BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives Archives - Page 34 of 65

Nov 06 2018

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328th Edition – November 6, 2018

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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November 6, 2018

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

Baltimore’s Gemstone Biotherapeutics Poised to Transform Wound Care Market

In the U.S. alone, there are over 100 million chronic wound visits every year. By 2020, the general wound care market is expected to hit about $20.5 billion. Maryland’s Gemstone Biotherapeutics aims to address this market with a highly tunable, novel biosynthetic wound healing product that is heading towards FDA review. Now with a 2019 Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) grant award they are drawing a lot of attention as a company to watch in the regenerative medicine space.

Novavax Appoints Rachel King to Board of Directors – NASDAQ.com

Novavax, Inc., (Nasdaq:NVAX) today announced the appointment of Rachel King, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of GlycoMimetics, Inc., to its Board of Directors. In addition to extensive experience as an executive in the biotechnology industry, Mrs. King has also worked in the venture capital side of life sciences, and has held executive positions within a global multinational pharmaceutical company.

OpGen Collaborates With QIAGEN to Advance Rapid Diagnostics for Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria Nasdaq:OPGN

OpGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPGN) today announced a collaboration with QIAGEN N.V. to advance rapid diagnostics for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Strengthening OpGen’s entry into the United States market, the companies have entered into an agreement to commercialize a new solution for the detection of multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens based on QIAGEN’s EZ1 Advanced XL automated nucleic acid purification instrumentation (EZ1) and kits for the United States. The EZ1 will be utilized in the test workflow for the Acuitas® AMR Gene Panel u5.47 products. The AMR Gene Panel family of rapid diagnostics tests has been designed to detect and identify multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens in urine and bacterial isolates in approximately two hours. The test was developed for use with the Acuitas Lighthouse® Software for predicting antibiotic resistance and high-resolution pathogen tracking. The AMR Gene Panel u5.47 and the Acuitas Lighthouse Software are currently available for Research Use Only (RUO).

Washington Business Journal Recognizes Emmes in Two “Top Company” Lists

The Emmes Corporation today announced that it was named one of the largest women-owned businesses in the Washington metropolitan area by the Washington Business Journal. Emmes was ranked the sixth largest women-owned business in the Washington region, up from number seven last year.

Getting Paid for Your BioHealth Innovation – Reimbursement Planning (11/14)

How do you obtain coverage and payment for your technology?
Is the process different for medical devices from diagnostics or therapeutics?
Can digital apps be reimbursed?
How do I work with bundled payments?
What is the process for securing reimbursement codes? Do I need different strategies based upon the point of care?
How much do I need to budget for a reimbursement strategy? When do I need one?
How to I talk to investors about my reimbursement strategy?

Learn the answers to these questions and more through the November 14th PathFinder Innovation Program. (There is no charge to attend in person or by videoconference, however, pre-registration by NOON, 11/13 is required).

8:15 a.m. Networking and Coffee
8:30 a.m. – Issues Overview (in person/by videoconference)
- Speakers: Brian Abraham, Founder, Lara Reimbursement Advisory
- Luis Gutierrez, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, NHLBI and BioHealth Innovation
9:30 a.m. – 1:1 Office Hours (in person/by videoconference)*

This program is cosponsored by BioHealth Innovation, Launch Workplaces, TEDCO and Montgomery County. It is open to anyone in the BioHealth Capital Region.

To register/For more information, email: BHI@BioHealthInnovation. (In person 1:1 scheduling: www.tinyurl.com/BHIappointments.)

*Attendance at Overview in person/by videoconference required to participate in 1:1 sessions.

Reinstatement of NIH SBIR Direct-to-Phase II Authority and Associated Updates to NIH SBIR Omnibus Solicitations

A ‘Direct-to-Phase II’ SBIR award is a Phase II award issued to a small business that did not receive a Phase I award for that research/research & development. Recent legislation has re-instated this SBIR Direct Phase II provision through Fiscal Year 2022 and NIH is re-implementing the SBIR Direct-to-Phase II program. The prior program had specific SBIR Direct-to-Phase II funding opportunity announcements (FOAs). These will not be needed now. The transition to FORMS-E allows NIH to track SBIR Direct-to-Phase II applications using a new check-box on the SBIR/STTR Information Form for Direct Phase II

Thermo Fisher Scientific opens new biorepository in Maryland, US – Pharma Business review

Thermo Fisher Scientific, a biotech product development company, has inaugurated a new business center and biorepository in Frederick, located in the US state of Maryland.

Cerecor Announces Submission of Three Orphan Drug Designation Requests for Substrate Replacement Therapies to treat Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation

Cerecor Inc. (NASDAQ: CERC), a biopharmaceutical company focused on becoming a leader in development and commercialization of treatments for rare and orphan diseases in pediatrics and neurology, announced today that it has submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) three Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) Requests for substrate replacement therapies to treat ultra-rare inherited metabolic disorders known as Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDGs).

Indivumed opens US-Headquarter in Frederick, MD: Indivumed

With a symposium about „Personalized Medicine Depends on Tissue Quality“ and an opening ceremony in presence of Benjamin Wu, Maryland Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Jan Gardner, Frederick County Executive and members of the County Council as well as 120 international guests the new Indivumed Headquarter was officially opened.

Southern Research completes $13 million renovation of Frederick facility – Southern Research

Southern Research marked the completion of a $13 million renovation project at its Frederick Infectious Disease Research Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today attended by local leaders, state officials and research sponsors.

Wound Care Advantage taps Tissue Analytics for AI, smartphone offering | MobiHealthNews

Sierra Madre, California-based Wound Care Advantage, a manager of outpatient wound treatment centers, has partnered with Baltimore-based Tissue Analytics to use the digital health startup’s technology to measure wounds and develop improved treatment protocols.

Here’s how an AstraZeneca spinout deal gets done – Baltimore Business Journal

AstraZeneca PLC’s research and development arm MedImmune Inc. spun off a small biotech startup company called Viela Bio.

Job Opportunity: Associate Entrepreneur-in-Residence

BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI), is a Montgomery County innovation intermediary which translates market-relevant research into commercial success by bringing together management, funding, and markets. BHI is seeking an early stage life sciences professional with market research or portfolio management experience to join the BHI EIR team and serve as an associate Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This position will report to and work closely with our lead at the NIH Office of the Director, Office of Extramural Research (OER) at the Bethesda, MD campus. The Associate will provide analyst and project support to the EIR team on product, corporate and private investment strategy advisory for companies which have SBIR/STTR awards. This will entail market, technology, regulatory and other business intelligence research to support EIR consulting and coaching of companies. The Associate will also undertake the alliance management responsibilities with collaborating organizations such as the Angel Capital Association or others with which the OER establishes relationships.

The NIH is the world’s largest early stage biomedical investor providing nondilutive funding for US companies in the form of grants and contracts through the SBIR/STTR program. In FY19 the Congressional funds set aside for company funding exceeds $1B USD. The EIR program supports NIH interests in commercial success of its SBIR/STTR portfolio companies.

POSITION DESCRIPTION – Associate Entrepreneur-In-Residence

The Associate EIR will work directly with BHI EIRs, NIH program staff and NIH portfolio companies to provide financial and technical analyst services for both SBIR/STTR portfolio companies and NIH programs. As the program grows to encompass relationships and collaborations with outside organizations and entities, the Associate will also manage projects, alliances and deliverables as necessary. In addition, the Associate EIR will support both support existing trans-NIH initiatives for early stage companies and as support the growth of new initiatives.

PIC MC RISE Zone Celebration and Ribbon Cutting

The PIC MC Foundation Board of Directors invites you to celebrate a significant milestone in the development of PIC MC. Join us, along with state and local leaders, for the

PIC MC RISE Zone Celebration and Ribbon Cutting

Date:

Monday, November 26, from 2–3:30 p.m. (Program begins promptly at 2:15 p.m.) Speakers to include Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett

Location:

PIC MC Germantown Campus High Technology and Science Center (HT), Globe Hall (click on map for parking) 20200 Observation Drive Germantown, Maryland 20876 Parking for this event will be in LOT 4.

For more information on this event or to RSVP, contact Melanie Kandel, 240-567-8062

What’s next for RightEye following FDA approval – Washington Business Journal

Bethesda health tech company RightEye LLC is finally moving beyond the research and development phase.

Alexandria Real Estate’s Marcus on Interest Rates, Drug Pricing – Bloomberg

Joel Marcus, chairman at Alexandria Real Estate Equities, discusses the risk of rising interest rates, how government action on drug pricing could impact the firm’s pharmaceutical tenants, and exploring opportunities in the agriculture technology sector. He speaks with Bloomberg’s Erik Schatzker from the Robin Hood Investors Conference on “Bloomberg Markets.”

TEDCO’s Builder Fund is closing the investment gap for more entrepreneurs – Technical.ly DC

Although we’re told business isn’t personal, the reality is that business is built on relationships.

In other words, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. And if the numbers tell us anything, it’s that socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs need more chances to connect to new networks that have the resources to push their businesses forward.

QIAGEN expands QIAGEN Clinical Insight software to support all major sequencing platforms and assay types

QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today announced the launch of major enhancements to QIAGEN Clinical Insight (QCI) bioinformatics solutions to deliver expanded Sample to Insight workflows for clinical next-generation sequencing (NGS). QIAGEN introduced QCI Analyze Universal for full end-to-end workflow support of all major clinical sequencing platforms and assay types, along with expanded QCI capabilities for interpretation of biomarkers in immuno-oncology as well as other enhancements, at the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) Annual Meeting & Expo from November 1-3, 2018, in San Antonio, Texas.

CEL-SCI RECEIVES ABOUT $8 MILLION FROM WARRANT EXERCISES

CEL-SCI Corporation (NYSE American: CVM) announced today it has received just under $8 million through the exercise of warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock during the past 3 months. As of October 22, 2018, CEL-SCI had 28,271,615 outstanding shares of common stock.

FounderTrac Demo Day

Tuesday ,November 6, 2018 6:15 PM – 8:30 PM, Hotel Annapolis126 West StreetAnnapolis, MD 21401

FounderTrac invites you to Demo Day!

The FounderTrac accelerator ‘connects the dots’ by creating an inclusive environment that combines curriculum, capital, mentorship, and community. FounderTrac is an elite accelerator where impactful founders work in a high-performance environment that inspires and weaponizes them to become “fulfillionaires” (founders who achieve venture success while doing fulfilling work). FounderTrac is a Partnership between The Maryland Tech Council, LAUNCH! Annapolis, MCVC Partners and TEDCO to bring a community-based accelerator to Annapolis, MD.

Neuralstem Announces $2.1 Million Registered Direct Offering

Neuralstem, Inc. (Nasdaq:CUR), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for nervous system diseases, today announced that it has entered into definitive agreements with institutional investors for the purchase of 3,000,000 shares of its common stock, at a purchase price per share of $0.70, in a registered direct offering. Additionally, Neuralstem has also agreed to issue to the investors unregistered warrants to purchase up to 3,000,000 shares of its common stock. The closing of the offering is expected to take place on or about October 29, 2018, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

RegeneRx Partner Updates on Clinical Trials – Oct 29, 2018

RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: RGRX) (“the Company” or “RegeneRx”), a clinical-stage drug development company focused on tissue protection, repair and regeneration, today announced a clinical trial update provided by GtreeBNT, RegeneRx’s partner for development of RGN-259 and RGN-137 in the U.S.:

Epigenomics AG Obtains CE Mark for Liquid Biopsy Test for Liver Cancer Detection

Epigenomics AG (FSE: ECX, OTCQX: EPGNY) today announced that it has received CE Mark for its blood test to aid in detecting liver cancer among patients with cirrhosis two months ahead of schedule. The test will be commercialized under the brand name “HCCBloodTest”. In 2019, the company plans to initiate a prospective clinical trial in the U.S. for submission to the FDA. Additionally, Epigenomics is evaluating options to expedite CFDA approval in China.

