Dr. Anne Lindblad, who is retiring after 38 years at the company. Dr. Dingivan will be Emmes’ fourth chief executive since the company was founded in 1977.

Image: https://www.biospace.com

Anne Khademian on new role at the Universities at Shady Grove – Washington Business Journal

Her entrance comes just as Montgomery County leaders are examining what role USG can play in bringing in more business.

Image: Anne Khademian starts as the executive director of the Universities at Shady Grove in October. THE UNIVERSITIES AT SHADY GROVE

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND TOPS THE STATE IN 2020 INC. MAGAZINE’S ANNUAL RANKING OF 5000 NATION’S FASTEST-GROWING COMPANIES

ROCKVILLE, Md. — A broad range of 49 Montgomery County, Maryland companies made the list in this year’s annual Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing privately-owned companies in the United States. The recognized companies span industries that include software, IT system development, health, biotech, consumer products, advertising & marketing, construction, government services and financial services.

Among the Montgomery County companies, there is a prevalence in software, healthcare/bio and government services—a natural fit with access to one of the country’s most highly educated workforces and local proximity to world-class federal research institutions in science, health, medicine and cybersecurity such as NIST, NIH, FDA and NCCOE.

Novavax Initiates Phase 3 Efficacy Trial of COVID-19 Vaccine in the United Kingdom | Novavax Inc. – IR Site

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Sept. 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a late stage biotechnology company developing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, today announced that it has initiated its first Phase 3 study to evaluate the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2373, Novavax’ COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The trial is being conducted in the United Kingdom (UK), in partnership with the UK Government’s Vaccines Taskforce, and is expected to enroll and immunize up to 10,000 individuals between 18-84 (inclusive) years of age, with and without relevant comorbidities, over the next four to six weeks.

Children’s National – NIAID Partnership | CTSI-CN

A one day symposium bringing together investigators, researchers, and clinicians from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Children’s National Hospital as well as other interested participants from outside institutions, to discuss the creation, progress, and evolution of this first-of-its-kind collaboration between the NIAID at the National Institutes of Health and Children’s National, a pediatric academic medical center. This year, the event will highlight the current COVID-19 and MIS-C pandemic, with a specific focus on the pediatric population. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of NIAID, will provide an overview on the infectious disease, and leading experts from Children’s National, NIAID, and other institutions will share the novel research and science being done to address this worldwide issue.

Graybug Vision Inc. (GRAY) IPO Opens 19% Higher

Today’s IPO for Graybug Vision Inc. (NASDAQ: GRAY) opened for trading at $19 after pricing 5,625,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $16.00 per share.

In addition, Graybug has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 843,750 shares of common stock at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions

SVB Leerink and Piper Sandler are acting as joint bookrunning managers for the offering. Needham & Company and Wedbush PacGrow are acting as passive bookrunners for the offering.

AstraZeneca, Samsung reach $331M biologics manufacturing deal amid Korean CMO’s expansion push | FiercePharma

Unlike some other manufacturers, Samsung Biologics has enjoyed a revenue boost from the novel coronavirus pandemic, and it’s accelerating its expansion plans to match. With a $2 billion “super plant” in the offing, Samsung now has a new Big Pharma supply deal in place to keep driving growth.

AstraZeneca tapped Samsung Biologics for a $331 million supply pact to produce bulk drug substance and “drug product to support AstraZeneca’s biologics therapeutics” at the CMO’s Plant 3 facility in Incheon, South Korea, the partners said Tuesday.

Image: Samsung Biologics’ expansion plans include a $2 billion “super plant” at the CMO’s Incheon complex. (Samsung)

Virtual DC Startup Showcase @ GW Registration, Tue, Sep 29, 2020 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

The George Washington University (GW) Technology Commercialization Office is pleased to host the inaugural DC Startup Showcase.

DC Startup Showcase will present companies developing disruptive healthcare innovations.

Log on to our live YouTube channel to see pitches from entrepreneurs seeking funding to bring the fruits of high-impact research to market.

Then join our Zoom rooms to follow up with specific startups, ask questions of our legal sponsors, and/or mix and mingle with DC’s best entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders.

TIME Names Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Map Creator To 100 Most Influential People List For 2020 – CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — TIME recently named a Johns Hopkins University professor to its 2020 list of the 100 most influential people in the world for developing a free and open website for the public to track the COVID-19 pandemic in near-real-time.

Lauren Gardner, a civil and systems engineering professor in the Whiting School of Engineering, led the team that built the COVID-19 Dashboard in late January.

Image: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Coronavirus vaccine could come thanks to horseshoe crab blood

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Allen Burgenson had a job, his father explained as they stood on the sand.

This was Allen’s first fishing trip, but he wasn’t going to take anything from the bay. He was to return the water’s gifts to the deep, where they’d belonged for hundreds of millions of years.

If he spotted a horseshoe crab on its back, his father said as he held Allen’s hand, that meant it was in trouble and needed Allen’s help to get home. Allen just had to flip it over. Its 10 legs could make it the rest of the way back to the crashing waves.

Image: https://www.usatoday.com

Top 50 NIH-Funded Institutions of 2020

A new federal fiscal year (FY) begins October 1, but lawmakers at deadline haven’t even agreed on stopgap funding needed to keep Washington fully functioning next month, let alone come to terms on a new budget for FY 2021.

As a result, nobody yet knows how much funding the NIH will have net fiscal year. President Donald Trump began the budget process in February, weeks before COVID-19 led to shutdowns nationwide, by proposing a record $4.9 trillion spending plan that would have cut the NIH’s budget by 7%, from $41.7 billion to $38.4 billion.

Alumnus’ VCU journey leads to new corporation — and a chance to fix America’s drug shortage problem

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020

Earlier this year, the federal Department of Health and Human Services announced a four-year contract worth $354 million for Richmond-based Phlow Corp. to manufacture medication components and drugs in the United States that could treat COVID-19 and other diseases.

If extended to the maximum 10 years, the contract could be worth $812 million. Phlow is a new company, co-founded and formally launched this year by Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering professor and alumnus B. Frank Gupton, Ph.D., and three-time VCU alumnus Eric S. Edwards. Edwards earned his B.S. in biology from the College of Humanities andSciences in 2002, his Ph.D. from the School of Pharmacy in 2011 and his M.D. from the School of Medicine in 2013.

Image: Phlow co-founder Eric Edwards, an alumnus of VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences, School of Pharmacy and School of Medicine, speaks at a School of Pharmacy Graduate Advisory Board meeting in 2019. (Danny Tiet, School of Pharmacy)

WhyWeVax™ Announces Expansion of Board of Directors with Eight New Members

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Why We Vaccinate, Inc., a 501(3)(c) educational organization dedicated to provide a credible and trusted source for honest and factual information on vaccines, their efficacy, safety and importance to public health, announced today the appointment of eight new board members. These additions to the organization’s leadership further its efforts to develop educational programs and facts-based messages. Our goals are to put forward information on the science and safety of vaccines, educating the population on the value of all vaccines and immunization programs.

Gov. Hogan tours Gaithersburg lab working on COVID-19 vaccine

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Governor Larry Hogan on Thursday visited a Gaithersburg laboratory, that’s in the process of developing a possible COVID-19 vaccine.

Novavax Inc., was awarded $1.6 billion through the Federal Government’s Operation Warp Speed to produce large-scale manufacturing, and delivery of 100 million vaccine doses as early as late 2020.

The company is just one of several in Montgomery County and Baltimore, helping to find a vaccine.

Image: Photo by: Gov. Hogan’s Office Gov. Hogan visits Novavax Inc.

ClearMask works to remove communication barriers during COVID-19 | Maryland Business News

In an effort to improve communication among children, hard-of-hearing, and Deaf individuals, ClearMask is working to provide accessibility to everyone during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ClearMask teamed up with Montgomery County-based business Xometry, the largest on-demand manufacturing platform, to produce the PPE design for its fully transparent surgical mask. Xometry has one of the largest 3D printing plants in the Mid Atlantic region.

Image: https://open.maryland.gov

new FNIH awards website is a celebration of science

I am writing to share the exciting news that the Foundation for the NIH has just launched a dynamic new website to salute the incredible accomplishments of the recipients of 2020 FNIH honors:

Dr. Aviv Regev, winner of the Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Anthony Fauci, winner of the Charles A. Sanders, M.D., Partnership Award

Dr. Michael Wilson, winner of Trailblazer Prize for Clinician-Scientists

The new site features in-depth interviews, engaging interactive content, and more in a celebration of scientific achievement. To check out the site, visit awards.fnih.org.

We think your community will be interested in learning more about the FNIH prizes and these esteemed recipients! We are hoping that you might be willing to share the site.

Cellphire President G. Michael Fitzpatrick Awarded Armed Services Program Lifetime Achievement Award | Nachricht | finanzen.net

ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Cellphire, the global leader in long-term stabilization and storage of platelets, is proud to announce that the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) has awarded Cellphire President G. Michael Fitzpatrick, PhD, with the 2020 ASBP Lifetime Achievement Award for his service and significant contributions to ASBP and the warfighter.

USAJOBS – Job Announcement

CRCHD seeks motivated scientists to serve as Program Directors in its Diversity Training Branch (DTB) and Integrated Networks Branch (INB). These Program Directors will manage and develop a portfolio of innovative grant-supported diversity training (DTB) and network-based initiatives (INB), and identify scientific opportunities to generate new knowledge supporting the NCI mission. The successful candidates will hold a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent degree.

Kraton (BHI Client) Seeking Approval for BIAXAMTM as a Self-Sterilizing Sulfonated Polymer (2)

HOUSTON, Sept. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Kraton Corporation (NYSE: KRA), a leading global producer of specialty polymers and high-value biobased products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, is seeking regulatory approval for BIAXAM, a novel sulfonated polymer technology with long-lasting self-disinfecting properties that has been demonstrated in studies to quickly inactivate up to 99.99% of SARS-CoV-2 (virus that causes COVID-19) and other microbes.

Sep 22 2020

Love0

424th Edition, September 22, 2020

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

September 22, 2020

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

Dr. Sally Mossman, Head of U.S. R&D for GSK Vaccines, Joins BioTalk to discuss their Rockville location, the BioHealth Capital Region, and the development of a COVID-19 Vaccine

Listen now via Apple https://apple.co/2RMiuoY, Google https://bit.ly/3iUXZCw, Spotify https://spoti.fi/32R5ll4, TuneIn https://bit.ly/33QE1m0, YouTube (Audio) https://bit.ly/367Ux47.