Local entrepreneurs enter shark tank at Shore Hatchery – 47abc

The Shore Hatchery here at Salisbury University has become one of the premiere opportunities for local entrepreneurs and Friday over a dozen were making their pitch in hopes of receiving part of $200,000 in funding.

Aledade raises $23 million — again – Washington Business Journal

The new funding includes a $15 million investment from Palo Alto-based Meritech Capital Partners.

3D bioprinted lungs to be available for global transplants – ISRAEL21c

CollPlant, an Israeli regenerative medicine company focused on 3D bioprinting of tissues and organs, signed a license, development and commercialization agreement with United Therapeutics Corporation of Maryland for 3D bioprinted lung transplants.

Life sciences VC investment trends similar to tech, but there are differences – MedCity News

Venture capital investing has already reached a 10-year high in 2018, according to a report last week. However, while investment trends in life sciences have been similar to those in technology generally, a venture capital investor specializing in life sciences said there are some significant underlying differences too.

Ex-NEA GP Viswanathan raising $1.3 bln related to secondary deal – PE Hub

New Enterprise Associates this spring appointed former General Partner Ravi Viswanathan to the job of selling about $1 billion of its portfolio holdings in an unusual secondary transaction. This week, Viswanathan filed a regulatory document to raise a $1.35 billion

Illumina to buy Pacific Biosciences for $1.2 billion – MedCity News

One of the largest companies involved in next-generation sequencing technology is buying a rival that manufactures genomic analysis systems.

Inside 3675 Market, Philadelphia’s Newest Innovation Hub

On November 9th, 3675 Market Street will officially open its doors to the public about two years after its ceremonial groundbreaking. So far, the 14-story building is exactly what its partners — the Science Center, Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), Wexford Science and Technology, BioLabs and Ventas — promised it would be, a 345,000 square foot mixed-use property that houses lab, clinical, office, educational, event and co-working space. The Science Center is relocating its headquarters there, leasing 50,000 square feet of the property, and the organization has even turned is ever-popular Quorum entrepreneur’s clubhouse into a two-story 15,000-square-foot hub that’s now accessible from the ground level.

AbbVie Follows Trend of Big Pharma Setting Office-Labs in Biotech Clusters – BioSpace

In what appears to be a trend, big pharma company AbbVie is leasing 479,000 square feet of space in BioMed Realty’s Gateway of Pacific project in South San Francisco. It is an example of big pharma companies setting up offices and labs in the midst of one of the country’s biggest biotech clusters.

CMS will cover virtual care for the first time – MedCity News

On November 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized changes to the 2019 Physician Fee Schedule and the Quality Payment Program.

One of the adjustments involves telehealth.

Johnson & Johnson Innovation Announces Extension of JJIPO @ QUT in Collaboration with Queensland State Government to Further Boost Life-Science Innovation in Queensland | Business Wire

Johnson & Johnson Innovation announced the extension of the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Partnering Office at Queensland University of Technology (JJIPO @ QUT) for three years in collaboration with the Queensland State Government at the AusBiotech National Conference in Brisbane yesterday.

Oct 30 2018

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327th Edition – October 30, 2018

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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October 30, 2018

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

Viewpoint: We need a federal authority to boost ‘tech transfer’ – Washington Business Journal

By Rich Bendis and Brian Darmody

While Maryland boasts world-class universities and many private sector firms, the major reason it ranks No. 1 in the country in per capita research spending is the presence of 74 federal research laboratories, such as the National Institutes of Health.

BHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence Feedback Sessions

Are you a start-up in Maryland, DC or Virginia seeking feedback on your biohealth business idea, pitch deck, or commercialization plan? business/commercialization plan, pitch deck, or idea?

Schedule your feedback session with BHI EIRs on one of the following dates:

10/31
12/5
2/13
3/20
5/22

(30 minute blocks of time beginning at 9:00 in the morning. If the morning slots are filled, more time will be allotted beginning at 1 p.m.)

Pre-registration is required; sign up here (“EIR resource”at BHI). For questions/more information, contact BHI.

REGENXBIO Announces Additional Positive Interim Phase I Trial Update for RGX-314 for the Treatment of Wet AMD at the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2018 Annual Meeting

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 updated results from the ongoing Phase I study of RGX-314 for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).

United Therapeutics, CollPlant partner for 3D-printed organs – Washington Business Journal

United Therapeutics is putting millions more toward an effort to pioneer organ manufacturing and transplantation.

BioHealth CEO/Consulting Opportunities

Are you an experienced biohealth industry executive seeking full time or part time employment as a consultant or start-up C suite executive? BioHealth Innovation is establishing a database of experienced industry executives who may be able to share their expertise with early stage/growing companies. To be considered by companies or technology transfer organizations seeking leaders for their spin-out companies and/or advisors to support their business growth, please send your Vita to BHI@BioHealthInnovation.org. Please include the following in your email.

Position Sought – FT, PT, Consultant (list any/all that apply)

Compensation – (Minimum hourly/annual)

Willing to take deferred compensation in exchange for equity? (Y/N)

Date available

Other

PathFinder Innovation Program

BHI and Launch Workplaces are co-hosting a series of education and 1:1 consulting sessions on topics of interest to early stage biohealth and technology companies. These sessions are open to all start-ups in the BioHealth Capital Region (with priority on 1:1 office hours given to Montgomery County Innovation Center tenants). Find your path for business growth with experts on a wide range of topics.

Each program begins with an overview of issues related to the day’s topic with lessons learned and best practices from experts in the field and companies which have been through the process. Attendees can sign up for 1:1 meetings with the experts after the overview sessions to discuss their specific scenarios more in depth. Companies participating in at least 5 sessions will have the ability to apply for a small matching grant (awarded competitively) to advance their commercialization activities. [more info]

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

8:15 a.m. – Networking

8:30 – 9:20 a.m. – Panel with Q & A

9:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m. – 1:1 meetings*

11/14 – CMS Reimbursement – Germantown Innovation Center
11/28 – Legal Issues for Early Stage Companies – Rockville Innovation Center
1/23 – Tax Implications for Startups – Silver Spring Innovation Center
1/29 – Fundraising (SBIR) – Location TBD
2/27 – Fundraising – Other (nonSBIR nondilutive and dilutive) – Germantown Innovation Center
3/27 – Successful Marketing & PR Strategies – Rockville Innovation Center
4/24 – Selling to the Government – Silver Spring Innovation Center
5/15 – Pricing Factors – Rockville Innovation Center
6/12 – Staff Recruitment and Retention – Germantown Innovation Center

*Space will be available for you to work while you are waiting for your 1:1 meeting.

No fee but, PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED:

To RSVP, for the overview session(s), send your contact information and the date(s) of the program(s) you plan to attend to email BHI.

To schedule your 1:1 meeting(s) with consultant(s), click here.

MoCo college to target economic development with new ‘RISE Zone’ – Washington Business Journal

Developers qualify if they fill buildings with biotech and cyber firms.

TaiRx, Inc. and BioHealth Innovation, Inc. Form TaiRx US to Develop and Commercialize Therapeutics and Precision Medicine Diagnostics

TaiRx, Inc and BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) announced today the formation of TaiRx US, a new joint venture. The mission of the new company is to develop therapeutics and precision medicine diagnostics focused on the Nodal protein, a critical mediator of aggressive cancer progression and treatment resistance.

TaiRx, Inc and BHI have formed TaiRx US, which will be based in Rockville (Montgomery County), Maryland, to develop and commercialize a unique monoclonal antibody with the potential to reverse drug resistance in various tumor types. The company is also working to develop a companion diagnostic to accurately identify those patients who can best benefit from the therapy.

How Stem Cell Innovation Has Advanced Neuroscience Research – Psychology Today

One of the gating factors in studying the human brain is having the ability to conduct research on actual functioning human brain tissue. As a result, many scientific studies are conducted on rodents as a mammalian proxy. The drawback to this approach is that rodent brains are different in structure and function. According to Johns Hopkins, structurally, the human brain is approximately 30 percent neurons and 70 percent glia, while the mouse brain has the opposite ratio [1].

University of Maryland School of Medicine to tackle diseases in major new Baltimore research center – Baltimore Sun

The University of Maryland School of Medicine plans to cut the ribbon on the university system’s largest academic building ever Wednesday, a $305 million tower on Baltimore Street that officials say will vastly expand the institution’s ability to understand and treat diseases.

10 impact-focused ventures enter Johns Hopkins Social Innovation Lab – Technical.ly Baltimore

Johns Hopkins’ Social Innovation Lab is kicking off a new cohort of early-stage social enterprises addressing challenges around education, health and blight, among others.

VERALOX Therapeutics and Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. – Success Story – Baltimore Business Journal

Thrombocytopenia is a big word that can carry big consequences for those struggling with rare blood disorders, especially among those using heparin to treat and prevent blood clots. But, help is on the way. The National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recently awarded VERALOX Therapeutics, a small molecule drug discovery and development company, a $319,133 Small Business Innovation Research grant to develop a novel therapeutic for patients suffering from heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HIT/HITT).

GSK developing TB vaccine – Livemint

In what can be termed as a milestone in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), a vaccine by pharma major GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) could be the first new jab against the infectious disease developed in a century.

Altimmune CEO Bill Enright to depart – Washington Business Journal

The chief executive will stay in his role, and on the board, until his successor is appointed or early next year, whichever comes first.

AstraZeneca strengthens and expands oncology development and commercialisation collaboration with Innate Pharma

AstraZeneca, and its global biologics research and development arm MedImmune, today announced a new multi-term agreement with Innate Pharma (Innate), building on an existing collaboration, aimed at accelerating each company’s oncology portfolio and bringing new medicines to patients more quickly. The extended collaboration will enrich AstraZeneca’s immuno-oncology (IO) portfolio with pre-clinical and clinical potential new medicines.

U.S. Life Science Real Estate Sector Keeps Expanding

A growing seniors population and increasing prevalence of high-cost diseases like diabetes has generated a surge in funding for healthcare research in recent years and, along with it, demand for life science-biotech lab space.

United States Is The Most Competitive Economy: World Economic Forum | Newgeography.com

The United States is rated as the world’s most competitive economy according to the Global Competitiveness Report 2018, which is published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The World Economic Forum sponsors the well publicized and invitation only annual meeting at Davos, in the Swiss Alps each winter.

The Galien Foundation Announces 2018 #PrixGalien Award Recipients

The Prix Galien USA Committee last night honored excellence in the biopharmaceutical and medical industry for research, development and innovation at its 12th annual Prix Galien Awards Gala, held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. In recognition of the development and discovery of products that improve the human condition, a committee of highly accomplished scientific leaders, inclusive of four Novel Laureates, recognized winners in three categories: “Best Pharmaceutical Product,” “Best Biotechnology Product,” and “Best Medical Technology.” This year, the Committee has chosen two winners in the Biotechnology category.

Foundation for the NIH Bestows the Inaugural Trailblazer Prize for Clinician-Scientists to Dr. Michael Fox | FNIH

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) awarded to Michael Fox, M.D., Ph.D., of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School the inaugural Trailblazer Prize for Clinician-Scientists (Trailblazer Prize) at the FNIH Annual Fall Board Dinner in Washington, D.C. Dr. Fox received the Trailblazer Prize and a $10,000 honorarium for pioneering innovative techniques to map human brain connectivity that can be translated into new treatments for neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease and depression. The Trailblazer Prize is made possible by a generous donation from John I. Gallin, M.D., and Elaine Gallin, Ph.D., to the FNIH.

How a Pharma Company Applied Machine Learning to Patient Data

The growing availability of real-world data has generated tremendous excitement in health care. By some estimates, health data volumes are increasing by 48% annually, and the last decade has seen a boom in the collection and aggregation of this information. Among these data, electronic health records (EHRs) offer one of the biggest opportunities to produce novel insights and disrupt the current understanding of patient care.

Railing against ‘global freeloading,’ Trump offers plan to lower drug prices – STAT

President Trump on Thursday blasted pharmaceutical companies for having “rigged the system” against American consumers by charging higher prices in the U.S. than they do abroad, announcing a new proposal he says will help even out those differences.