Dr. Mossman obtained her Ph.D. in herpes virology from the University of Liverpool, UK. Thereafter she conducted two postdoctoral fellowships in HIV vaccine research in the USA, first at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, and then at the University of Washington, Seattle. She spent 8 years within Corixa Corporation, a biotechnology company focusing on developing novel approaches to vaccines, including adjuvants, delivery strategies, and proprietary antigen candidates for infectious disease and cancer vaccines. She joined GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines in 2006 and spent 10 years in Rixensart Belgium in the early development of infectious disease vaccines. More recently, she relocated to Maryland as part of the founding leadership team for the USA R&D headquarters for GSK Vaccines in Rockville, where she was initially heading up the Discovery effort. She is now Head of the Rockville R&D site and oversees a portfolio of vaccine candidates at all stages of development as well as driving key vaccine technologies, including mRNA and Adenovirus platforms.

5th Annual BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR) Crab Trap Competition (REGiSTER NOW!)

Don’t miss your chance to be named the BioHealth Startup with the Most Commercial Potential at the BHCR Forum, win $10,000 and more!

Applications due: 9/30

Finalists notified by: 10/2

Mandatory presenter coaching for finalists: 10/7

6th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum (Oct 19th, 2020) (REGISTER NOW!)

We are excited to bring you an exceptional line up of speakers to this virtual event!

*Please note that attendees’ name might be recorded if participating in the chat function during the event.

Kraton (BHI Client) Seeking Approval for BIAXAMTM as a Self-Sterilizing Sulfonated Polymer

Emergent Biosolutions pumps $75m into Canton facility – News – Canton Journal – Canton, MA

Emergent BioSolutions will further strengthen its contract development and manufacturing capabilities by expanding into viral vector and gene therapy by investing $75 million in its Canton facility.

The facility is focused on the development and manufacturing of drug substances for live viral vaccines, including the company’s smallpox vaccine.

“Emergent’s expansion into advanced therapy CDMO services is based on our biologics expertise and a strong understanding of our customers’ current and future needs,” said Sean Kirk, executive vice president, manufacturing and technical operations at Emergent BioSolutions. “We are investing in our people, plants and products to meet the growing demand for precision treatments and to help get these therapies to patients.”

Qiagen completes takeover of PCR automation player NeuMoDx for $248M | MedTech Dive

Qiagen signed up to distribute the mid- and high-throughput versions of NeuMoDx’s PCR automation systems in major markets outside the U.S. in 2018. The agreement saw Qiagen take a 20% stake in its new partner and secure an option to buy the remaining 80% for $234 million, plus adjustments for cash, indebtedness and transaction costs. Since then, Qiagen and NeuMoDx have worked to expand the test menu, most recently in response to COVID-19.

Venture Summit Virtual Connect

BioHealthInnovation invites you to join over 120 leading VCs, Corp VCs, Angel Investors and over 100Top Innovators online at Venture Summit Virtual Connect being held on November 17th – 19 th 2020.One-on-One (zoom) investor meetings, 2 days of content including timely panel discussions, workshopsand an inspiring keynotes. Register now to confirm your spot: https://bit.ly/2DMyzYx & get an extra20% off the Early Bird Rates with Discount Code: BIOHEALTHVIP .

Bio and Pharma Manufacturing Renaissance – YouTube

Bio and Pharma Manufacturing Renaissance

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Prepares for Commercial Launch from New Maryland Site on the Heels of 2020 Hiring Spree · BioBuzz

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (Aurinia) is a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company (Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:AUP); NASDAQ (NASDAQ:AUPH) focused on commercializing therapies for rare autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, the company announced in March 2020 that it had established its U.S. commercial center of operations in Rockville, Maryland, which is actively staffing up with key personnel. Among the key leaders, Aurinia attracted were two veteran industry executives with deep ties to the region: former top MedImmune executives Peter Greenleaf and Max Donley are the company’s CEO and EVP, Internal Operations and Strategy, respectively. They both joined Aurinia’s leadership team in 2019

Graybug Vision files for $86 Million IPO on NASDAQ · BioBuzz

Graybug Vision, an Ocular disease biotech, filed with the SEC on September 4, 2020 for an $86 million IPO on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol GRAY. SVB Leerink, Piper Sandler, Needham & Co. and Wedbush PacGrow are the joint underwriters on the offering, for which pricing terms were not disclosed.

GlycoT Therapeutics Grants Sublicense of Glycoengineering Technology to Daiichi Sankyo | Maryland | curated.tncontentexchange.com

BALTIMORE, Sept. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — GlycoT Therapeutics LLC, a UM Ventures start-up company based on intellectual property (IP) developed at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), has executed a sublicense agreement for its glycoengineering technology with Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (Daiichi Sankyo; www.daiichisankyo.com). The agreement grants Daiichi Sankyo worldwide and non-exclusive rights to IP that GlycoT currently licenses from UMB and UMCP, and includes an undisclosed upfront payment, annual fees, and adequate royalties of sales to GlycoT.

Emergex Vaccines and George Mason University Identify T-Cell Epitopes Presented by SARS-Cov-2 Infected Cells

Doylestown PA, USA and Abingdon, Oxon, UK, 15 September 2020 – Emergex Vaccines Holding Limited (‘Emergex’), a company tackling major global infectious disease threats through the development of synthetic ‘set point’ vaccines which prime the T-Cell immune response, today announces the determination of a Class I MHC expression library, or ligandome, for SARS-Cov-2 infected cells, in collaboration with George Mason University (‘GMU’), National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases, Virginia, USA.

EU pays $384 million for Sanofi-GSK COVID vaccine as WHO scheme deadline looms | Reuters

BRUSSELS/PARIS (Reuters) – The European Union has agreed to buy a potential COVID-19 vaccine from Sanofi SASY.PA and GSK GSK.L in its second such deal to secure supplies, as a deadline for joining the World Health Organization’s (WHO) vaccine purchase programme looms.

Roche receives U.S. emergency approval for coronavirus vs. flu test | Reuters

ZURICH (Reuters) – Drugmaker Roche on Friday said it had received Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a test to quickly detect whether a patient has SARS-CoV-2 or one of two forms of influenza

21 Emerging Life Science Companies Fueling Maryland’s Biohealth Ecosystem · BioBuzz

Maryland is the epicenter of biotech and life science innovation in the BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR). The state is home to a burgeoning life science ecosystem, including a rapidly growing cell and gene therapy industry, a robust and growing advanced biomanufacturing environment, and a deep network of leading research universities and critical government life science research entities.

5 Questions with Tammi Thomas, Vice President, Marketing & Communications at TEDCO · BioBuzz

“5 Questions With……” is a weekly BioBuzz series where we reach out to interesting people in the BioHealth Capital Region to share a little about themselves, their work, and maybe something completely unrelated. This edition features 5 Questions with Tammi Thomas, Vice President, Marketing & Communications at TEDCO.

Image: https://biobuzz.io

1500 EAST GUDE DRIVE ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND – AVAILABLE NOW 21,400 RSF OF LABORATORY/OFFICE SPACE (Alexandria)

TENANT AMENITIES • Up to 21,400 RSF of office/lab suite available

• Divisible to 9,529 RSF and 11,871 RSF

• Conveniently located between Route 28 and Route 355 in Rockville, MD

• Proximate to other life science companies

• The proposed plans (attached) include heavily improved laboratory space • Emergency back-up power

• Ample surface parking

• Close proximity to Rockville Town Square, containing restaurants, retail, and more

Biotech-focused investor SR One is looking to raise $400m for its new fund | AltAssets Private Equity News

SR One, a venture capital firm focused on the biotech space, is looking to raised up to $400m for its new fund.

The firm has yet to register any capital for SR One Capital Fund I, according to the latest US Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

It is unclear whether the $400m figure on the document is just a target or will also be a hardcap for the fundraise.

AURP: Changemakers: Leading Communities of Innovation in Uncertainty

Interactive remarks with the world’s top leaders in innovation and inspiration Plan for up-to-the-moment discussions on global issues including projected outcomes from the U.S. 2020 Presidential election.

Sep 15 2020

Love0

423rd Edition, September 15, 2020

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

If you are having trouble viewing this email, please click here

September 15, 2020

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

5th Annual BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR) Crab Trap Competition

Don’t miss your change to be named the BioHealth Startup with the Most Commectial Potential at the BHCR Forum, win $10,000 and more!

Applications due: 9/24

Finalists notified by: 10/2

Mandatory presenter coaching for finalists: 10/7

Previous BioHealth Capital Region Crab Trap Winners from Sonavex, Galen Robotics, and Floreo Join Rich Bendis on BioTalk

A special BioTalk with former Crab Trap winners from the BioHealth Capital Region Forum. David Narrow, CEO of Sonavex, Bruce Lichorowic, President & CEO, Dave Saunders, CTO & Co-Founder of Galen Robotics, and Vijay Ravindran, Co-Founder & CEO of Floreo, Inc. give updates on their companies since winning the Crab Trap competition in previous years.

Listen now via Apple https://apple.co/3iHuNPv, Google https://bit.ly/2DXClOI, Spotify https://spoti.fi/3bXhgAx, TuneIn https://bit.ly/3iuENvc, or YouTube Audio https://bit.ly/33smGzz

SBIR Virtual Office Hours

Md. Labs Developing Vaccines and Therapeutics, Attracting Federal Dollars – Maryland Matters

A 2016 decision to link the research labs at the University of Maryland College Park with those at the University of Maryland at Baltimore is paying dividends in the competition for federal COVID-19 research dollars, a top education official told a science advisory panel on Wednesday.

The decision was a spinoff of the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership Act, said Laurie Ellen Locasio, vice president for research at the two institutions.

Are you a start-up in Maryland, DC or Virginia seeking feedback on your biohealth business idea, pitch deck, or commercialization plan? Schedule your complimentary virtual feedback session with BHI Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and Analysts on one of the following dates: 8/26. (45 minute blocks of time beginning at 9:00 in the morning. Pre-registration is required; sign up www.tinyurl.com/EIRFeedback. For questions/more information, contact BHI

Governor Hogan Announces Acquisition of 250,000 Rapid Antigen Tests from Becton Dickinson | thebaynet.com | TheBayNet.com | Articles

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Governor Larry Hogan today announced the acquisition of 250,000 rapid point-of-care antigen tests, which will be deployed to nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and correctional and juvenile detention centers across the state. The purchase makes Maryland, the founding member of the bipartisan interstate testing compact with the Rockefeller Foundation, the first state in the compact to move forward with an order for rapid antigen tests.