A Year of Historic Action to Combat the Opioid Crisis – The White House

One year ago this week, President Donald J. Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. Ever since, the Trump Administration has applied an all-of-Government approach to the epidemic, allowing each agency and department to do their part to help the cause.

Gotham Therapeutics Launches in New York City with $54 Million Series A Financing – BioSpace

Gotham Therapeutics launched in New York with a $54 million Series A financing. The round was co-led by founding investor Versant Ventures, Forbion and S.R. One. The investment syndicate included Celgene Corporation and Alexandria Venture Investments.

Oct 24 2018

Love0

326th Edition – October 23, 2018

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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October 23, 2018

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

TaiRx, Inc. and BioHealth Innovation, Inc. Form TaiRx US to Develop and Commercialize Therapeutics and Precision Medicine Diagnostics

2018 BioHealth Capital Region Investment Conference Presentation by Rich Bendis

Top 3 by 2023

State of the BioHealth Capital Region’s EcoSystem

Rich Bendis

President & CEO, BioHealth Innovation Inc.

La Petite Noiseuse Productions Co-Founder and Chief Science and Art Officer Monica Lopez, PhD joins Rich Bendis on BioTalk

Correction: This story originally published on 10/16 included a 2nd paragraph referencing a previous guest of BioTalk and not Monica Lopez, PhD.

La Petite Noiseuse Productions Co-Founder and Executive Scientific & Artistic Director Monica Lopez, Ph.D. joins BioTalk Host Rich Bendis to discuss her career path, their consulting services, science-art integration, multidisciplinary thinking and doing in healthcare, and STEM-STEAMM education for workplace challenges of the future.

Dr. Lopez is a multilingual cognitive scientist, educator, entrepreneur, multidisciplinary artist, public speaker, and writer. At her company, Dr. Lopez leads a unique R&D program within creativity and human intelligence with the goal of advancing artificial intelligence. The result has been a novel model that merges the cognitive brain sciences with the arts, and forms the basis of the company’s consulting services in different industries (healthcare, autonomous systems, education, entertainment, and cyber) with clients from Boston, New York, and San Francisco and Europe (France, Belgium, Austria, United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany). To prepare leaders for the challenges of tomorrow, Dr. Lopez has created since 2009, as faculty at Johns Hopkins University and Peabody Institute, a STEAMM education platform. Prior to co-founding her company, she worked in business development, product evaluation, marketing, communications, and strategic partnering in various languages. Dr. Lopez is a frequent keynote and plenary speaker and panelist at international and national venues. She holds BA degrees in Psychology and French, and a MA and PhD in Cognitive Science, all from Johns Hopkins University, a Certificate of Art in Photography from Maryland Institute College of Art, and was a postdoctoral fellow at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Lopez has been recognized as a “particularly imaginative polymath” by the Imagination Institute of the University of Pennsylvania’s Positive Psychology Center. She has been a Salzburg Global Seminar Fellow and distinguished guest with their Board of Directors.

Listen now on iTunes , Google Play , and TuneIn.

BHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence Feedback Sessions

Are you a start-up in Maryland, DC or Virginia seeking feedback on your biohealth business idea, pitch deck, or commercialization plan? business/commercialization plan, pitch deck, or idea?

Schedule your feedback session with BHI EIRs on one of the following dates:

10/31
12/5
2/13
3/20
5/22

(30 minute blocks of time beginning at 9:00 in the morning. If the morning slots are filled, more time will be allotted beginning at 1 p.m.)

Pre-registration is required; sign up here (“EIR resource”at BHI). For questions/more information, contact BHI.

FDA again approves record-breaking number of generic drugs

The Food and Drug Administration approved or tentatively approved a record-setting 971 generic drugs in fiscal year 2018 that ended last month, the agency announced on Thursday.

Viela Bio Announces Late-Breaking Abstract Acceptance for VIB4920, a Novel Engineered CD40L Antagonist, at the 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

Viela Bio heads to the 2018 American College of Rheumatology / Association of Rheumatology for Health Professionals (ACR/ARHP) Annual Meeting in Chicago, 19-24 October 2018, with a late-breaking poster presentation for a novel engineered CD40L antagonist, VIB4920.

VLP Therapeutics Announces Issuance of US Patent for Dengue Vaccine – VLP Therapeutics

VLP Therapeutics announced the issuance of US Patent 10,098,943 titled, “Flavivirus virus-like particle” on October 16, 2018. This patent supports VLP Therapeutics’ Native Virus Modification virus-like particle platform on which the Company’s dengue vaccine is based and which could form the basis for other flavivirus vaccines. The patent relates to a virus-like particle vaccine comprising flavivirus structural proteins to prevent or treat flavivirus infection. Flavivirus includes dengue virus, West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis C virus, and Zika virus.

Rexahn Announces $7.5 Million Registered Direct Offering – Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE American: RNN) today announced it has entered into definitive agreements with institutional investors to purchase approximately 5.77 million shares of its common stock and warrants exercisable for up to approximately 5.77 million shares of its common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $7.5 million. The shares and warrants are being sold in units, each consisting of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of common stock, at an offering price of $1.30 per unit. The warrants will be exercisable six months following the date of issuance, will expire on the fifth anniversary of the initial exercise date and will have an exercise price of $1.67 per share. The closing of the offering is expected to take place on or about October 19, 2018, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

American Gene Technologies Granted FDA Orphan Drug Designation For Phenylketonuria | American Gene Technology

American Gene Technologies (AGT), a leading gene and cell therapy company in the discovery and development of lentiviral vector based therapeutics, announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received orphan-drug designation #DRU-2018-6572 for the treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU) using its proprietary, lentiviral vector based technology. PKU is a debilitating inherited disease affecting 1 in 13,500 children born in the U.S. Mandatory screening identifies affected children who can be supported with a strict synthetic diet that does not cure disease. If successful, AGT’s lentiviral vector approach will provide a permanent cure, improving quality of life for more than 16,000 people living with PKU in the U.S. alone.

JHU startup PathoVax raises $2.75M, grows team – Technical.ly Baltimore

PathoVax, a Johns Hopkins–born startup developing a vaccine for human papillomavirus virus (HPV), raised $2.75 million in new funding, cofounder Joshua Wang said.

Job Opportunity: VICE PRESIDENT FOR DEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI RELATIONS at Montgomery College

Based in Rockville, MD

Management Recruiters – Mid Hudson Valley is an executive search firm focused solely in serving the nonprofit sector. We have a national practice and the large majority of our placements are executive leadership and senior fundraising professionals.

Our client is Montgomery College, a community college of more than 60,000 students in Montgomery County, MD. The College is seeking a Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations who also serves as the Executive Director of the Montgomery College Foundation. The position is a College employee.

Competing for Kids’ Health – Maryland Today

Children benefit from little of the $156 billion annual U.S. market for medical devices, but a “Shark Tank”-inspired partnership between the University of Maryland and Children’s National Health System is looking to change that.

United Therapeutics to Develop CollPlant Technologies for 3D Bioprinted Lung Transplants – GEN

United Therapeutics will license, develop, and commercialize CollPlant Holdings’ recombinant human collagen (rhCollagen) and BioInk technology for 3D bioprinting of solid-organ scaffolds for human transplants, the companies said today, through a collaboration that could generate more than $44 million.

Time to Reconsider GlycoMimetics Inc After Less Short Sellers? – WhatsOnThorold

Investors sentiment decreased to 1.37 in 2018 Q2. Its down 0.26, from 1.63 in 2018Q1. It dived, as 22 investors sold GlycoMimetics, Inc. shares while 16 reduced holdings. 25 funds opened positions while 27 raised stakes. 45.91 million shares or 6.89% more from 42.95 million shares in 2018Q1 were reported.

A New Targeted Cancer Company To Watch

Jean Cui led the invention of Pfizer’s Xalkori. Now she has her own company focusing on drug-resistant cancers, and it has raised $147 million.

3 ways HHS can help medtech innovators – Medical Design and Outsourcing

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is doing everything from sharing more data to cultivating entrepreneurial talent and engaging in partnerships in order to support medical device innovators, the department’s CTO Ed Simcox told than 100 industry insiders in the Twin Cities today.

Pharma firmly in the mix as healthcare embraces ‘open innovation’ – MM&M – Medical Marketing and Media

Pharma hasn’t traditionally been known as a sector that welcomed innovation from the outside. But now companies are putting “not invented here” bias aside as they seek to widen their aperture for innovation.

Maryland Cybersecurity Career & Education Fair – Nov. 9-10, Rockville, MD

The Cybersecurity Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAMI) and Universities at Shady Grove invite you to attend their November 9 & 10 Maryland Cybersecurity Career & Education Fair.

Maryland is at the forefront of our nation’s rapidly growing cyber market and opportunities abound for professionals in our region—both those who are new to the field, and long-time members of the industry. Join us at the Universities at Shady Grove for two dynamic days that put on display why Maryland is where cyber works. Friday will feature a career and education fair, connecting cybersecurity job seekers with opportunities across the state of Maryland. Those looking to expand their cybersecurity competency can also connect on-site with Maryland education and training resource. On Saturday, cyber warriors of high school through undergraduate skill levels are invited to compete in our “Catch the Phish: An AI Capture the Flag Event” cyber challenge.

The 50 Most Influential People in Health Care of 2018 – Time.com

Meet the physicians, scientists, and business and political leaders whose work is transforming health care right now

BioHealth CEO/Consulting Opportunities

Position Sought – FT, PT, Consultant (list any/all that apply)

Compensation – (Minimum hourly/annual)

Willing to take deferred compensation in exchange for equity? (Y/N)

Date available

Other

Oct 17 2018

Love0

325th Edition – October 16, 2018

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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October 16, 2018

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

Inaugural Investment Conference Marks Inflection Point for the BioHealth Capital Region · BioBuzz

The first Biohealth Capital Region Investment Conference kicks off this week in Montgomery County. The conference marks an important inflection point for a region whose entrepreneurs have been calling for more active investment resources for years. The event also fulfills a promise made by organizers at past BioHealth Capital Region Forums to bring more investment activity to the region.

Qiagen and Women in Bio Recognized at 5th Annual BioBowl

More than 300 representatives of companies from throughout the BioHealth Capital Region took over BowlMore Gaithersburg last Thursday for a fun evening of networking. The 5th annual BioBowl cohosted by MedImmune and BioHealth Innovation included teams from Baltimore and DC to Montgomery and Frederick counties. Qiagen took home the First Place prize and the Women in Bio event were recognized for their efforts with a Rubber Chicken Award.

La Petite Noiseuse Productions Co-Founder and Chief Science and Art Officer Monica Lopez, PhD joins Rich Bendis on BioTalk

Listen now on iTunes , Google Play , and TuneIn.

Montgomery County Moves Up in National Biopharma Rankings

Montgomery County is proving to be a premium address for the growing biotechnology sector.

The BioHealth Capital Region, which includes Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C., is ranked No. 4 on the 2018 list of top biopharma centers by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN). The cluster moves up from a No. 5 ranking in 2017.

GEN ranks regions nationally based on several factors, including National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, venture capital investment, patents, lab space and jobs in biotech.

Q&A With BeneVir Co-Founder, Katherine Sacksteder, PhD – The Path to a Landmark Acquisition (Part 1) · BioBuzz

This has been a year marked by many notable biotech deals, especially in the immunotherapy market. One deal, in particular, has generated more local excitement in the BioHealth Capital Region than any other; that is the BeneVir acquisition by Janssen, a JNJ company. Likewise, of the many startup stories and local entrepreneurs we’ve highlighted this past year, none is as unique and interesting as that of BeneVir Co-Founder and COO, Katherine (Katie) Sacksteder, PhD.

MaxCyte Begins Dosing in First Clinical Trial in Solid Tumors – American Pharmaceutical Review

MaxCyte announced the first patient has been dosed in its Phase I dose-escalation clinical trial in the United States with the company’s lead wholly-owned chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapeutic candidate, MCY-M11. The study is designed to evaluate MCY-M11, a mesothelin targeting CAR, in individuals with relapsed/refractory ovarian cancer and peritoneal mesothelioma.