Image: https://www.thebaynet.com

Immunomic Therapeutics Inc. Expands into South Korea – Immunomic Therapeutics

Seoul Office Will Be Opening to Develop Immunomic Therapeutics Investigational Cell Therapy for Brain Cancer

September 10, 2020 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time SEOUL–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc., (“ITI”), a privately-held clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the study of nucleic acid immunotherapy platforms, originating in the United States recently opened its first office in South Korea. This continues to build on ITI’s overall strategy to be the partner-of-choice for innovative biotechnology companies in emerging centers of excellence worldwide.

In Conversation with Troy LeMaile-Stovall, TEDCO’s New CEO and Executive Director · BioBuzz

The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) announced in July 2020 that it had completed the executive search for a new leader with the hiring of Troy LeMaile-Stovall, a seasoned leader with deep ties to the BioHealth Capital Region (BCHR).

LeMaile-Stovall just recently officially took the helm of TEDCO and we thought it a great time to catch up with him for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation about his background and vision for TEDCO and the BHCR biotech and life science ecosystem.

Image: https://biobuzz.io

The Center for Innovative Technology Announces Bob Stolle as Chief Executive Officer and President

Richmond, VA, Sept. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) Board of Directors today announced Bob Stolle as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer and President of CIT. Stolle previously served as CIT’s Senior Vice President of Policy and Regional Initiatives as well as the head of CIT’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Division.

“Virginia’s entrepreneurship community has grown tremendously during Ed Albrigo’s tenure at CIT, and we are grateful for his dedicated service to our Commonwealth,” said Governor Ralph Northam. “I am pleased to welcome Bob Stolle to lead the agency and its efforts to advance our innovation economy.”

Image: The Center for Innovative Technology Announces Bob Stolle as Chief Executive Officer and President – https://www.globenewswire.com

6th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum (Oct 19th, 2020)

We are excited to bring you an exceptional line up of speakers to this virtual event!

*Please note that attendees’ name might be recorded if participating in the chat function during the event.

Venture Summit Virtual Connect – youngStartup Ventures

We’re dedicated to helping cutting-edge innovators and leading investors connect. VSVC3 will be an engaging and immersive [live] interactive virtual summit providing startups the opportunity to gain the visibility they need and investors access to vetted deal flow.

Top 5 TED Talks on Gene Technology that Every Biotech Leader Must Watch | American Gene Technology

TED Talks began in 1984 as a conference originating in Silicon Valley where powerful voices in Technology, Entertainment, and Design came together to spread potent ideas with broad relevance. Today there are thousands of talks of 18 minutes or less, in more than 100 languages, covering topics ranging from science to global issues. Despite this diversity, all TED talks share a devotion to Ideas Worth Spreading.

Image: https://www.americangene.com

Vaccine Makers Keep Safety Details Quiet, Alarming Scientists – The New York Times

The morning after the world learned that a closely watched clinical trial of a coronavirus vaccine had been halted last week over safety concerns, the company’s chief executive disclosed that a person given the vaccine had experienced serious neurological symptoms.

Image: Pascal Soriot, chief executive of the drug company AstraZeneca, in Washington in February.Credit…Erin Schaff/The New York Times

When Will There Be a Coronavirus Vaccine? | Time

The cleverest of enemies thrive on surprise attacks. Viruses—and coronaviruses in particular—know this well. Remaining hidden in animal hosts for decades, they mutate steadily, sometimes serendipitously morphing into more effective and efficient infectious agents. When a strain with just the right combination of genetic codes that spell trouble for people makes the leap from animal to human, the ambush begins.

Image: Illustration by Peter Greenwood for TIME – https://time.com

NIH continues to boost national COVID-19 testing capacity | National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The National Institutes of Health today announced $129.3 million in scale-up and manufacturing support for a new set of COVID-19 testing technologies as part of its Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative. NIH is awarding contracts to nine companies for technologies that include portable point-of-care tests for immediate results and high-throughput laboratories that can return results within 24 hours. These tests add to initial awards made to seven companies on July 31, 2020.

Image: MatMaCorp’s Solas 8 portable detection system for SARS-CoV-2 is designed to improve on-site testing capabilities of CLIA labs in rural communities.MatMaCorp

Virginia Tech Research Sees Continued Growth – The Roanoke Star News

Virginia Tech’s research expenditures are up, in addition to an increase in sponsored awards by 15 percent, building upon the last fiscal year’s expenditure total of $542 million, despite the impact of COVID-19 felt nationally by higher education institutes, according to preliminary fiscal year end reports.

Image: Researchers Nisha Duggal (left) and James Weger-Lucarelli from the Fralin Life Sciences Institute and Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine are establishing a reverse genetics system for SARS-CoV-2 that will serve as the basis for vaccine design. Photo: Ray Meese, Virginia Tech. – https://theroanokestar.com

California Developer Plans 169,812 Sq. Ft. Lab and Office Building in Port Covington

Pasadena, California-based Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. is planning a six-story, 169,812 sq. ft. lab and office building in Port Covington. The project is a collaboration between Alexandria and The Port Covington Development Team.

This building is proposed for lot E8 on the Chapter 1B Master Plan of the Port Covington project. This lot fronts a newly-aligned Cromwell St. and is adjacent to the northeast of the Rye Street Market complex. Rye Street Market is three connected buildings that make up 275,000 sq. ft. with 185,000 sq. ft. of office space, a 13,000 sq. ft. open-air market and food hall, 50,000 sq. ft. of pedestrian-oriented retail, a 12,000 sq. ft. meeting facility, and a 15,000 sq. ft. rooftop event space.

Fearless – Accelerate your business apply for hutch 2021

2020 has shown us the demands that are made on tech to keep our society running. Whether it’s teams pivoting from in-office meetings to 100+ person Zoom chats or state governments having trouble processing unemployment because of overloaded systems, good tech, especially good civic tech is needed now more than ever.

Dr. Anne Khademian Named Executive Director of Universities at Shady Grove – USM

Baltimore, Md. (Sept. 15, 2020) – Dr. Anne Khademian, a Presidential Fellow and professor at Virginia Tech, has been appointed executive director of the Universities at Shady Grove, the University System of Maryland (USM) regional higher education center offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs from nine USM institutions at its campus in Rockville, Md.

Sep 09 2020

Love0

422nd Edition, September 9, 2020

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

If you are having trouble viewing this email, please click here

September 9, 2020

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

Head of JLABS @ Washington, D.C., Sally Allain, MSc., MBA, Guests on BioTalk

Sally Allain, MSc., MBA, Head of JLABS @ Washington, D.C. joins Rich Bendis on BioTalk to discuss her career, the decision to open a BioHealth Capital Region location, and their new BLUE KNIGHT™ collaboration.

Listen now via Apple https://apple.co/35ivWc3, Google https://bit.ly/3k0vOlA, Spotify https://spoti.fi/2R84fuh, TuneIn https://bit.ly/2F0a0rN, and YouTube Audio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efHvb42ohtc.

Biotech leaders call for Covid-19 data transparency, FDA independence

WASHINGTON — A group of prominent biotech CEOs are calling on their peers and the federal government to hold themselves to the highest standards when it comes to developing and reviewing Covid-19 treatments.

Among their demands: That biotech companies don’t simply release clinical trial data in press releases, and that federal regulators make it clear to the public that any vaccines or treatments will be approved strictly based on science.

Image: Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a cell (purple) infected with SARS-COV-2 virus particles (yellow), isolated from a patient sample. NIAID

Alexandria Venture Investments Recognized as #1 Most Active Biopharma Investor for Third Consecutive Year

PASADENA, Calif., Sept. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Alexandria Venture Investments, the strategic venture capital platform of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), an urban office REIT and the first, longest-tenured and pioneering owner, operator and developer uniquely focused on collaborative life science, technology and agtech campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, was recognized by Silicon Valley Bank in its “Mid-Year 2020 Healthcare Investments and Exits Report” as the #1 most active biopharma investor by new deal volume from 2019 to 1H20. As a testament to Alexandria’s position at the heart of the life science ecosystem, this marks the third consecutive year the company’s venture capital platform has earned this distinguished and impactful recognition. Since its founding in 1996, Alexandria Venture Investments has strategically invested in some of the most disruptive and promising seed-, early- and growth-stage technologies and companies, and it stands today as an integral component of the company’s uniquely differentiated and multifaceted business strategy.

California developer Alexandria Real Estate proposes office, lab building at Baltimore’s Port Covington – Baltimore Business Journal

The 170,000-square-foot building would be located near Rye Street Tavern.

Unique Team-Building and Promotion for your BioHealth Company: FRAXA Biotech Games™ for Research – Register Now. Games Begin This Thursday Sept. 10th

Are you seeking an opportunity to engage your firm in a fun community-building activity? Register one or more teams for the FRAXA Biotech Games. The BioHealth Capital Region has been challenged by other clusters to demonstrate the greatest knowledge of biotech trivia. Proceeds benefit FRAXA Research Foundation, supporting Fragile X research projects at institutions around the world, including MIT, Harvard, Stanford and UCSD. Fragile X is the most common inherited cause of autism and intellectual disabilities. BioHealth Innovation (BHI) is hosting the BioHealth Capital Region (Maryland, DC, and Virginia)’s participation in this exciting new event.

Sanofi, GSK start human trial of their COVID-19 vaccine

Pharmaceutical giants Sanofi and Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) on Thursday started a clinical trial for their jointly developed COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

A total of 440 healthy adults are being enrolled in the trial across 11 investigational sites in the US, the two drugmakers said.

The vaccine candidate uses the same recombinant protein-based technology as one of Sanofi’s seasonal influenza vaccines with GSK’s pandemic adjuvant technology.

The Phase 1/2 clinical trial is a randomised, double blind and placebo-controlled trial designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and immune response of the COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

AstraZeneca Launches 30,000-Patient Phase III U.S. Trial of COVID-19 Vaccine

AstraZeneca said today it has launched a 30,000-patient Phase III trial in the U.S. of AZD1222, the COVID-19 vaccine it is co-developing with the University of Oxford and a spinout—a study that will account for most of the 50,000 participants on which the company intends to assess the vaccine.