Emergent BioSolutions Completes Acquisition of Specialty Vaccines Company PaxVax

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) announced today that it has completed its acquisition of PaxVax, a company focused on developing, manufacturing, and commercializing specialty vaccines that protect against existing and emerging infectious diseases. With the closing of this transaction, Emergent acquires two marketed vaccines – Vivotif® (Typhoid Vaccine Live Oral Ty21a), the only oral vaccine licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of typhoid fever, and Vaxchora® (Cholera Vaccine, Live, Oral), the only FDA-licensed vaccine for the prevention of cholera, a potentially serious intestinal disease, caused by Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1. The acquisition broadens the company’s development pipeline with vaccines that address adenovirus types 4 and 7, which are common causes of acute respiratory disease, and chikungunya, a viral disease spread to humans by infected mosquitoes that can cause severely debilitating joint pain. The acquisition also expands the company’s sales capabilities with a global specialty salesforce and marketing and distribution partners focused on the travelers’ market and establishes an international manufacturing footprint with European-based cGMP biologics facilities.

Lupin receives tentative FDA approval for generic Lurasidone Hydrochloride Tablets, 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg and 120 mg

Pharma major Lupin announced that it has received tentative approval for its Lurasidone Hydrochloride Tablets, 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg and 120 mg from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market a generic version of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s (Sunovion) Latuda Tablets, 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg and 120 mg.

Lupin’s Lurasidone Hydrochloride Tablets, 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg and 120 mg is the generic version of Sunovion’s Latuda Tablets, 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg and 120 mg.

M-CERSI Cooperative Agreement Grant Renewed by Food and Drug Administration – Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation

The University of Maryland Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (M-CERSI) has been renewed for funding under a cooperative agreement grant from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A collaborative partnership led by James Polli, PhD, the Shangraw/Noxell Endowed Chair in Industrial Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, and William E. Bentley, PhD, the Robert E. Fischell Distinguished Chair of Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), M-CERSI is one of only four FDA-funded CERSIs in the U.S., and the only CERSI to receive continuous funding from the FDA since it first launched in 2011. This latest renewal, which allows for up to $5 million per year over five years, will allow M-CERSI to continue its mission to contribute to modernizing and improving the ways in which drugs and medical devices are reviewed and evaluated.

AgeneBio gets grants to advance therapeutics to slow Alzheimer’s disease – Technical.ly Baltimore

Baltimore-based AgeneBio announced a pair of grants from the National Institutes of Health that will assist with clinical trials of a treatment to combat the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

15 emerging technologies that could reduce global catastrophic biological risks – EurekAlert! Science News

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security authors recommend dedicated attention to and investment in ‘potentially transformative’ technologies to complement traditional approaches to prevention, preparedness, and response

Valneva Receives FDA Approval for Accelerated Vaccine Dosing Schedule for IXIARO® – Press Release – Digital Journal

Valneva USA, the U.S. subsidiary of global vaccine biotech company Valneva SE, today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of an accelerated dosing regimen for IXIARO® (Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine, Inactivated, Adsorbed), the only vaccine approved in the United States indicated for protection against disease caused by Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus.

FDA awards $5 million to pediatric device consortium; New Consortium members include BioHealth Innovation – Children’s National

To foster development, production and marketing of the next generation of medical devices designed to meet growing children’s unique needs, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) awarded $5 million to the National Capital Consortium for Pediatric Device Innovation (NCC-PDI), led by Children’s National Health System and University of Maryland, College Park. New Consortium members include BioHealth Innovation, Inc., a Maryland-based innovation intermediary that supports the transformation of research projects into new business opportunities, and MedTech Innovator, a California-based virtual startup accelerator that matches health care industry leaders with early-stage and emerging growth medtech companies for mentorship and support. NCC-PDI’s affiliated members include industry leaders such as Smithwise, Epidarex, and Cadence.

Women Building Bio 2018 – Virginia Bio

Have you register for this year’s Women Building Bio event? The third Annual Women Building Bio Conference is taking place October 17 at the Inova Center for Personalized Health. This is a one-day regional conference converging extraordinary men and women, industry and academia, researchers and innovators, professionals and decision-makers gathering together to cultivate relationships and making an impact. Click here for the agenda and more information. (For a discount code, email BHI and register by 3 p.m., Tuesday, October 16th.)

PathFinder Innovation Program

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

8:15 a.m. – Networking

8:30 – 9:20 a.m. – Panel with Q & A

9:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m. – 1:1 meetings*

11/14 – CMS Reimbursement – Germantown Innovation Center
11/28 – Legal Issues for Early Stage Companies – Rockville Innovation Center
1/23 – Tax Implications for Startups – Silver Spring Innovation Center
1/29 – Fundraising (SBIR) – Location TBD
2/27 – Fundraising – Other (nonSBIR nondilutive and dilutive) – Germantown Innovation Center
3/27 – Successful Marketing & PR Strategies – Rockville Innovation Center
4/24 – Selling to the Government – Silver Spring Innovation Center
5/15 – Pricing Factors – Rockville Innovation Center
6/12 – Staff Recruitment and Retention – Germantown Innovation Center

*Space will be available for you to work while you are waiting for your 1:1 meeting.

No fee but, PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED:

To RSVP, for the overview session(s), send your contact information and the date(s) of the program(s) you plan to attend to email BHI.

To schedule your 1:1 meeting(s) with consultant(s), click here.

Fall 2018 Inova Discovery Series Registration, Wed, Nov 7, 2018 at 6:00 PM

We’re thrilled to announce Molly McCartin, Partner, Drive Capital, will be a featured speaker at the Fall 2018 Inova Discovery Series!

Molly McCartin is an investing partner with a focus on healthcare at Drive Capital, a venture capital firm based in Columbus, OH founded by two former Sequoia partners. Molly started her career at JP Morgan Chase in Equity Research. She then moved to 7Wire Ventures investing in healthcare companies that empower the health consumer. Molly spent the last four years at Livongo Health, helping the company grow from 6 employees to over 150 and over 200 customers. Molly graduated from MIT with a degree in Applied Math and Economics.

Healthcare companies rake in $23B in venture capital funding

U.S. healthcare companies have collected $23.4 billion in venture capital funding this year — already surpassing the amount the sector obtained in all of 2017, according to a recent report from Pitchbook, which tracks VC investments.

SBIR Office Hours

BioHealth Innovation sponsors quarterly office hours in Montgomery County and at Johns Hopkins Fast Forward (Fast Forward hours are for JHU innovators only).

BioHealth Capital Region innovators not located at Fast Forward can register for SBIR office hours on the following dates.

Tuesday – Nov 6, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Germantown Innovation Center
Wednesday – Nov 7, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Rockville Innovation Center
Tuesday – Feb 12, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Germantown Innovation Center
Wednesday –Feb 13, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Rockville Innovation Cente
Wednesday – May 8, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.- Germantown Innovation Center
Thursday — May 9, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Rockville Innovation Center

To register for the open sessions, click here. (BHI also will be hosting a more general SBIR overview with office hours on January 29, 2019. Mark your calendar; more details to follow.)

BioHealth CEO/Consulting Opportunities

Position Sought – FT, PT, Consultant (list any/all that apply)

Compensation – (Minimum hourly/annual)

Willing to take deferred compensation in exchange for equity? (Y/N)

Date available

Other

SparkLabs launches DC accelerator for cybersecurity and blockchain startups – Technical.ly DC

It’s cybersecurity month at Technical.ly and this new accelerator program is here to heat up the discussion.

What drives pharma m&a – McKinsey

There are lessons for other industries in the way pharma companies use mergers to innovate, work more efficiently, and bolster product portfolios.

Jonathan Aberman: You want funding? Follow this advice. – Washington Business Journal

However long a business has operated, investors will look for three big things if they are going to invest.

Innovation challenges are all the rage with pharma, and they’re likely here to stay: study | FiercePharma

The number of open innovation challenges in pharma grows by the day. But what’s driving them? That’s what Luminary Labs wanted to know. So the consultancy, which works with pharma and other industries to design and execute those kind of challenges, surveyed the executives at companies that run the contests and asked why and how they do it.

Top 10 European Biopharma Clusters, October 2018 – GEN

Europe’s biotech industry recently celebrated its growth and progress with more than 120 events taking place across 18 European countries September 24 –30, in what organizers call “European Biotech Week.”

VC Investment Jumps 51% Year-over-Year During Q3 – GEN

Biopharma venture capital activity maintained its red-hot pace during the third quarter of 2018, driven by a handful of deals exceeding $200 million, according to a report released this week.

CIT Announces FY2019 Solicitation for Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund

The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) announced today the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF) Request for Proposals (RFP) for FY2019.

2018 Oncologist National Workforce Study

Some big cities could see shortages of cancer specialists in the coming decade, according to a new analysis by Doximity, a social network for more than a million physicians. Researchers at the company delved into the data on oncologists and found there’s an imminent wave of retiring physicians. The areas most likely to see shortages: Miami, Virginia Beach, and Tampa. But other cities could also see large portions of the cancer physician workforce retire relatively soon. In half of the 50 metropolitan areas surveyed, more than 20 percent of practicing oncologists are over age 65.

D.C. area could see record venture funding year – Washington Business Journal

The local funding environment is mirroring the gangbusters national funding situation.

BHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence Feedback Sessions

Are you a start-up in Maryland, DC or Virginia seeking feedback on your biohealth business idea, pitch deck, or commercialization plan? business/commercialization plan, pitch deck, or idea?

Schedule your feedback session with BHI EIRs on one of the following dates:

10/31
12/5
2/13
3/20
5/22

(30 minute blocks of time beginning at 9:00 in the morning. If the morning slots are filled, more time will be allotted beginning at 1 p.m.)

Pre-registration is required; sign up here (“EIR resource”at BHI). For questions/more information, contact BHI.

SBIR Funding Assistance

If you and your team are located in the BioHealth Capital Region, BHI may prepay for experts to help you improve your SBIR and other non-dilutive funding applications for biohealth related projects. Your only obligation is that if you win the award, you reimburse BHI for the consulting fees (typically $1500 or $3000) and a minimal program management fee (ten % of the prepaid consulting fee i.e. $150 or $300).

For more information contact BHI.

Oct 10 2018

Love0

324th Edition – October 9, 2018

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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

October 9, 2018

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

Brian Darmody, UMD Associate VP of Corporate Engagement, joins Rich Bendis on BioTalk

In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis and guest Brian Darmody discuss growth across the region, the battle for talent and the upcoming AURP International Conference hosted in College Park.

Brian Darmody is responsible for developing projects, funding opportunities, and policies to support partnerships with the private sector. Previously he was the University’s Associate Vice President for Research and Development, Director of the University of Maryland Center for Applied Policy Studies, Director of State and Federal Relations in the UMD President’s Office, and served in the University’s legal counsel’s office. He serves on national and state boards, including Maryland Technology Council Executive Board, Fraunhofer USA, the Maryland Economic Development Association and is past President of the Association of University Research Parks.He has served on the staff for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Health Care Financing Administration Office of Attorney-Advisor, and the Maryland General Assembly. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore.

Listen now on iTunes , Google Play , and TuneIn.

Join us for an Investment Panel Discussion – BioHealth Capital Region Investment Conference

Led by Joel Marcus, Founder of Alexandria Real Estate Equities

October 9th at 4:20pm

One MedImmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Networking Reception to follow

RSVP by 2 p.m. 10/8 to: amy@taylormadeexperience.com

County Report This Week Episode – Featuring BHI’s Rich Bendis

Anqoinette Crosby hosts County Report This Week. On this episode: Members of Governor Larry Hogan’s cabinet visited the county to discuss transportation and other topics with the Montgomery County Planning department, Artspace broke ground in Silver Spring, Biohealth Innovation will take part in an upcoming conference, Aspen Hill residents voice their opinions about cell towers, and the World of Montgomery Festival takes place on October 21 from 12-4p at Montgomery College in Rockville.