The Phase III D8110C00001 trial (NCT04516746) is intended to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of AZD1222 (formerly ChadOx1 nCoV-19) for the prevention of COVID-19. Participants will be randomized to receive two doses of either AZD1222 or a saline control, four weeks apart, with twice as many participants receiving the potential vaccine than the saline control.

Johnson & Johnson Innovation and BARDA Select a Surge Force of Companies with the Aim to Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic as Part of Its BLUE KNIGHT™ Collaboration – News | JLABS

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 27, 2020 – Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC today announced the first companies to be part of its medical countermeasure innovation collaboration called Blue Knight, a joint initiative dedicated to anticipating potential health security threats, activating the global innovation community, and amplifying scientific and technological advancements with the aim to prepare for and respond to our rapidly evolving global health environment. Blue Knight has been developed in collaboration with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a component of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS (JLABS), a global network of life science incubators empowering and enabling innovators to deliver potential life-enhancing health and wellness solutions to people around the globe.

Ceres Nanosciences Receives $6.5M NIH Award

MANASSAS, Va. — September 2, 2020 — Ceres Nanosciences, a privately held company that makes innovative products to improve diagnostic testing, announced it has been awarded a contract from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADxSM) initiative. The contract, for $6.5 million, will support an expansion to increase the manufacturing capacity of Ceres’ Nanotrap® Virus Particles for COVID-19 tests.

Cartesian Therapeutics Initiates Clinical Trial of First RNA-Engineered Cell Therapy for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and COVID-19 – Cartesian

Gaithersburg, MD, September 1, 2020 – Cartesian Therapeutics, a fully integrated, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing cell and gene therapies for cancer, autoimmune diseases and respiratory diseases, today announced that it has initiated a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of its lead RNA-engineered mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, Descartes-30, in patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS, including that caused by COVID-19. Based upon the company’s research and analysis, this program is understood to be the first RNA-engineered cell therapy to enter clinical development for ARDS and COVID-19. It is also the first cell therapy to specifically degrade NETs, webs of extracellular DNA and histones that entrap inflammatory cells, block alveoli and vessels, and drive the pathogenesis of ARDS and COVID-19.

NIH Awards MicroGEM up to $40.9M to Fast-Track Rapid, No-Lab COVID-19 Saliva Test

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Sept. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — MicroGEM today announced it has been awarded up to $40.9 million by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADxSM) initiative to expedite the launch of the company’s molecular diagnostic test that provides rapid, sensitive and specific identification of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza types A and B at the point-of-need.

MicroGEM’s COVID-19 saliva test provides laboratory-quality results in 15 minutes, allowing non-medical personnel to obtain rapid, on-site detection of COVID-19 without a laboratory. The system detects SARS-CoV-2 in saliva, simultaneously with influenza types A and B, using real-time reverse transcriptase RT-PCR. Based on patented enzymatic RNA extraction technology, the system is a simple approach to quickly detecting and managing infectious disease.

American Gene Technologies Gets Go-Ahead to Test Possible HIV Cure | BioSpace

HIV therapies, typically cocktails of antiviral drugs, have proven to be very successful in controlling HIV/AIDS. However, they are not a “cure,” which is a very lofty goal. American Gene Technologies (AGT), based in Rockville, Maryland, received the go-ahead from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a Phase I clinical trial of AGT103-T, a gene therapy, to eliminate HIV from infected individuals.

Emergent BioSolutions Teams Up with Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and MAPDA to Highlight Importance of Overdose Reversal Medicines on International Overdose Awareness Day | BioSpace

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 31, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) today announced that it is teaming up with the Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse (MAPDA) to highlight the importance of potentially lifesaving overdose reversal medicines on International Overdose Awareness Day 2020. International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on August 31 each year that aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths. Emergent, in collaboration with these teams and MAPDA, will address the importance of accessing overdose reversal medicines through special announcements, videos, and stadium presentations.

J&J, BARDA pick 7 startups to back in fight against COVID-19—and beyond | FierceBiotech

As the world scrambles to develop diagnostics, treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, one big question looms: How will we face the next pandemic? Johnson & Johnson and the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) are teaming up once again to answer that.

Through a joint effort dubbed Blue Knight, the duo aims to boost innovation and “amplify” scientific and technological advancements to prepare for potential health threats—starting with COVID-19. They’ve picked seven startups from J&J’s global JLABS network to participate. The startups will receive up to $500,000 in support, as well as mentorship from BARDA and J&J to help them navigate R&D challenges and regulatory pathways and get medicines and tools to patients and healthcare workers as soon as possible.

Image: Startups chosen for the program may participate at JLABS locations in Washington, D.C., New York, San Diego or Toronto. If they don’t need a physical location or lab space, they may participate virtually. (Johnson & Johnson)

GSK is hiring in Richmond.

Microbiology Team Leader – https://jobs.gsk.com/en-gb/jobs/241125?lang=it-it (we also have a video of the line manager talking about the role, if you can add it to the newsletter)

New Product Development Director – Voltaren – https://jobs.gsk.com/en-gb/jobs/251039?lang=en-us&previousLocale=en-GB (we also have a line manager’s video)

Senior Process Engineer – https://jobs.gsk.com/en-gb/jobs/258078?lang=en-us&previousLocale=en-GB

Development of COVID-19 vaccine AZD1222 expands into US Phase III clinical trial across all adult age groups – Vaccitech

Vaccitech Ltd, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing immunotherapies to treat and prevent infectious diseases and cancer, announces that the development of AstraZeneca’s AZD1222 vaccine has expanded into a Phase III clinical trial in the US to assess its safety, efficacy and immunogenicity. AZD1222 was co-invented by Vaccitech and Oxford University’s Jenner Institute.

The US Phase III trial, called D8110C00001, is funded by the Biomedical Advanced Development Authority (BARDA), part of the office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and led by AstraZeneca. The NIAID-supported COVID-19 Prevention Network (CoVPN) will participate in the trial.

Skincare of the Future QuickFire Challenge – Challenge | JLABS

Advances in science and technology can drive the next generation of skincare innovations. Today, cutting edge dermatological research and technologies hold the potential to revolutionize pore minimizing and anti-aging solutions.

To that end, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., and Alibaba’s TMALL announce the Skincare of the Future QuickFire Challenge, calling on innovators to submit products, services and technologies aiming to help consumers tackle the world’s toughest skincare challenges, with a specific focus on pore minimizing and anti-aging solution.

TruGenomix, a Veteran-Led Biotech Instrumental in Early Identification & Awareness of PTSD, Raises $1.8 Million Seed Round, Led by Sanford Health & Viking Global

TruGenomix recently announced $1.8 million in financing in a seed round led by Sanford Health. The startup, a graduate of the Illumina Accelerator program and a Veteran Founder Initiative company, also announced matching funding from Viking Global, a partner of the Illumina Accelerator.

As a veteran-owned business, TruGenomix’s founding mission of improving the lives of U.S. military service members and veterans remains at its roots. With a vision of bringing behavioral health into the 21st century, TruGenomix is advancing the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through leveraging genomic and machine learning technologies.

Image: https://fi.co

Nobelpharma Press Release — MCEDC

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Recognizing the benefits of proximity to leading U.S. researchers, regulators and advocacy groups, Nobelpharma America, LLC has chosen Montgomery County, Maryland as the location for its first overseas subsidiary of Nobelpharma Co. Ltd., a company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Nobelpharma’s company mission is to contribute to society by providing critical but neglected pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

Nobelpharma meets an essential patient need: it develops curative drugs and medical devices for diseases that often go overlooked because of the small number of patients. Examples include patients suffering from tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and adductor spasmodic dysphonia.

5th Annual BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR) Crab Trap Competition

Don’t miss your change to be named the BioHealth Startup with the Most Commectial Potential at the BHCR Forum, win $10,000 and more!

Applications due: 9/24

Finalists notified by: 10/2

Mandatory presenter coaching for finalists: 10/7

Vaccitech Awarded U.K. Grant for COVID Vaccine Research

Vaccitech officials say the company received a U.K. government grant to support research with its next-generation technology platform to protect against COVID-19. The grant is part of the UKRI-NIHR COVID-19 rapid response rolling call for proposals with potential to deliver public health impacts within 12 months.

Preclinical data indicate Vaccitech’s new platform induces antibody and cell-mediated immune responses when compared with the adenoviral platforms currently in vaccine trials for COVID-19, according to Bill Enright, Vaccitech CEO. The preclinical data informed the decision of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), and other funders, including the World Health Organization (WHO), to support Vaccitech’s research efforts, he added.

Jonathan DeCarlo Named Chief Financial Officer at Emmes

ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Emmes today announced that Jonathan DeCarlo has been promoted to chief financial officer. DeCarlo, who has served as vice president and controller, is replacing Brian Hochheimer, who is retiring after 15 years at Emmes.

Dr. Anne Lindblad, president and chief executive officer, said, “Jon has been a key player in Emmes’ growth and success. His technical skills, high levels of integrity and honesty, and vision, have earned the trust and respect from all those with whom he works. We are thrilled to have him as our new chief financial officer. I am extremely confident Emmes will be in excellent hands under Jon’s leadership.”

ITI Announces Publication of Results from 3 ATTAC Studies of CMV-Specific Dendritic Cell Vaccines for the Treatment of GBM – Immunomic Therapeutics

ROCKVILLE, Md. & SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc., (“ITI”), a privately-held clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the study of nucleic acid immunotherapy platforms, announced today that results from multiple ATTAC clinical studies of dendritic cell vaccines have been published online by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in an article titled, “Once, Twice, Three Times a Finding: Reproducibility of Dendritic Cell Vaccine Trials Targeting Cytomegalovirus in Glioblastoma.”

ITI is developing several dendritic cell vaccines for the treatment of cancer, including ITI-1000 for glioblastoma (GBM), with leaders in cancer immunotherapy for brain tumors, John Sampson, M.D., Ph.D. from Duke University and Duane Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D. from the University of Florida. ITI’s dendritic cell vaccine is designed to target the pp65 viral antigen of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) that is expressed in GBM, but not in normal brain cells.

Johns Hopkins University Giving Wellness Kits To Undergrads To Protect Against COVID-19 – CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — As the fall semester begins, Johns Hopkins University wants to make sure its students are protected.