Biotech forum follow-up discuss hosted by George L. Leventhal, Montgomery County Councilmember

Dear Friend:

On Wednesday, October 17th, I will be hosting a follow up discussion to a Biotech forum held earlier this year that addressed ways to help the biotechnology sector thrive in Montgomery County. I will be joined at this discussion by Congressman Jamie Raskin, Dr. Anthony Saleh, CEO, miRecule Inc. and Dr. Chris Austin, Director of the National Center for Advance Translational Sciences (NCATS), NIH.

The topic will be whether federal ethics and conflict of interest restrictions on NIH (intramural) scientists impede the competitiveness of our region’s biotechnology enterprise by limiting incentives for starting new commercial ventures.

This meeting will be held at Johns Hopkins University Montgomery County Campus, Room 121 in the 9605 Building, which is located at Medical Center Drive in Rockville. Parking on campus is available; however, a parking permit is required. Please park in the lot adjacent to the building located at the corner of Key West Avenue and Broschart Road. To ensure you receive a parking permit you must RSVP to this event. The event begins at noon and is scheduled to end at 1:30pm. A light lunch will be provided. Please email your RSVP to Walton Harris at Walton.Harris@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240-777-7945.

Best,

George L. LeventhalMontgomery County Councilmember

How Cambridge Became a Biotech Hub – Bloomberg

Alexandria Real Estate Equities chairman and co-founder Joel Marcus sit down with Bloomberg’s Rebecca Spalding in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Apply Now: Immediate new opening for an NIH Entrepreneur in Residence

Altimmune Raises $17 Million through Underwritten Public & Registered Direct Offerings Last Week

Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a clinical-stage immunotherapeutics company, today announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of common units and pre-funded units for a combined total of 2,400,000 units. Each common unit is being sold at a public offering price of $5.00 and consists of a share of its common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $6.00. Each warrant will be exercisable immediately and will expire five years from the date of issuance. Each pre-funded unit consists of a pre-funded warrant to purchase one share of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share and a warrant. The purchase price of each Pre-funded Unit is equal to the price per common unit being sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.01. The pre-funded warrants will be immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until all of the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full

CASI Pharmaceuticals Announces Appointment Of President To Its China Operations To Lead Commercialization

CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: CASI), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and delivery of high quality, cost-effective pharmaceutical products and innovative therapeutics to patients in the U.S., China and throughout the world, announces the appointment of Larry Zhang to the position of President of CASI (Beijing) Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., the China operating subsidiary of CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. headquartered in Rockville, Maryland.

Danaher’s Instruments of Change

When the Danaher Corporation announced in May 2015 that it would split into two separate enterprises in 2016, it seemed at first like a reversal of the company’s history. Danaher had built itself into a remarkably successful business over four decades by acquiring and integrating new companies into a unified whole, improving them through a group of distinctive management practices known as the Danaher Business System (DBS), then holding onto them.

Montgomery County MD Broadband Summit

DATE AND TIME: Mon, October 22, 2018 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM EDTLOCATION: Montgomery College Germantown Bioscience Education Center, 20200 Observation Drive, Bioscience Education Center, Room 151/152, Germantown, MD 20876

Montgomery County Government requests that you join County Executive Isiah Leggett and Council President Hans Riemer at the Commercial Buildings Broadband Summit, Monday October 22, 2018, 8 am to 1 pm.

The purpose of the Summit is to bring together select business leaders in commercial real estate development and leasing, gigabit fiber networks and wireless 5G and IoT, and leading business sectors to discuss how broadband-ready commercial buildings can support today’s business needs and what strategic direction the County should take to prepare for tomorrow’s business growth. There is no charge to attend, but space is limited and reservations are required.

5 things to know about Georgetown University’s new venture lab – Washington Business Journal

The Georgetown Venture Lab, a university effort to support alumni startup founders, is now live at the WeWork location at 15th and G streets NW.

FDA Renews M-CERSI Grant to School of Pharmacy – University of Maryland, Baltimore

A collaborative partnership led by James Polli, PhD, the Shangraw/Noxell Endowed Chair in Industrial Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), and William E. Bentley, PhD, the Robert E. Fischell Distinguished Chair of Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), M-CERSI is one of only four FDA-funded CERSIs in the United States and the only CERSI to receive continuous funding from the FDA since it launched in 2011.

BIO Statement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) President & CEO James C. Greenwood today issued the following statement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):

BIO supports the USMCA and appreciates the Administrations efforts to prioritize biotechnology innovation, including provisions that update intellectual property protections and agricultural market access to 21st century standards.

The Science of Beer @ CRB

When: Thursday, October 18, 2018 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT

Where: CRB Office 1801 Research Blvd #620 Rockville, MD 20850

It’s harvest time again and we’re continuing our Fall Oktoberfest tradition with a special Open House event at CRB’s Rockville office; featuring local microbrewery, Brookville Beer Farm. Join us on Oktober 18th to help celebrate a year of tremendous growth within our region with a firm who is responsible for designing and building the facilities that many local companies are expanding into.

Maryland Tech Council’s Venture Mentoring Program Expands to Serve Entrepreneurs Across Maryland

Maryland Tech Council (MTC) announced today that, with the support of the Maryland Department of Commerce, the Maryland Tech Council Venture Mentoring Services (MTC VMS), will expand beyond Montgomery County to serve entrepreneurs throughout Maryland. The MTC VMS, which started just two years ago, has trained more than 60 mentors. The program uses a unique team approach to mentoring and is focused on technology and life sciences companies that are preparing to raise their first or second round of venture capital or institutional financing.

Aldrich Capital Partners raises new fund – Washington Business Journal

The fund aims to invest in larger, more mature companies primed for growth.

Venture Capital Gathering Showcases Michigan’s ‘Secret Weapon’: Collaboration | Benzinga

A 450-person gathering in Detroit’s Eastern Market this week made it clear Michigan sits at the intersection of development in the mobility space, Midwestern affordability and investor interest.

The right way for health systems to embrace startup innovation

Many health systems acknowledge that partnering with digital healthcare startups is a necessary step toward innovation, but if providers do not tend these partnerships carefully, they will not be able to reap their benefits.

SBIR Office Hours

BioHealth Innovation sponsors quarterly office hours in Montgomery County and at Johns Hopkins Fast Forward (Fast Forward hours are for JHU innovators only).

BioHealth Capital Region innovators not located at Fast Forward can register for SBIR office hours on the following dates.

Tuesday – Nov 6, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Germantown Innovation Center
Wednesday – Nov 7, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Rockville Innovation Center
Tuesday – Feb 12, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Germantown Innovation Center
Wednesday –Feb 13, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Rockville Innovation Cente
Wednesday – May 8, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.- Germantown Innovation Center
Thursday — May 9, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Rockville Innovation Center

To register for the open sessions, click here. (BHI also will be hosting a more general SBIR overview with office hours on January 29, 2019. Mark your calendar; more details to follow.)

SBIR Funding Assistance

For more information contact BHI.

BHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence Feedback Sessions

Are you a start-up in Maryland, DC or Virginia seeking feedback on your biohealth business idea, pitch deck, or commercialization plan? business/commercialization plan, pitch deck, or idea? Schedule your feedback session with BHI EIRs on one of the following dates: 10/31, 12/5, 2/13, 3/20, 5/22. (30 minute blocks of time beginning at 9:00 in the morning. If the morning slots are filled, more time will be allotted beginning at 1 p.m.) Pre-registration is required; sign up here (“EIR resource”at BHI). For questions/more information, contact BHI.

Oct 03 2018

Love0

323rd Edition – October 2, 2018

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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

October 2, 2018

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

Virginia Bio CEO Jeff Gallagher joins Rich Bendis on BioTalk

Jeff Gallagher, CEO of Virginia Bio sits down with BioTalk host Rich Bendis to discuss accomplishments, challenges, and initiatives in his state and the BioHealth Capital Region.

Jeff is responsible for leading the premier statewide trade group that promotes the considerable scientific and economic impact of the life sciences industry in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Prior to taking on the leadership of Virginia Bio in May 2012, Jeff was a co-founder and served as VP & General Counsel for Lyotropic Therapeutics. This small specialty pharma company used its proprietary formulation technology to create new drug products based on both NCIs and already approved API for license, further development and commercialization by mid and large pharma. Previously he practiced corporate law in Richmond, focusing on new technology company formation, international business and intellectual property transactions. He was a co-founder and longtime Chairman of the Richmond based nonprofit World Pediatric Project. He holds an A.B. in Government from Harvard, a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School, and an LL.M in Public International Law from the University of Virginia School of Law. He resides with his family in the Ginter Park area of Richmond, VA.

Listen now on iTunes , Google Play , and TuneIn.

Last week to register for BioBowl…only a few spots left…and it’s free!

Join us for the 5th Annual BioBowl! You and your company team will be competing against other biotech firms to win the coveted BioBowl Trophy! But first you have to RSVP to claim your spot in the competition.

Apply Now: Immediate new opening for an NIH Entrepreneur in Residence

Montgomery County Awards 12 Small Business Matching Grants

Montgomery County has awarded a total of $425,000 in matching grants to 12 small companies who applied for the County’s new Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Matching Grant Program.

In order to qualify, eligible companies must have been awarded a SBIR or STTR Phase 1 or Phase II grant during the current calendar year by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and 51 percent of research and development operations must be conducted in Montgomery County.

Save the Dates: Montgomery Innovation Academy

BHI and Launch Workplaces are co-hosting a series informational programs on topics of interest to early stage companies in Montgomery County’s innovation network. Geared toward biohealth and technology startups, these sessions are open to all start-ups in the BioHealth Capital Region (with priority on 1:1 office hours given to Montgomery County Innovation Center tenants).

Each program begins with an overview of issues related to the day’s topic with lessons learned and best practices from experts in the field and companies which have been through the process. Attendees can sign up for 1:1 meetings with the experts after the overview session to discuss their specific scenarios more in depth. Mark your calendars (more details to follow):

10/24 – CMS Reimbursement

11/28 – Legal Issues for Early Stage Companies

1/24 – Tax Implications for Startups

1/29 – Fundraising (SBIR)

2/27 – Fundraising (nonSBIR nondilutive and dilutive)

3/27 – Successful Marketing & PR Strategies

4/24 – Selling to the Government

5/15 – Pricing Factors

6/12 – Staff Recruitment and Retention

For more information/to hold your spot for one of the dates now, email BHI.

BHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence Feedback Sessions

Are you a start-up in Maryland, DC or Virginia seeking feedback on your biohealth business idea, pitch deck, or commercialization plan? Schedule your feedback session with BHI Entrepreneurs-in-Residence on one of the following dates: 10/31, 12/5, 2/13, 3/20, 5/22. (30 minute blocks of time beginning at 9:00 in the morning. If the morning slots are filled, more time will be allotted beginning at 1 p.m.) Pre-registration is required; sign up here (“EIR resource”at BHI). For questions/more information, contact BHI.

Innovations in Viral Clearance – GEN

Viral clearance is not a new challenge for the biopharmaceutical industry. However, regulatory demand for better data combined with the growing recognition of the shortcomings of current virus removal and inactivation methods are fostering innovation, according to industry experts.

Rockville Innovation Center tenant, Children’s Hospital spinout ReveraGen Announces First Patient Enrollment in International Pivotal Trial of Vamorolone in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

ReveraGen BioPharma, Inc. recently announced the initiation and first patient enrollment in a double-blind, placebo- and prednisone-controlled clinical trial (VBP15-004) of vamorolone, a first-in-class dissociative steroidal anti-inflammatory, in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

New Division at NIH Seeking Director

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Extramural Research (OER) provides the corporate framework for NIH research administration, ensuring scientific integrity, public accountability, and effective stewardship of the NIH extramural research portfolio. The OER is seeking a Supervisory Medical Officer (Research) or Pharm.D. or Ph.D. Clinical Research Nurse to serve as the Director of a new division with oversight for human subjects research and clinical trial policy and process implementation.

SBIR Office Hours

BioHealth Innovation sponsors quarterly office hours in Montgomery County and at Johns Hopkins Fast Forward (Fast Forward hours are for JHU innovators only).

BioHealth Capital Region innovators not located at Fast Forward can register for SBIR office hours on the following dates.

Tuesday – Nov 6, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Germantown Innovation Center
Wednesday – Nov 7, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Rockville Innovation Center
Tuesday – Feb 12, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Germantown Innovation Center
Wednesday –Feb 13, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Rockville Innovation Cente
Wednesday – May 8, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.- Germantown Innovation Center
Thursday — May 9, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Rockville Innovation Center

To register for the open sessions, click here. (BHI also will be hosting a more general SBIR overview with office hours on January 29, 2019. Mark your calendar; more details to follow.)

SBIR Funding Assistance

For more information contact BHI.

VC funding is on a roll in Maryland | Maryland Business News

Summer 2018 may have brought more rain than sun, but when it comes to funding at Maryland startups, things have been hot, hot, hot. With top-notch research institutions, an unparalleled technical workforce, and a network of accelerators, Maryland is a hotbed for innovation, so it’s no wonder venture capitalists want Maryland startups in their portfolio. Here’s a snapshot of companies that have recently received VC investments.

Cerecor acquires New York biopharmaceutical company for $26.6M in stock – Technical.ly Baltimore

Baltimore-based Cerecor announced the acquisition of Ichorion Therapeutics, a New York–based biopharmaceutical company.

The deal includes an all-stock transaction worth up to $26.6 million, with potential for an additional $15 million in milestones, which could be paid in cash or stock.

FDA Approves Expanded Use of Qiagen EGFR CDx in Lung Cancer | GenomeWeb

Qiagen announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the expanded use of the company’s Therascreen EGFR RGQ PCR Kit to allow its use as a companion diagnostic for Pfizer’s Vizimpro (dacomitinib) for first-line treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutation.

CASI Pharmaceuticals Announces Appointment Of Chief Financial Officer

CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CASI), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and delivery of high quality, cost-effective pharmaceutical products and innovative therapeutics to patients in the U.S., China and throughout the world, announces the appointment of George Chi to the position of Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Wei-Wu He, Executive Chairman of CASI Pharmaceuticals, commented, “I’m very pleased to announce George’s appointment and welcome him to CASI. George joins us at an opportune time as our company prepares for the marketing and sales of our first oncology product in China. He will be integral to help transition the Company’s financial operations to commercial stage as we launch EVOMELA® and other additional products from our pipeline.”

NIH awards $5.1M to Hopkins team developing fast diagnostic tool for sexually transmitted diseases | Hub

New cases of sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise worldwide, and some strains have become resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat them.

With the support of a $5.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, Jeff Wang a professor in the Whiting School of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and member of the school’s Institute for NanoBioTechnology, is leading a team that is creating a device that not only rapidly tests for gonorrhea, but detects if a particular bacterial strain is resistant to antibiotics.

UMD Expands Innovation and Commercialization Team – Division of Research

UM Ventures – College Park, part of the University of Maryland Division of Research, is pleased to announce the addition of new talent to its innovation and commercialization efforts: Ken Porter, director of the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) and Stan Smith, venture investment manager. These new hires build on UM Ventures’ strategic goal of unleashing innovation.

Saving newborn lives: Neopenda launches on Republic

Innovating medical technologies in emerging markets Medical device company with the potential to save up to 2.6M newborn lives a year

In developing countries, many hospitals are overcrowded, understaffed, and lack standard medical equipment, leading to preventable newborn deaths. Neopenda is a for-profit public benefit corporation that is developing technologies to prevent these deaths, including a wearable that captures newborn vital signs so nurses in resource-constrained hospitals can attend to babies in distress.

Cybersecurity Issues in Healthcare

When: Thursday, October 11, 20184:30 – 7:30 PM EST Where: UM BioPark801 West Baltimore StBaltimore, MD 21201

bwtech @UMBC Cyber Incubator and Anchor Ventures will co-host a special event celebrating the cybersecurity industry in Maryland. The first part of the event will include an Anchor Ventures Panel discussing “Cybersecurity Issues in Healthcare” from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, immediately followed by the renowned CyberTini Networking Reception from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. This double feature event will attract C-Level Executives and cybersecurity practitioners and will include comments by the “movers and shakers” in the cybersecurity world.

Fina Biosolutions Announces New Patent for Conjugate Vaccine Development – Business Wire

Fina Biosolutions announces that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent for expression and purification of the conjugate vaccine protein CRM197 in E. coli. CRM197 is a key component of many vaccine formulations utilized worldwide.

BIO Praises Passage of Small Business Innovation Protection Act – Business Wire

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization applauds the House and Senate’s bipartisan passage of the Small Business Innovation Protection Act. The bill directs increased cooperation between the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) to improve intellectual property protections for small businesses.

Starburst Selection Committee

We are pleased to announce a pitch event will be hosted by MITRE Corporation at the Tysons, VA campus in the Metro DC area on Wednesday, October 10th from 9am-6pm EST.

Join us to hear 10 new startups present their innovations to our ecosystem of industry experts. This will be Starburst’s annual east coast selection committee, so don’t miss out! It’s a great way to make the most of your trip for those of you who plan to be in the DC area for the AUSA conference Oct 7-10.

Roche to acquire immuno-oncology company Tusk Therapeutics – PharmaLive

Swiss-based Roche announced it is buying UK-based Tusk Therapeutics in a deal that could hit $758 million (U.S.).

Under the terms of the acquisition, Roche is paying $81 million upfront with another possible $677 million in various milestone payments.

New report for medtech industry has stark message: Tech coming for you – MedCity News

A report released this week at the annual conference of the trade association for medical device and diagnostics companies had a stark message to deliver: invest in customer-centric capabilities and digital collaborations to build personalized health solutions or die.

Biotech companies are key to the state’s innovation economy – NJTV

Across the state, nearly 120,000 scientists are developing biologically advanced materials with the potential to change the course of our health, environment and even the foods we eat. It’s expanding New Jersey’s reputation from the “medicine chest of the world” to a hub for the life sciences.

Finalists Named for 2018 Collegiate Inventors Competition – Markets Insider

The Collegiate Inventors Competition®, an annual competition that rewards innovations, discoveries and research by college and university students and their faculty advisors, announced today its 2018 Finalists.

2018 Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded to 2 Cancer Immunotherapy Researchers – The New York Times

The 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded on Monday to James P. Allison of the United States and Tasuku Honjo of Japan for their work on unleashing the immune system’s ability to attack cancer, a breakthrough in developing new cancer treatments.

Sep 25 2018

Love0

322nd Edition – September 25, 2018

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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September 25, 2018

FOUNDING MEMBER OF

Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters: BioHealth Capital Region listed 4th – GEN

BioHealth Capital Region moves up one spot to number four, closing in on our goal to be a Top 3 by 2023.

What makes a top-tier biopharma cluster? The standard answers involve a critical mass of resources including the brightest scientific and business minds capable of attracting public and private funding; powerhouse universities and healthcare systems, with endowments reaching into the billions; research institutes, often named for billionaire benefactors; and drug and tools & technology developers that can translate investment into net income.

Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc. Founder and CEO Bill Hearl Joins Rich Bendis for BioTalk

Dr. Bill Hearl is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc. (“ITI”). He is an experienced and successful scientific businessman and bio-entrepreneur, having founded both ITI and formerly Capital Genomix in 2000. Dr. Hearl has moved ITI steadily forward from an initial license agreement with the Geron Corporation in 2006 to an animal health license in 2012 and then most recently to two license deals with Astellas Pharma for the treatment of allergies, one for Japanese red cedar and a second global allergy license. The second deal brought ITI an upfront payment of $300,000,000 and established the Company as one of the leading entities in nucleic acid research. Dr. Hearl funded the Company by following a strategy of seeking a series of angel investment rounds which raised in aggregate over $12 million to drive the development of its allergy products. Prior to founding ITI and Capital Genomix, he was a senior executive at Kirkegaard & Perry Labs and then held various R&D positions at Life Technologies and Pharmacia. Dr. Hearl holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Tennessee (Oak Ridge & Knoxville) and holds multiple patents in the field of gene immunization.

Listen now on iTunes , Google Play , and TuneIn.

Maryland Tech Council Appoints Marty Rosendale Chief Executive Officer | Business Wire

The Maryland Tech Council (MTC), the state’s largest trade association supporting the technology and life sciences sectors, today announced the appointment of Marty Rosendale as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately.

NIAID and Children’s National partner to advance pediatric clinical research – Children’s National

Six companies presenting innovative medical devices that address significant unmet needs in pediatric healthcare were awarded a total of $150,000 in grants yesterday in Philadelphia, Penn.at the Sixth Annual Pediatric Device Innovation Symposiumorganized by the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children’s National Health System.

The “Make Your Medical Device Pitch for Kids!” competition this year focused on pediatric cardiovascular devices, an area where new devices can make a life-changing difference, especially for younger children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 40,000 children are born annually in the U.S. with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and approximately 1 million U.S. children currently live with a CHD.

The pitch competition was originally slated to award $100,000 in grants; however, because of the judges’ response to the quality and potential of the technologies presented, Children’s National expanded the award grants to $150,000 to include six awardees.

UK Based T Cell Therapy Company Selects Maryland for New US Commercial Manufacturing Facility · BioBuzz

Autolus Therapeutics is a promising clinical-stage biotech that is a leader in T-cell programming and manufacturing technology. They have seen rapid growth since launching in 2014, and recently executed a successful US IPO in June that raised $160.4M at a $17 share price and landed them on the Nasdaq (AUTL).

United Therapeutics Acquires North American Rights to Samumed IPF Candidate SM04646 – GEN

Samumed said it has sold North American rights to its Phase I idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) candidate SM04646 to United Therapeutics, in a deal that could generate more than $350 million for the privately-held San Diego biotech.

The University of Maryland to Host AURP 2018 International Conference at The University of Maryland Discovery District Uniting Science + Innovation

The Association of University Research Parks (AURP) and the University of Maryland have teamed up to present the AURP 2018 International Conference from October 22nd to October 26th. The International Conference attracts 200+ park leaders from around the world for knowledge exchange and networking with industry expert presenters.

AURP is a not-for-profit international organization that focuses on creating communities of innovation and education for university research parks both operating and planned, innovation districts, incubators, accelerators and businesses that cater to the research park industry.

Remedy Plan Therapeutics Named Winner of MTC’s Inaugural Start-Up Pitch Contest at Bio+Tech18 | Business Wire

The Maryland Tech Council (MTC) concluded its Bio+Tech18 Conference yesterday in Baltimore with the announcement of Remedy Plan Therapeutics as the winner of its Inaugural Start-Up Pitch Contest. Remedy Plan Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing drugs that target cancer stem cells to inhibit tumor growth and proliferation.

WellSpan, Johns Hopkins establish cancer research fund | CPBJ

WellSpan Health and Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have partnered to launch a grant program to support cancer research.

High-Tech & STEM Work Flourishing in Greater Baltimore – Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore

In its most recent look at states where innovation and entrepreneurship rank high, the U.S. Department of Commerce Foundation rated Maryland third, highlighting the state as a “national leader in bioscience, biotechnology, and health innovation.”

In the battle for life sciences companies, one state shows up behind enemy lines

Even under the no-holds-barred rules of biotech, it’s a particularly shrewd move, one that might prompt guffaws from knowing insiders.

Leggetts Establish New Scholarship to Help ACES Students | The Universities at Shady Grove

On September 23rd, Montgomery County residents will gather at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda for the Leggett Legacy Forward event celebrating County Executive Ike Leggett and his wife Catherine’s years of outstanding service and their commitment to higher education. The event is a culmination of their effort to establish a legacy gift that will serve the county in perpetuity — the Ike and Catherine Leggett Scholarship. The scholarship will benefit the county’s historically underrepresented students in higher education through the Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) program.