They are giving out wellness kits to undergraduates to help protect both students and the nearby community.

Sep 03 2020

Love0

421st Edition – September 1, 2020

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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September 1, 2020

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

Unique Team-Building and Promotion for your BioHealth Company: FRAXA Biotech Games™ for Research

Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore (EAGB), President and CEO, Michele L. Whelley, Joins Rich Bendis on BioTalk

Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore (EAGB), President and CEO, Michele L. Whelley, joins BioTalk to discuss her career, the economic development environment in Baltimore, and how to create a greater sense of partnership between perceived competing regions.

Listen now via Apple https://apple.co/2DikZfg, Google https://bit.ly/2Exq5oD , Spotify https://spoti.fi/31GmIUV, TuneIn https://bit.ly/32FjGQ5, and YouTube Audio https://bit.ly/31IwGFl.

Michele L. Whelley, President & CEO, is an economic development professional who is well-known throughout the region’s business community, Whelley brings new energy and focus to marketing the region, ensuring that EAGB will continue to strengthen its marketing platform as a critical component of fostering and supporting a vibrant and growing economy throughout the Greater Baltimore region.

5th Annual BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR) Crab Trap Competition

Don’t miss your chance to be named the BioHealth Startup with the Most Commercial Potential at the BHCR Forum, win $10,000 and more!

CONSIDERATIONS:

Technical Feasibility and IP
Commercialization and Marketing Strategy
Leadership Team and Collaborations
Funding to Date and Financial Projections

CRITERIA:

Demonstrated Proof of Concept/MVP
Have received funding (dilutive/nondilutive)
Understand regulatory and reimbursement hurdles
A clear path to market and scalable

PREVIOUS WINNERS:

Applications due: 9/15

Finalists notified by: 10/2

Mandatory presenter coaching for finalists: 10/7

OS Therapies to develop BlinkBio next-generation Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) technology; BlinkBio CEO Colin Goddard joins OS Therapies Board | BioSpace

CAMBRIDGE, Md. and LONDON, Aug. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OS Therapies, and late-stage clinical research biotechnology company focused on Osteosarcoma and other solid tumors today announced the co-exclusive licensing of BlinkBio’s novel Si-Linker and Cassette Payload technologies, and exclusive licensing of the BlinkBio technology to target Folate Receptor Alpha (FRα) for tumors and other targeted diseases.

Novavax and Canada Reach Agreement in Principle to Acquire Novavax’ COVID-19 Vaccine | Novavax Inc. – IR Site

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 31, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a late stage biotechnology company developing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, today announced it has reached an agreement in principle with the Government of Canada to supply up to 76 million doses of NVX-CoV2373, Novavax’ COVID-19 vaccine.

“We are pleased to work with the Canadian government on supply of our COVID-19 vaccine, an essential step to ensure broad access of our vaccine candidate,” said Stanley C. Erck, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novavax. “We are moving forward with clinical development of NVX-CoV2373 with a strong sense of urgency in our quest to deliver a vaccine to protect the world.”

Arcellx Announces EvansMDS Grant Awarded for Collaboration with Johns Hopkins and University of Colorado Researchers to Support Development of Arcellx ARC-sparX Platform Candidate ACLX-002

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arcellx today announced the award of an EvansMDS Discovery Research Grant to Johns Hopkins University to support development of an Arcellx ARC-sparX therapy in the treatment of high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The collaborative effort, led by Amy E. DeZern, M.D., at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, aims to advance development of ACLX-002, an immune cell therapy candidate directed at the therapeutic target CD123. The collaboration includes research to be conducted by Craig Jordan, Ph.D., of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and materials and expertise to be contributed by Arcellx.

REGENXBIO Announces FDA Clearance of IND for Phase II Trial of RGX-314 for the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Using Suprachoroidal Delivery | BioSpace

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — REGENXBIO Inc. (Nasdaq: RGNX), a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company seeking to improve lives through the curative potential of gene therapy based on its proprietary NAV® Technology Platform, today announced the clearance of the Investigational New Drug (IND) application by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to evaluate the suprachoroidal delivery of RGX-314 in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR). The IND is active, and REGENXBIO plans to begin dosing patients in a Phase II trial, ALTITUDE, in the second half of 2020.

Catalent to make drug substance for AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate – Reuters

(Reuters) – Catalent Inc said on Monday its Maryland facility would make the drug substance used in the COVID-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca Plc and the University of Oxford, starting “late in the third quarter” this year.

The New Jersey-based company said the drug substance will be made at its commercial gene therapy manufacturing facility in Harmans.

Catalent would supply the so-called viral vector, which is a genetically modified harmless virus designed to trick the human body into producing certain parts of the coronavirus. These proteins, in turn, prompt the immune system to develop an arsenal for any real COVID-19 infections.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities pays $590.4 million for huge portion of Parmer RTP – Triangle Business Journal

A huge portion of a campus in Research Triangle Park has been sold in a deal that tops $590 million.

Qiagen to launch digital, portable test for COVID-19 antibodies, preordering 900K for U.S. | FierceBiotech

Qiagen has announced plans to launch a new digital test for COVID-19 antibodies that can run multiple samples at once on a small portable device and deliver results in about 10 minutes.

With a small digital hub and interchangeable testing stick system, the eHub was developed for use against the novel coronavirus in collaboration with Australian diagnostic developer Ellume. The device can process up to eight samples simultaneously, or up to 32 tests per hour, to detect the presence of IgA, IgM or IgG antibodies in plasma or serum.

Emergent BioSolutions Announces Appointment of Marvin White to the Company’s Board of Directors NYSE:EBS

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced today that the company’s board of directors appointed Marvin L. White as a Class II director to serve on the board effective October 1, 2020, with an initial term expiring at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders. Mr. White was also appointed as a member of both the Scientific Review Committee and Strategic Operations Committee of the board.

Catalent Expands Manufacturing Support for COVID-19 Vaccine AZD1222

SOMERSET, N.J. – Aug 24, 2020 — Catalent, Inc. (NYSE: CTLT), the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies, development, and manufacturing solutions for drugs, biologics, cell and gene therapies, and consumer health products, today announced that Catalent Cell & Gene Therapy will provide drug substance manufacturing to AstraZeneca for the University of Oxford’s adenovirus vector-based COVID-19 vaccine, AZD1222, at Catalent’s commercial gene therapy manufacturing facility located in Harmans, Maryland.

Hampton Roads accelerator program goes virtual amid pandemic – The Virginian-Pilot – Inside Business

Imagine being able to use science to choose the right music for an advertising campaign or being able to order food and groceries on a military base from a veteran-owned small business.

Hampton Roads startups are bringing these ideas and more to this year’s 757 Accelerate program. In the midst of a global pandemic, the region’s startup accelerator is moving its entire program online and implementing a new abridged program for three more area startups.

Image: From left, Secret Chord Laboratories founders Scott Miles, David Rosen and Robert Abelow will be participating in the third 757 Accelerate startup program. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the program will be switching to operating virtually this year. (Courtesy photo)

Crisis innovators: How 5 local companies are addressing the pandemic head-on – DC Inno

Coronavirus made 2020 the year of the pivot.

But the D.C.-area ventures having real, direct impact on the Covid-19 crisis have done more than tweak their business models; they’re innovating, persevering and committing to getting us through the pandemic in one piece.

They’re laying groundwork and executing on plans to tackle the disease. They’re developing resources and launching initiatives to serve our communities, as we grapple with dangerous and disruptive ripple effects born from the public health emergency. They’re conducting research, donating dollars and delivering on their promises, all with one goal: to push through this period and make life easier in the interim, and thereafter.

Image: Coronavirus has challenged the region’s businesses to step up. fpm – https://www.bizjournals.com

J.P. Morgan on the state of life sciences and strategies to fuel innovation – MedCity News

In an interview, Peter Meath, J.P. Morgan’s co-head of Healthcare and Life Sciences, Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries, says the Covid-19 pandemic has cast a bright light on the life sciences industry with startups raising venture funding at record levels as the virus has transformed the way people usually do business in the sector.

Image: Peter Meath – https://medcitynews.com

Genomic Analysis Suggests Some Endangered Species May Be at High Risk of SARS-CoV-2

Humans are not the only species facing a potential threat from SARS-CoV-2, according to the results of a study by an international scientific team headed by researchers at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). Using genomic analysis to compare the amino acids of a key part of the ACE2 protein that is used by SARS-CoV-2 to gain entry into human cells, with those of the ACE2 protein in more than 400 other animals, the team found it feasible that many different species, including some, like the Western lowland gorilla, which are highly endangered, could potentially be infected by the virus.

Image: Western lowland gorilla (Trisha Shears/FreeImages)

United States establishes a dozen AI and quantum information science research centers | Science | AAAS

The United States aims to invest $765 million over the next 5 years in a dozen scientific centers dedicated to the study of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum information science (QIS), such as quantum computing, the White House announced today. Numerous private tech companies such as IBM, Google, and Intel will also contribute to the twin pushes, which call for a total of more than $1 billion in research investment.

NIH programmes funded $1.2b in 2019 for early stage drug development

The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) is one of the largest early stage life sciences investors, and funds over $1B in awards each year through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programmes, according to NIH representatives who spoke at the “Key Role of NIH in the Product Development Pipeline” panel session at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) Digital International Convention on 9 June.

OxiWear rushes to get wearable oxygen monitor to Covid-19 patients – Washington Business Journal

OxiWear’s own founder is a user herself of its oxygen monitor for patients with severe pulmonary hypertension.

Image: Shavini Fernando is founder and CEO of OxiWear. LESLIE E. KOSSOFF/GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

Aug 25 2020

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420th Edition – August 25, 2020

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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August 25, 2020

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

6th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum (Oct 19th, 2020)

We are excited to bring you an exceptional line up of speakers to this virtual event!

*Please note that attendees’ name might be recorded if participating in the chat function during the event.

5th Annual BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR) Crab Trap Competition

Don’t miss your change to be named the BioHealth Startup with the Most Commectial Potential at the BHCR Forum, win $10,000 and more!

Applications due: 9/15

Finalists notified by: 10/2

Mandatory presenter coaching for finalists: 10/7

Join BHI and Represent the BioHealth Capital Region in the FRAXA Biotech Games™ for Research

3rd Annual BioHealth Capital Region Investor Forum (Oct 20 – 21st, 2020)

3rd Annual BioHealth Capital Region Investor Forum

Ocr 20 – 21st, 2020

Nearly 40 Maryland Companies, Universities Working on Vaccines, Therapeutics, Diagnostic Tests, and Clinical Research

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today commended the nearly 40 Maryland life sciences companies that are working on developing and manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, improving diagnostic tests, and providing clinical research and technological support to ensure safe and effective health care delivery.

The University System of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University have also dedicated millions of dollars toward research, testing, and clinical trials. The University of Maryland School of Medicine recently began phase 3 trials of a COVID-19 vaccine.

5 Questions with Judy Costello, Managing Director of Economic Development for BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) · BioBuzz

“5 Questions With……” is a weekly BioBuzz series where we reach out to interesting people in the BioHealth Capital Region to share a little about themselves, their work, and maybe something completely unrelated. This edition features 5 Questions with Judy Costello who is Managing Director of Economic Development for BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI).

Judy Costello is Managing Director of Economic Development for BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI). Prior to joining BHI, she served as Director of the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Office of BioHealth and Life Sciences and as Deputy Director of the department’s BioMaryland Center. In these positions, she has worked to grow the region’s biohealth cluster by supporting industry recruitment and retention, commercialization, workforce, non-dilutive and dilutive fundraising, international soft landing, partnership, and promotion activities. She previously served as Executive Director of the Business Alliance for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine enters second round of human trials | Live Science

The biotechnology company Novavax will soon begin the second phase of human testing for its COVID-19 vaccine.

The so-called phase 2b clinical trial will include a group of 2,665 healthy adults in South Africa, as well as a group of 240 adults with HIV who are considered medically stable but whose immune responses may differ from individuals without HIV, according to a statement released by Novavax on Aug. 17. HIV advocacy groups have pushed for people with HIV to be included in clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines, as companies like Moderna and Pfizer initially said they would exclude volunteers with the infection, Science Magazine reported.

CARMA Cell Therapies™ Expands Phase I Trial of Anti-Mesothelin mRNA CAR-PBMC Cell Therapy MCY-M11

GAITHERSBURG, MD, AUGUST 18, 2020 — MaxCyte, Inc., a global cell-based therapies and life sciences company, today announces the expansion of subsidiary CARMA Cell Therapies’ ongoing Phase I intraperitoneal delivery and dose-escalation trial of MCY-M11, its lead anti-mesothelin CAR-PBMC cell therapy candidate. The expansion will involve a new parallel cohort of patients and the initiation of two additional clinical sites.

The new parallel Phase I cohort will evaluate intraperitoneal delivery of MCY-M11 at escalating doses in additional patients with relapsed/refractory ovarian cancer and malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, with the addition of a preconditioning regimen of cyclophosphamide prior to MCY-M11 infusion. This parallel Phase I cohort with preconditioning will progress independently from the ongoing evaluation of MCY-M11 in the existing no-preconditioning Phase I cohort. The MCY-M11 Phase I trial will also allow for multiple treatment cycles where indicated for both future preconditioning and no-preconditioning patients.

OrganoPlate® Graft: The Missing Link In Tissue Culture

The OrganoPlate® Graft is the first in vitro cell culture platform that allows vascularization of 3D tissues like spheroids, organoids, and tumors in vitro.

In this webinar, you will learn:

Limitations of current models How to build 3D vascularized tissues How to form vascular beds in vitro How to add 3D microtissues in the OrganoPlate Graft How to set up available assays How to get started in your lab

Image: https://go.mimetas.com

Adaptive Phage Therapeutics Announces Mayo Clinic as Lead Investor in Convertible Note Financing – BioHealth Capital Region

GAITHERSBURG, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Adaptive Phage Therapeutics (APT), a clinical-stage biotechnology company founded to provide an effective therapeutic response to the global rise of multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogenic bacteria, today announced Mayo Clinic has committed $1.75M as a lead investor in a $7 million convertible note financing round.

Mayo Clinic is collaborating with APT to conduct a clinical trial using PhageBankTM investigational therapy to address the significant unmet need for alternative treatments for chronic infections following joint replacement (referred to as “periprosthetic joint infections,” or “PJIs”). Proceeds from the convertible note are designated to initiate the trial.

University System of Maryland Rolls Out Virtual Science Labs Across All Campuses — Campus Technology

The University System of Maryland has partnered with Labster to provide its virtual laboratory simulations across all USM institutions. The university is working to integrate virtual science labs into its course offerings as the COVID-19 pandemic has limited students’ and instructors’ access to classrooms.

Maryland’s 8th District Leads US in Science and Engineering Jobs, Study Says | Montgomery Community Media

Maryland’s 8th Congressional District has the highest proportion of science and engineering jobs in its workforce out of any district in the United States, according to a new report from the Information Technology Industry Council.

About 4.6% of the jobs in the district — which encompasses parts of Montgomery, Frederick and Carroll County — are in science and engineering, but the report found that the median U.S. district has less than 1% of such jobs.

Maryland Legislators Urge More Aggressive Use of Antibody Tests as Local Company Aims to Advance Research – NBC4 Washington

Maryland’s Department of Health announced Thursday it will partner with 13 hospitals around the state to launch an antibody study on unused blood samples. It’s part of a new program to incorporate antibody testing into the state’s continued strategy to fight COVID-19.

The News4 I-Team first asked about that strategy in May, when Virginia began posting its antibody testing details online, with positive and negative results listed by local health district. In mid-July, Maryland provided the I-Team with data showing more than 81,000 Marylanders had been antibody tested through private vendors.

Ranked: The 10 US Cities Best Positioned To Recover From Coronavirus (And The 10 Worst)

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted cities across the country with varying force. New York City has been hardest hit, and it’s no secret that the Big Apple is going to be one of the places that will have the most challenging time bouncing back from the coronavirus pandemic, no matter when things subside. But which cities will have the best coronavirus recovery? And which other cities will struggle? Moody’s Analytics has issued a report that examines the potential to recover from coronavirus among the top 100 metro areas in the US—and while some of the results are to be expected, some are more surprising.

Maryland Commercial Real Estate Services | Scheer Partners

(Rockville, MD – August 20, 2020) – Scheer Partners is proud to announce that 704 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, Maryland is 100% leased.

In 2018 Scheer Partners’ affiliate, South Duvall, part of a joint venture with a publicly traded REIT, acquired 704 Quince Orchard Road. 704 Quince Orchard Road presented an opportunity to convert an underperforming office building in the Gaithersburg Life Sciences Cluster. Scheer Partners, Inc. provided brokerage, construction management, and property management services for the 80,000 square foot project and made the entire building “lab-ready.” Scheer Partners’ Adnan Sheikh spearheaded construction management of the project in partnership with their Property Management Division, led by Ayesha Murray, which continues to ensure the building operates at peak performance.

Nose is a key entryway for coronavirus, Hopkins study shows – Baltimore Sun

The cells that allow people to smell are a key entryway for the coronavirus, making nose coverings crucial, suggests new research from the Johns Hopkins University.

The nose already had been emerging as a main door for the virus and related respiratory disease. But this research specifically points to the olfactory cells because they have a very large number of receptors on their surface called ACE2 that have been shown to be vulnerable to coronaviruses.

Apply for funding under the NIAID New Innovators Award (DP2) – MIDAS

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) recently reissued the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for the New Innovators Award (PAR-20-259). The first application due date is November 2, 2020.

The NIAID New Innovator Award supports a postdoctoral or newly independent Early Stage Investigator of exceptional creativity who proposes novel, original and insightful research concepts with the potential to produce a major impact, test scientific paradigms, or advance key concepts on broad, important problems in biomedical research of priority to NIAID. Applications proposing unexpected convergence of disciplines, new scientific directions, or the use of novel methodologies are encouraged.

Sweden to have 18m vaccine doses next year: vaccine coordinator – The Local

Sweden expects to have as many as 18m doses of coronavirus vaccine by next year, enough to inoculate the entire Swedish population, according to the country’s vaccine coordinator. “If these vaccines work and are safe, it’s possible that we will have vaccinated everyone who wants it next year, or at the start of 2022,” Richard Bergström told the Dagens Nyheter newspaper.

Image: Sweden’s vaccine coordinator Richard Bergström. Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/TT

Novavax Initiates Phase 2 Portion of Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of COVID-19 Vaccine | Novavax Inc. – IR Site

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a late stage biotechnology company developing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, today announced that the first volunteers have been enrolled in the Phase 2 portion of its ongoing clinical trial to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of NVX-CoV2373, Novavax’ COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The Phase 2 clinical trial expands on the age range of the Phase 1 portion by including older adults 60-84 years of age as approximately 50 percent of the trial’s population. NVX‑CoV2373 is a stable, prefusion protein made using Novavax’ nanoparticle technology and includes Novavax’ proprietary Matrix‑M™ adjuvant.

Women Building Bio is where the vision is transformed into reality. Women advancing the industry with all stakeholders, men and women, front and center joining forces.

Come join us for this half day interactive virtual conference on September 16, 2020.

Click here to register.

Aug 20 2020

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419th Edition – August 18, 2020

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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August 18, 2020

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

This invitation-only event is free for executive level biotech leaders and is presented by BioHealth Innovation, Virginia Bio, Children’s National Health System, Johns Hopkins University, JPMorgan, Maryland Department of Commerce, George Mason University, University System of Maryland, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, AstraZeneca, Deloitte, and Montgomery County Economic Development Corp.

The BioHealth Capital Region—Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC—sets the bar high for biotech innovation. So please join us for our 6th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum that will highlight the accomplishments of today and chart our successes of tomorrow.

For more information about our speakers and event schedule, please visit www.biohealthcapital.com/forum-2020

Click here to register!

#BHCRForum20

USM Maryland Momentum Fund Invests $250,000 in $3.5M Seed Round of miRecule Inc. – USM

Baltimore, MD. (Aug. 10, 2020) — The University System of Maryland (USM) Momentum Fund has invested $250K in miRecule, an emerging biotech company with a cutting-edge discovery platform to create RNA therapeutics alongside theFSHD Society as a co-investor. This investment is complemented by recent funding raised over the past year, which includes lead investor Alexandria Venture Investments as well as Pathway Bioventures, Alumni Ventures Group, and angel investors. In total, miRecule’s seed round raised more than $3.5M in private seed funding. In addition to its private investments miRecule has also been awarded a non-dilutive $2M Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Cancer Institute.