Gene Therapy 2.0: Immunotherapy for Cancer

Monday, October 1, 2018

ACGT and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., invite you to an Intimate Conversation with Crystal Mackall, MD

Learning Undefeated – MdBio Foundation

Learning Undefeated is a mobile education program serving Southeast Texas schools devastated by Hurricane Harvey. Using a self-contained science classroom on wheels as its home base, the program provides teaching space and scientific equipment, lab supplies, during- and after-school activities, and public outreach to communities whose classrooms and science labs were destroyed during the August 2017 hurricane.

Job Opportunity: Health Scientist Administrator (Scientific Review Officer and Program Officer) – National Institutes of Health

Join one of the 24 Institutes and Centers within the NIH that awards extramural grants! Extramural grants account for approximately 80 percent of NIH’s budget and are awarded to investigators at more than 2,500 universities, medical schools, and other research organizations around the world. To learn more about the grants process, types of grant programs, and the peer review process, visit the website for the Office of Extramural Research.

AMERICA’S BEST CITIES FOR GLOBAL TRADE – Global Trade Magazine

Another year, another list of the Top U.S. Cities for Global Trade. If there’s one thing that strikes us about this list over the past couple of years is that the reach of the global economy has not just stretched to other shores but into virtually every city in the United States, no matter the size.

MedTech Innovator Announces Finalists for $500,000 6th Annual Industry Competition – MedTech Innovator

MedTech Innovator, the premier nonprofit startup accelerator in the medical technology industry, today announced that AblaCare, CroiValve, FineHeart, Sana Health, and Spect have been selected as finalists to compete for the title of MedTech Innovator of 2018, out of over 700 applicants. The Grand Prize winner of $350,000 will be determined by the vote of the audience at the largest gathering of medtech industry leaders in North America on Sept. 25 in Philadelphia, PA at The MedTech Conference, powered by AdvaMed.

Inova Personalized Health Accelerator Expands Precision Medicine Portfolio with Cyrano Therapeutic’s Novel Solution for Olfactory Impairment

Expanding its portfolio of innovative health solutions, the Inova Personalized Health Accelerator (IPHA) has invested in a new therapy company that is developing a solution to address a major unmet need in patients with olfactory impairment. Sense of smell can often be taken for granted, until it is lost. This occurs most commonly by sino-nasal disease and upper respiratory infection, and in many cases, by head trauma. Cyrano Therapeutics understands the profound impact these senses can have on quality of life and is developing the first safe and effective nasal spray to restore and maintain the sense of smell and its connection with the ability to detect flavor in food (often perceived as taste). According to the peer-reviewed journal BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders, 14 million patients in the United States have olfactory impairment or loss of smell, yet few treatments are available.

Silicon Valley biotech VCs: mistake startup founders make pitching – Business Insider

Biotech is one of the buzziest sectors for venture-capital funds right now.

Across the globe, venture-capital investments in biotech startups last year topped

A Life Sciences and Health Care Perspective: Tech Trends 2018 | Deloitte US

From “doing digital” to “being digital,” that’s where the life sciences and health care industry needs to go. To help your business navigate digital disruption, this series provides a life sciences and health care perspective on Deloitte’s 2018 Tech Trends report. From blockchain to digital reality to the no-collar workforce, explore eight trends that are shaping strategic and operational transformations and redefining life sciences and health care.

Tour of Johnson and Johnson’s startup incubator JLabs NYC – Business Insider

Johnson & Johnson Innovation’s Manhattan outpost of its startup incubator, JLabs, is the new kid on the NYC-health-tech block.

Business Success Myths and the Truths Behind Them — Entrepreneur Pathways, Inc.

It’s the 21st century and information is just right at the tip of our fingers – thanks to the wide, wide, internet world. However, in spite of all the availability of information and the easy access to it, many people are still under the cloak of hoaxes and myths – and the business world is no exemption.

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH TO RECEIVE $2 BILLION INCREASE IN FY19

The second minibus package includes the fiscal year 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) funding bill, which includes funding for programs within the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and other related agencies, including the Social Security Administration.

Galera Therapeutics Raises $150 Million for GC4419 Phase 3 Trial and Pre-Commercialization Activities in Lead Indication

Galera Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of drugs targeting oxygen metabolic pathways with the potential to transform cancer radiotherapy, today announced it has secured $150 million in a joint, oversubscribed Series C financing and royalty purchase agreement. The financing was led by new investor Clarus, with participation from additional new investors Adage Capital Management, HBM Healthcare Investments, Nan Fung Life Sciences, RA Capital, Rock Springs Capital and Tekla Capital Management LLC. Existing investors Correlation Ventures, Galera Angels, New Enterprise Associates, Novartis Venture Fund, Novo Ventures and Sofinnova Ventures also participated. In addition, Emmett T. Cunningham, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., MPH, Managing Director at Clarus, will join Galera’s Board of Directors.

Principia Biopharma Announces Closing of Initial Public Offering and Full Exercise of Underwriters’ Option to Purchase Additional Shares | Principia Biopharma

Principia Biopharma Inc. (Principia or the Company) (Nasdaq: PRNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing transformative oral therapies to patients with significant unmet medical needs in immunology and oncology, today announced the closing of its initial public offering of 7,187,500 shares of its common stock, including the exercise in full of the underwriters’ option to purchase 937,500 additional shares of common stock, at a public offering price of $17.00 per share. The gross proceeds to Principia, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, were approximately $122.2 million. All of the common stock was offered by Principia. Principia’s common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “PRNB.”

SparkLabs launches accelerator in D.C. for cybersecurity and blockchain startups | VentureBeat

SparkLabs Group operates a network of accelerators and venture capital funds, and today it is adding to them with the creation of a new global accelerator program focused on cybersecurity and blockchain-related startups in Washington, D.C.

Largest U.S. Biotech Hubs: Boston and the San Francisco Bay

The biotechnology industry in the Boston region, especially Cambridge, is a powerhouse even when compared with the innovation and development seen in the San Francisco Bay Area. These hubs function at a whole different level in biotech compared with other biotech clusters in the U.S. The healthy rivalry between San Francisco and Boston has fostered rapid growth in biotech thanks to their robust populations of small startups, large well-established pharmaceuticals, incubator sites, and large biotech-focused research institutions.

Sloan Kettering’s Cozy Deal With Start-Up Ignites a New Uproar – The New York Times

An artificial intelligence start-up founded by three insiders at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center debuted with great fanfare in February, with $25 million in venture capital and the promise that it might one day transform how cancer is diagnosed.

Speeches by FDA Officials > Blueprint for Breakthroughs – Charting the Course for Precision Medicine

Good morning and thank you for having me here today.

One of the most critical points on a patient’s journey is the moment of diagnosis. The moment when you find out what’s wrong. What the options are. The uncertainty of the unknown can be the hardest part of a grave diagnosis. And the emotional health that comes with more confidence and more certainty is inextricably linked to physical health and outcomes.

Bibhash Mukhopadhyay featured at Biden Cancer Summit – New Enterprise Associates

The Biden Cancer Summit takes place Friday, September 21st in Washingtin, D. C. The event aims to promote new solutions, bring together problem solvers, and tell stories that epitomize what it means to be cancer FIERCE. The Summit is the flagship event of more than 450 Biden Cancer Community Summits convening throughout September 21st, all focused on improving the cancer journey for patients, their families, and caregivers.

Sep 18 2018

Love0

321st Edition – September 18, 2018

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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September 18, 2018

Supernus Pharmaceuticals to acquire Biscayne Neurotherapeutics for up to $185M – Washington Business Journal

Rockville-based Supernus Pharmaceuticals Inc. has reached a deal to acquire Miami-based Biscayne Neurotherapeutics in a deal worth up to $185 million.

Baltimore medical device startup Sisu Global Health raises $1.2 million – Baltimore Business Journal

Baltimore’s Sisu Global Health Inc. is launching overseas sales of its first medical device with the help of $1.2 million in new funding.

Visbiome® Vet probiotic to be the subject of two new clinical trials in domestic dogs

ExeGi Pharma is pleased to announce two new clinical partnerships with the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia and the University of Tennessee to study the Visbiome Vet probiotic in domestic dogs. Both studies will evaluate the probiotic’s effectiveness in managing canine gastrointestinal disorders. Visbiome Vet is an 8-strain probiotic compound with an extremely high concentration of beneficial bacteria (112.5 billion bacteria per dose). The formulation in Visbiome Vet is one of the most extensively studied probiotic products for pets, as it has been the subject of four controlled clinical trials.

Innovation is in Our DNA – MCEDC

World-leading innovation

Discovery crosses industries, border and boundaries in MoCo

Creatv MicroTech Receives DoD Funding for Lung Cancer
Screening

Creatv MicroTech, Inc. (Creatv) has received a $625,000 award from the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) to investigate their discovery of giant circulating cells found in peripheral blood for non-invasive detection of lung cancer by differentiating malignant from benign pulmonary nodules detected by low dose CT (LDCT). In the three-year study, Creatv will examine blood samples from 1,250 subjects at high risk for lung cancer based on their smoking history and occupational exposure to carcinogens. The research will be carried out in collaboration with Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) and the Philadelphia VA Hospital.

2018 “Make Your Medical Device Pitch for Kids!” Competition – Up to $100,000 in Grants and Access to Pediatric Device Development Expertise – FINALISTS

The Sheik Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children’s National Health System is pleased to announce the 11 finalists who have been selected to pitch their pediatric medical device innovation at our 6th annual Pediatric Device Innovation Symposium on Sunday, Sept. 23rd in Philadelphia, PA.

New this year, the competition focused on pediatric cardiovascular devices as they are critically needed. From a field of 45 submissions, the finalists are:

FDA awards five grants to advance the development of pediatric medical devices

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it has awarded five grants totaling up to $6 million per year over the next five years to Pediatric Device Consortia (PDC) across the country that will provide advice and support services to innovators of children’s medical devices. The program aims to enhance the development, production and distribution of pediatric medical devices and has awarded $37 million to various consortia since 2009.

These 25 Universities Produce the Most Startup Founders – Inc.com

It’s no secret that choosing the right college can have a big impact on where you end up later in life.

If you’re hoping to launch a startup, chances are you’ll need some funding down the road — and, according to the data, the university you attend can be one factor that impacts the amount of funding you’ll receive after graduating.

Amazon HQ2: New Clues Suggest This East Coast City | Money

There’s still no official word on where Amazon is planning to build its second headquarters, but a trail of clues may be leading to the Washington, D.C. area.

Will Baltimore see returns from Johns Hopkins licensed tech hitting public markets? – Baltimore Business Journal

None of the four companies with Hopkins-licensed tech that have done IPOs to day are still in Baltimore.

Fall 2018 Discovery Series: The Impact of Changing Consumer Expectations on Healthcare Delivery – Inova Personalized Health Accelerator

Event date: November 07, 2018 SAVE THE DATE!

Please mark your calendar to join us at the Fall 2018 Inova Discovery Series: The Impact of Changing Consumer Expectations on Healthcare Delivery.

Consumer expectations related to healthcare delivery continue to rapidly evolve, forcing health systems and health technology innovators to continually rethink how consumers view the traditional patient-provider-payor relationship.

Chinese scientist pleads guilty in plot to steal GSK secrets – KIRO-TV

A Chinese scientist has pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal biopharmaceutical trade secrets from GlaxoSmithKline in what prosecutors said was a scheme to set up companies in China to market them.

Summer internship program in precision medicine creates a win-win for students and local company · BioBuzz

Technologies such as cloud, bigdata, nosql databases, mobile apps, wearable sensors, and healthcare data interoperability are buzz words to many, but they are technologies that are propelling the healthcare-IT field forward into new frontiers. The possibilities these technologies bring can aide in patient engagement, data aggregation, integration and analytics for precision medicine. This is the cutting-edge space that Jeeva Informatics, a local company, operates in. It’s also a very attractive field for students who are eager to get work experience in the emerging technologies of the future.

Invitation to Biotech & Beer Happy Hour at Farm Brew Live! – Prince William County

Enjoy an evening with food, fun and lively conversation at Biotech and Beer. Meet old friends and new colleagues in the life science community. Complimentary admission for any bioscience company employees, and university students and researchers with advanced registration. All others may purchase tickets.