Emergent BioSolutions Announces FDA Approval of NARCAN® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray Shelf Life Extension to 36 Months NYSE:EBS

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the extension of the shelf life of NARCAN® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray from 24 months to 36 months. Narcan Nasal Spray was the first intranasal form of naloxone approved by FDA and Health Canada for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. at the Vanguard of the Life Science Ecosystem’s Rapid Scaling of COVID-19 Testing

PASADENA, Calif., Aug. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), an urban office REIT and the first, longest-tenured and pioneering owner, operator and developer uniquely focused on collaborative life science, technology and agtech campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, is at the vanguard of the vital life science ecosystem that is advancing solutions for COVID-19 through a multifaceted, highly impactful strategy that includes a mission-critical focus on making rapid COVID-19 testing available to all Americans. Widespread screening and diagnostic testing, in addition to safe and effective vaccines and therapies, are desperately needed to resolve the global COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 Life Sciences Real Estate Outlook – JLL

Our annual cluster ranking profiles the top U.S. life sciences hubs and tracks the progress of the up-andcoming life sciencesmarkets that are fast becoming options of choice for life sciences companies and investors alike. Finally, the outlook introduces prominent industry trends that will provide new engines of growth.

In this report

In addition to highlighting the current state of life sciences real estate clusters across the U.S., this report will provide answers to three critical questions that both life sciences companies and lab developers must consider in order to remain at the crest of industry trends.

QIAGEN to continue successful growth strategy focused on execution and greater value creation after voluntary public takeover offer falls short

Venlo, The Netherlands, August 13, 2020 – QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today announced that it will continue to execute its successful growth strategy aiming to create significant value for shareholders and other stakeholders after the voluntary public takeover offer by Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (NYSE: TMO) did not achieve the minimum 66.67% acceptance threshold from QIAGEN shareholders.

Precigen Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase I/II Study of First-in-Class PRGN-2009 AdenoVerse™ Immunotherapy to Treat HPV-associated Cancers | BioSpace

GERMANTOWN, Md., Aug. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Precigen, Inc. (Nasdaq: PGEN), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of innovative gene and cellular therapies to improve the lives of patients, today announced that the first patient has been dosed with Precigen’s PRGN-2009, a first-in-class, off-the-shelf (OTS) investigational immunotherapy utilizing the AdenoVerse™ platform designed to activate the immune system to recognize and target HPV+ solid tumors (clinical trial identifier: NCT04432597). HPV-associated cancers represent a significant health burden in indications such as head and neck, cervical, vaginal and anal cancer.

United Therapeutics Announces U.S. FDA Filing Acceptance Of Supplemental New Drug Application For Tyvaso® For Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Interstitial Lung Disease | BioSpace

SILVER SPRING, Md. and RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — United Therapeutics Corporation (Nasdaq: UTHR) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted for review the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Tyvaso® (treprostinil) Inhalation Solution for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD). United Therapeutics expects the agency’s review to be complete in April 2021.

Kite, a Gilead Company, Looks to Expand Its Cell Therapy Maryland Operations | BioSpace

Maryland has become a key part of the strategy for Kite, a Gilead company, and its mission to find a cure for cancer. As the California-based company focuses more and more on cutting-edge cell therapy research and manufacturing, Kite is expanding its toehold in the BioSpace Hotbed region known as BioCapital.

Emmes Announces its Role in Phase 1 COVID-19 Vaccine Trial | BioSpace

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Emmes today announced that it provided the data and statistical analysis support for the Phase 1 clinical trial of the investigational COVID-19 vaccine mRNA-1273. Three Emmes employees were co-authors on the Preliminary Report about the clinical trial, “An mRNA Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2,” published in the New England Journal of Medicine on July 14.

TEDCO’s Maryland Innovation Initiative Accelerates Technologies from Bench to Market | TEDCO

COLUMBIA, Md. (August 13, 2020)— TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced its recent round of investments in six (6) start-up companies and funding to fifteen (15) university projects through the Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII).

Established in 2012, the MII program was created as a partnership between the State of Maryland and five Maryland academic research institutions: Johns Hopkins University; Morgan State University; University of Maryland, Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; and University of Maryland, College Park. The program’s mission is to accelerate promising technologies with significant commercial potential to market while leveraging each partner University’s strengths.

Here are DC Inno’s 2020 Inno on Fire Blazers

We sourced the community, built a roster of Greater Washington’s hottest enterprises and innovators, and narrowed that list to the ecosystem’s 50 elite.

Then Thursday afternoon, we celebrated those fast-growing, move-making players: DC Inno’s 2020 Inno on Fire winners. All had banner years — for expansions, launches, fundraises and pivots — and all in a time of profound, unprecedented change.

2020 Technology Showcase (NCI)

The 2020 Technology Showcase is going virtual! Reserve the afternoon of September 9th on your calendar for the 2020 Technology Showcase. The 4th annual event will highlight technologies being developed at the NCI and the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNL) to encourage technology licensing and collaborations, startup company formation and the translation of NCI discoveries into solutions to benefit patients.

Emergent BioSolutions CEO on Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca vaccine partnerships

Emergent BioSolutions CEO Bob Kramer joined Jim Cramer on “Mad Money” to discuss the biopharmaceutical company’s role in the quest to bring a Covid-19 vaccine to market.

1500 EAST GUDE DRIVE ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND – AVAILABLE NOW 21,400 RSF OF FLEX / OFFICE SPACE

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE), an S&P 500® urban office REIT, is the first and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer uniquely focused on collaborative life science, technology and agtech campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, San Francisco, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle. Alexandria has a longstanding and proven track record of developing Class A properties clustered in life science, technology, and agtech campuses that provide our innovative tenants with highly dynamic and collaborative environments that enhance their ability to successfully recruit and retain world-class talent and inspire productivity, efficiency, creativity, and success. For more information, please visit www.are.com.

Managing Multiple Biomarker Therapeutic Development

Originally Aired: August 12, 2020 Time: 3:00 pm ET

Gene therapy has undergone a renaissance in recent years, with several drugs offering beneficial, even life-saving treatments, now approved by the FDA and EMA. A big reason for this turnaround is the emergence of adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a generally safe and efficient vector for therapeutic gene delivery.

Earlier this summer, reports emerged of two fatalities in young boys in a clinical trial for a rare muscle disorder using AAV. This sad news has turned the spotlight on viral dosage, vector manufacturing and immune responses as factors we need to better understand to ensure the safety of gene therapy treatments in the future.

Scientists revise COVID-19 incubation period to 7.7 days

The incubation period of a disease is the time between infection and the emergence of symptoms. Although it varies from person to person, understanding the average incubation period of an infectious disease is critical to controlling it.

Authorities use the incubation period to determine the length of quarantine, for instance, as well as to understand how the disease is transmitted and to identify the source of the outbreak.

Francis Collins Relies on Science and Faith – WSJ

It takes no time for Francis Collins, the director of the National Institutes of Health, to recall the moment when he knew he wanted to be a scientist. “Tenth-grade chemistry class,” he says over the phone from his home office in Chevy Chase, Md., where he has been working since most of the NIH campus in Bethesda, Md., shut down in March. Much of the science he had learned before then was “descriptive” and uninteresting, he explains—but for this class, students used experiments to figure things out. “It became clear to me that science is like a detective story,” says Dr. Collins, 70. “If you’re good at it, you’ll discover…

Coronavirus in DC, Maryland, Virginia: What to Know on Aug. 14 – NBC4 Washington

Montgomery County is closing all testing sites Friday until further notice after issues were raised by the state with some testing kits.

Anyone who was tested at a county-sponsored clinic in the past two weeks should be retested at another community-based clinic, the county said on its website.

Maryland’s department of health raised questions about protocols used with some test kits by AdvaGenix, which uses self-administered kits to collect saliva. These kits account for about 7% of all tests conducted in the county, adding up to hundreds every day.

Aug 20 2020

Love0

418th Edition – August 11, 2020

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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August 11, 2020

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

BioHealth Capital Fund Created to Help Emerging Companies Close Early Stage Capital Gap

BioHealth Innovation (BHI) was created in 2012 by Rich Bendis and key industry leaders to accelerate the commercialization of high potential scientist entrepreneurs and companies within the BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR), which consists of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Prior to BHI’s launch, the region’s development efforts were heavily focused on academic and government research assets. BHI’s mission is to give the life science industry a greater voice within the region and to be more market and entrepreneur-driven. During the last 8.5 years, BHI has grown substantially and spearheaded the effort to create a strong regional brand that is now known as the BHCR.

Download the PDF

Senior Licensing Associate (200001DR)

Reporting to Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, the senior licensing associate independently manages a docket of technologies and has advanced level skills in technology marketing and licensing. The individual assumes primary responsibility for directly facilitating the technology transfer, development and commercialization of assigned technologies and faculty/departmental clients, assisting faculty and staff with the establishment of new commercialization agreements and business development relationships, supporting the establishment of R&D collaborations with industry partners to advance early stage discoveries, and managing relationships with key stakeholders internal and external the organization to proactively enable technology transfer. The Senior Licensing Associate will provide high quality services including invention receipt and capture, patentability assessment, market outreach (in-depth marketing support strategic and tactical), business development (structuring, drafting and negotiating commercialization agreements) and shall deliver the highest quality of customer service. This position will also manage other functions for the office as assigned in addition to technology licensing.

BioForward Wisconsin’s Lisa Johnson Virtually joins Rich Bendis on BioTalk

The BioHealth Capital Region and BioForward Wisconsin come together as Lisa Johnson joins Rich Bendis on BioTalk to discuss her career, the industry, and growing biohealth in the Midwest.

Listen now via Google https://bit.ly/2DtF6Y1, Apple, https://apple.co/3fJU0q3, Spotify https://spoti.fi/3fFpb5H, TuneIn https://bit.ly/3iqNAh9, and YouTube Audio https://bit.ly/2PERPcH

Novavax and Takeda Announce Collaboration for Novavax’ COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate in Japan Nasdaq:NVAX

GAITHERSBURG, Md. and OSAKA, Japan, Aug. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a late stage biotechnology company developing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK), today announced a partnership for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of NVX‑CoV2373, Novavax’ COVID‑19 vaccine candidate, in Japan. NVX‑CoV2373 is a stable, prefusion protein made using Novavax’ recombinant protein nanoparticle technology and includes Novavax’ proprietary Matrix‑M™ adjuvant. Takeda will receive funding from the Government of Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) to support the technology transfer, establishment of infrastructure and scale-up of manufacturing. Takeda anticipates the capacity to manufacture over 250 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine per year1.

Adaptive Phage Therapeutics Announces Mayo Clinic as Lead Investor in Convertible Note Financing | Business Wire

MCEDC RESOURCE GUIDE FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD BUSINESSES

Download an A to Z business guide that offers federal, state and local resources to help your Montgomery County business succeed. The newly expanded, 14-page MCEDC Business Resource Guide. Find funding, training, talent, support for women and diverse businesses and more—a handy guide to use and share.

Click here to download.

Emergent BioSolutions Announces Proposed Offering of $450 Million of Senior Unsecured Notes NYSE:EBS

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) (the “Company”) announced today that it intends to offer $400 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes with an expected maturity date of August 2028 (the “Notes”). The Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries that guarantee debt under its credit facilities. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to repay the $353 million outstanding under its $600 million revolving credit facility with the remainder to be used for general corporate purposes.

Novavax reports positive phase 1 data on its Covid-19 vaccine candidate – Washington Business Journal

The study found the candidate elicits “robust antibody responses” and is well-tolerated, the company said Tuesday.

Image: Novavax is advancing a Covid-19 vaccine candidate through clinical trials. COURTESY NOVAVAX

Emmes Promotes Three VPs to Officer Positions | State | heraldmailmedia.com

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Emmes today announced that three corporate vice presidents have been promoted. Dr. Traci Clemons has been named chief research officer, Marian Ewell is now chief scientific innovation officer, and Jennifer Hester is the company’s chief human resources officer. These are all newly created positions for the company.

Image: Dr. Traci Clemons

SHYCOCAN – A Device to Disable Coronaviruses – to be Marketed Under US-FDA’s Enforcement Discretion During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Shreis Scalene Therapeutics LLC (SSTx), a MD-USA-based medical device company will fast-track the manufacture and distribution of the CE-marked (EU-Class 1) Scalene Hypercharge Corona Canon (SHYCOCAN) under US FDA ‘Enforcement Policy for Sterilizers, Disinfectant Devices, and Air Purifiers During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency.”

Image: SHYCOCAN Devices

Save the Date! 2020 BioHealth Capital Region Forum

For more information about our speakers and event schedule, please visit www.biohealthcapital.com/forum-2020

#BHCRForum20

This Company is the Landlord of Life Sciences | InvestorPlace

With so much attention on COVID-19 treatment and vaccine developments, life science laboratories are getting more notice.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) based in Pasadena, California. It’s the largest landlord in the US for laboratories and related offices.

Its top companies by rent revenues include Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN), Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY), Celgene, Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY), Merck (NYSE:MRK)—which we own in Profitable Investing—Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA), Novartis (NYSE:NVS), Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY).

Race for coronavirus vaccine takes big step with trial at University of Maryland – Baltimore Sun

The University of Maryland School of Medicine and about 30 other U.S. centers have begun recruiting thousands of volunteers living in COVID-19 hot spots to join the nation’s most advanced trial for a vaccine against the disease.

The vaccine was developed by the Massachusetts biotech company Moderna along with the National Institutes of Health. It is among several vaccines to reach a Phase 3 trial globally but was the first one announced under Operation Warp Speed, the federal program to quickly identify, produce and distribute 300 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

GSK launches national public awareness campaign to reverse steep decline in already low immunization rates for adults | News | wfmz.com

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — GSK today launched a national campaign to help increase low rates of vaccination among older adults. The campaign, Brought to You By Vaccines, will educate adults ages 50 and older about the value of vaccines and the urgent need to talk to their healthcare provider or pharmacist about the recommended vaccines they need or may have recently missed.

Johns Hopkins researchers get $35M grant to test COVID-19 outpatient treatment – Homeland Preparedness News

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) awarded Johns Hopkins researchers $35 million for clinical trials to test a convalescent blood plasma outpatient treatment to fight COVID-19.

20/20 GeneSystems Wins Gold Medal in the 2020 Taipei Biotech Award for its OneTest Blood Test for Early Detection of Cancer | BioSpace

ROCKVILLE, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– 20/20 GeneSystems, Inc. is proud to announce that in partnership with Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, the largest hospital in Taiwan, it has won the 2020 Taipei Biotech “Technology Transfer Cooperation Award” Gold Medal Award, the Oscar in the biotechnology industry, for its OneTest an artificial intelligence (AI) powered blood test that can assist in the early detection of many common cancers.

TruGenomix co-founders hope to prevent severe PTSD – Sanford Health News

The two co-founders behind TruGenomix have a vision for helping veterans and others who might be prone to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A new partnership with Sanford Health will help them work toward this vision.

Charles Cathlin serves as chief executive officer, and Tshaka Cunningham, Ph.D., is chief scientific officer of their small, veteran-owned precision behavioral health company based in Maryland.

REGENXBIO Announces Additional Positive Interim Phase I/IIa Trial Update and Program Updates for RGX-314 for the Treatment of Wet AMD | BioSpace

REGENXBIO Inc. (Nasdaq: RGNX), a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company seeking to improve lives through the curative potential of gene therapy based on its proprietary NAV® Technology Platform, today reported positive one year data from patients in Cohorts 4 and 5 of the Phase I/IIa trial of RGX-314 for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). The Company plans to initiate a pivotal program for subretinal delivery of RGX-314 in patients with wet AMD by the end of 2020. In addition, REGENXBIO today announced that a Phase II trial of RGX-314 for the treatment of wet AMD delivered to the suprachoroidal space (AAVIATE) is active and expected to enroll patients in the third quarter of 2020.

America’s Bio and Pharma Manufacturing Renaissance (Tuesday, September 15, 2020 1:00 – 4:00 pm EDT)

The Covid-19 Pandemic vividly demonstrates the need for rethinking ways to manufacture biological materials and create sustainable medical product supply lines for the United States. New program funding, new regulatory schemes and new community engagement are all solutions as we witness the renaissance of life science manufacturing in the US from Delaware to Alabama to California. Join a discussion of best bio and pharma manufacturing practices, public policies and programs to help the US respond to the Covid-19 Pandemic and create a more resilient manufacturing infrastructure.

The Frederick Innovative Technology Center’s (FITCI) Edge Accelerator Program Mentoring the Next Generation of Frederick, Maryland Life Science Startups · BioBuzz

The Frederick Innovative Technology Center business incubator and accelerator, or FITCI, as it is better known, has been a linchpin for the Frederick, Maryland life science ecosystem for more than 15 years. BioHealth Capital Region signature companies like RoosterBio, Inc., BioFactura, Theradaptive, KempBio (now Kemp Proteins), and Bridgepath Scientific all made their start at FITCI.

Image: https://biobuzz.io

Face to Face with Chancellor Perman – UMB News

The year 2020 began with great promise and opportunity for the Aug. 6 guest of the weekly web-based program, Virtual Face to Face with Dr. Bruce Jarrell. After tearful goodbyes here at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), the University System of Maryland (USM) embraced former president Jay A. Perman, MD, as its new chancellor on Jan. 6.

Image: https://www.umaryland.edu

Johns Hopkins Goes Fully Remote for Fall, Urges Students Not to Come to Campus

The Johns Hopkins University on Thursday reversed plans to bring undergraduate students back for in-person classes, housing, or activities, urging them to stay away from Baltimore for the fall semester. Employees, the campus said, should expect to work from home through the end of the year.

Image: COURTESY OF JOHNS HOPKINS U.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Longwood Fund Launch CF Incubator

Today the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announced a collaboration with Longwood Fund, a biotech-focused venture capital firm, to accelerate innovative therapies for cystic fibrosis. Together, Longwood and the CF Foundation are dedicating resources to advance projects with transformative potential and incentivize early stage companies to prioritize CF drug discovery and development. The Foundation has committed $20 million to the collaboration as part of its Path to a Cure.

Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences | FNIH

Each year, the FNIH recognizes outstanding achievements by a promising young scientist in biomedical research by bestowing the Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences, a $100,000 award. The prize is made possible by a generous gift from philanthropist Ann Lurie.

The awardee is selected by a jury of six distinguished biomedical researchers including:

Is Telemedicine Here to Stay?

Telemedicine is having its moment. Over the last few months, millions of people have relied on video or telephone calls to talk to their doctors. But as the pandemic moves across the United States, and eventually recedes in some places, how long will the moment last?

Trump order threatens small biotechs driving COVID innovation | TheHill

Pfizer’s disclosure last week that it may reverse plans to in-shore manufacturing facilities and science jobs to the United States is just the tip of the iceberg of the problems we’ll face if President Trump implements his executive order to implement foreign reference pricing to determine drug prices under Medicare.

COVID-19 Patients Exhibit Early Antibody Signatures Potentially Predictive of Death or Recovery

Researchers at the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, and the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine, have identified five immune response markers that, collectively, were able to distinguish between those COVID-19 patients who convalesced from the infection, and those who didn’t survive the disease. The researchers used a systems serology technique to generate a detailed profile of SARS-Co-2-specific humoral—antibody generating—responses in hospitalized patients, which they validated in a second patient cohort. The findings indicated that individuals who survived COVID-19 infection and those who died exhibited antibody responses that were primarily directed against different SARS-CoV-2 proteins.

Image: NIH

Johns Hopkins moves to virtual learning for fall, tells students not to return to Baltimore | TheHill

Johns Hopkins University became the latest school to announce that it will be conducting classes for the upcoming fall semester virtually, one of the many institutions of higher education to forgo in-person learning as the coronavirus pandemic rages.

This follows the spring 2020 semester that was moved online during the onset of the virus.

Image: https://thehill.com

Novavax Announces Positive Phase 1 Data for its COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate | Novavax Inc. – IR Site

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX), a late-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, today announced Phase 1 data from its Phase 1/2 randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of its COVID‑19 vaccine with and without Matrix‑M™ adjuvant in healthy adults 18-59 years of age. NVX‑CoV2373, the Company’s recombinant COVID-19 vaccine candidate adjuvanted with Matrix-M, was generally well-tolerated and elicited robust antibody responses numerically superior to that seen in human convalescent sera. The data have been submitted for peer-review to a scientific journal and to an online preprint server at medRxiv.org.

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