When: Thursday, Septmember 27, 2018 4:00-7:00 PM

Where: Farm Brew Live 9901 Discovery Blvd. Manassas, Virginia 20109 United States

Intellectual property webinars for current SBIR/STTR grantees – USPTO

For small businesses currently participating in the federal government’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, understanding intellectual property (IP)—including patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights—is necessary to protect your ideas, products, and product names in today’s knowledge economy. This series of seven 90-minute webinars, organized by the USPTO and the U.S. Small Business Administration, has been designed to specifically address the most common IP issues facing small businesses funded by the SBIR and STTR programs. They not only cover all aspects of IP protection, but will also help you understand your IP data rights under the SBIR/STTR grant or contract.

Space is limited to 200 people per webinar, so early registration is advised. Please note these webinars are open only to small businesses currently engaged in either Phase 1 or Phase 2 of the SBIR/STTR programs (link is external).

Pharma’s Innovation Crisis, Part 2: How To Fix It

Part 1 considered Dr. Kelvin Stott’s characterization of the innovation crisis in the pharmaceutical industry (here, here) and found his technology-based solution wanting. Improved productivity will require a new business model, one with transformative potential.

Do You Have a Game-Changing Energy Innovation? | Innovation Crossroads

What you get

Participants selected for cohort three will receive: *

A two-year fellowship – Includes a personal living stipend of up to $90,000/year depending on education and experience, along with health insurance and travel allowance
Lab access and research funding – In addition to unparalleled access to facilities, equipment, and expertise at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, fellows receive $200,000 of R&D funding to support collaboration opportunities with researchers across the lab.
Business mentors, entrepreneurial training, and networking – Participants receive access to experienced business mentors, entrepreneurial training programs, and exclusive networking opportunities. Innovators are also exposed to a wide range of leaders from academia, industry, government, and finance that can serve as advisors and partners.

*All support is subject to performance and availability of funds.

Eligibility criteria

For acceptance into the program, applicants:

Must have PhD or equivalent experience
Must be focused on energy or manufacturing innovation
Must leverage ORNL R&D capabilities and have an impact on the Department of Energy (DOE) or Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) mission
Must be willing to relocate to the Knoxville-Oak Ridge area
Must be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident at time of application

To learn more or to apply, please visit: https://innovationcrossroads.ornl.gov/.

Scientists Are Discovering New Treatments With Stem Cells – Time

When Nichelle Obar learned she was pregnant with her second child last year, she never expected that her pregnancy, or her baby, would make history.

What Keeps Cybersecurity Influencers up at Night? – DMVG Tech

Cybersecurity influencers believe that a new wave of system-embedded devices present a formidable challenge to their field. The Internet of Things (IoT) will introduce a vast amount of small computers, with inadequate security designs, that use high-speed internet, and that combination has all the ingredients for a cyberspace disaster.

Bob Stratton, a security entrepreneur and consultant, states that not every device has to have the high-level security of desktop computers, but manufactures of small computers should include a built-in level of resistance and system integrity.

Op-Ed: Life Sciences Are Key to Building an ‘Innovation Economy’ in New Jersey – NJ Spotlight

Biopharmaceutical, biotech and medical technology companies comprise one of the state’s strongest sectors. They’re crucial to generating new jobs, products and services

Five universities establish biotech business incubator – Taipei Times

Five universities yesterday said they would establish a biotech business incubator at the Shilin-Beitou Technology Park in New Taipei City.

The incubator would the biggest of its kind in northern Taiwan and provide the park, which is still under development, with skilled workers, they said.

Sep 11 2018

Love0

320th Edition – September 11, 2018

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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September 11, 2018

Matt Mulvey, Co-Founder and CEO of BeneVir, sits down with host Rich Bendis to discuss Funding, Licensing, and their new relationship with J&J

Matt holds a Ph.D. in Virology from Ian Mohr’s lab at NYU Langone Medical Center. He is also an inventor on all BeneVir patents protecting T-StealthTM, the first oncolytic virus to resist both innate and adaptive immunity. Prior to BeneVir, Matt spent 8 years at Sequella, Inc., a clinical stage anti-infectives company. At Sequella, he patented and developed a molecular diagnostic and licensed it to a major clinical diagnostics company. In addition, he designed and executed clinical trials and was involved in the development of Sequella’s antibiotic pipeline from pre-clinical to clinical.

Listen now on iTunes , Google Play , and TuneIn.

SERAXIS Inc. announces novel method and cell line that generate highly pure populations of insulin-producing cells capable of reversing diabetes in rodents.

SERAXIS Inc., a privately held regenerative medicine company today announced the successful production of stem cell derived pancreatic cells capable of regulating blood glucose in rodent models of insulin dependent diabetes.

emocha awarded $1M grant to take a closer look at its technology as it grows – Technical.ly Baltimore

In growing a health-focused startup, Sebastian Seiguer sees the need to keep using technology in new places, as well as validate the results of the work that’s already being done.

Global Aquaculture Innovation Award finalist: VakSea

Insect larvae-based feed additive/vaccine maker shifts focus to farmed shrimp These trays show R&D scale growth conditions for the insect larvae VakSea uses to produce its immune-boosting proteins.

Machfu announces move to new Headquarters – Machfu

Industrial IoT solutions innovator Machfu announced today that it is moving its corporate headquarters from the Germantown Innovation Center’s award- winning incubator program to commercial Class A office space in Rockville, Maryland. Machfu’s new headquarters will encompass 5,000 square feet of The Grove 270, a LEED Gold certified and Energy Star-awarded office complex.

Jeeva Informatics Announces Emerging Focus in OMICS and Precision Medicine – The Daily Telescope

Jeeva Informatics Solutions (Jeeva), a premier healthcare and life sciences informatics company with the vision to democratize precision medicine at community level, is participating this week in the inaugural Total Exposure Health 2018 conference at Bethesda, MD. The conference aims to bridge exposure health with precision medicine.

Get Expert Perspectives on Real World Evidence

– Pediatric Device Symposium

Register now for our 6th Annual Pediatric Device Innovation Symposium on Sunday, Sept. 23, in Philadelphia– one day before The MedTech Conference powered by AdvaMed as we co-locate again this year.

Join the conversation as our experts dive deep into the topic “Using Real World Evidence to Drive Pediatric Innovation”

Program highlights include a live podcast of “BioTalk with Rich Bendis” featuring Vasum Peiris, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Pediatrics and Special Populations, Food & Drug Administration.

MC Germantown Campus Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The Montgomery College Germantown Campus is celebrating its 40th Anniversary on Tuesday, October 16th at 12:30 PM in Globe Hall. The Germantown community day will be on March 30th from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM.

IMET Science-Industry Partnerships Awarded for Maryland Research | imet

Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology scientists have received grants from the Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program to support new technology product development projects in Maryland. The projects, averaging $90,000 in value, each feature a collaboration between University System of Maryland faculty members and Maryland companies. Projects are jointly funded by both MIPS and participating companies. All funding goes to the university research.

Nexercise Inc. lost out on Mark Cuban’s ‘Shark Tank’ deal. Now it’s taking on childhood obesity. – Washington Business Journal

Ben Young and Greg Coleman had their 15 minutes of fame when they shook hands with Mark Cuban on ABC’s “Shark Tank.” Then they had another moment in the spotlight, when that deal fell through.

NIH grants will spur innovation in under-resourced states – National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Four new grants will help to move scientific discoveries and technologies out of the lab and into commercial products that improve patient care and enhance human health. Awards for Regional Technology Transfer Accelerator Hubs for Institutional Development Award (IDeA) states will total almost $2 million in the first year and potentially more than $13 million over three years, pending the availability of funds. The grants are managed by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Immunotherapy startup moves into the University of Maryland BioPark – Technical.ly Baltimore

After a pair of key milestones this year, a startup working on a new way to treat cancer is opening an office in Baltimore city.

ImmuCision BioTherapeutics is taking office and lab space in the space at the University of Maryland BioPark at 801 Baltimore St.

The New Fabric of Baltimore – Anchor Ventures

When: Thursday, September 20, 2018 4:00 – 7:00 PM EST

Where: Columbus Center 701 E Pratt St Baltimore, MD 21202

Join us in envisioning a future that weaves together big data scientists with makers, medical doctors with apparel designers, cut & sew craftsman with artificial intelligence coders. An evening of looking back on the textile mills that once built our city and seeing the new mills of tomorrow filled with smart garments, technical textiles and wearables. Visit the displays of Baltimore companies with athletic apparel, high fashion and medical devices made with functional textiles. Most importantly, see how this new fabric of Baltimore engages you.

Gaithersburg, MD: 2018 10 Best Cities for STEM Workers – Livability

You can’t walk around Washington D.C. for long without meeting somebody who is involved in politics. The same is true for STEM jobs in the D.C. suburb of Gaithersburg, where one in every five employees in the city works in a STEM-related profession. The median salary for those employees is nearly $90,000, which is approximately $37,000 greater than the median income for the city overall.

Biobuzz Directory – Dr. Carol Nacy, CEO of Sequella, Takes on the Global Crisis of Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR)

For Dr. Carol Nacy, co-founder and CEO of Rockville, Maryland’s clinical-stage antibiotics developer Sequella, it all started with a fascination for things unseen.

Johns Hopkins climbs in annual college rankings from US News – WTOP

Class has just begun, but U.S. News & World Report has already issued its report card for the nation’s best colleges.

And some familiar local names are up near the head of the class.

Allogene raises $120M for ‘off-the-shelf’ CAR-T development – MedCity News

A company started by former executives from Kite Pharma has raised $120 million to develop the next generation of CAR-T therapies.

Startup Professionals Musings: Grant Applications Often Provide Early-Stage Funding

A critical stage for most first-time entrepreneurs is getting their idea developed into at least a prototype to validate their technology. This process costs money, which professional investors are not willing to contribute, since their interest is in scaling a proven product and business model into a growth business. Investors want potential for a large and timely return, with reduced risk.

Frederick Innovative Technology Center gets $450,000 in grants – Maryland Daily Record

The Frederick Innovative Technology Center Inc., a technology incubator in Frederick, received the most money in fiscal year 2019 grant awards from the Rural Maryland Council’s Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund.

Submit Startups for Corporate Venture and National Angels Funding

University Startups are invited to apply to present at the next Global Corporate Venturing / Global University Venturing event in Houston, TX on November 8-9, 2018. Five startups will pitch to a room of approximately 50 corporate venture groups at this event. University Startups looking for their first investment or later rounds can apply. Startups presenting receive a one-day complimentary pass to attend the conference.

If you are a university with an active startup creation program, this is a must attend event to learn from international thought leaders about best practices in Global University Venturing. See below for the discount code to register.

Startups applying to the NCET2/GCV Showcase will also be considered for investments from the National Angels. The National Angels was specifically created by NCET2 to invest in the Best University Startups. The National Angels invests in companies in the following technical areas: Pharma/Med, Chemicals & Clean Tech, Advanced Manufacturing, and Information & Communication Technology. Investments range from $150,000 to $2 million.

HOW TO SUBMIT: Send your non-confidential pitch deck to submissions@ncet2.org. Submissions reviewed weekly. Final deadline for NCET2/GCV Houston Showcase is September 30, 2018.

Useful Stats: Science and engineering R&D at colleges and universities, by state and metro area | SSTI

Federal funding for S&E R&D grew by $7.2 billion from 2002 to 2016, reaching more than $31.6 billion. This represents a 29.4 percent increase during the period, or approximately 2.0 percent per year, according to an SSTI analysis of data from the National Science Foundation’s National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. Among states, California ($4.3 billion), New York ($2.4 billion), and Maryland ($2.3 billion) received the most in federal funds for S&E R&D in 2016, while Baltimore ($2.0 billion), New York City ($1.7 billion), and Boston ($1.3 billion) led among metropolitan areas.

MIT selected as ninth NSF Innovation Corps Node; set to serve the New England region – MIT News

MIT has been selected by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as an Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Node, and awarded $4.2 million in order to develop programs and resources that will accelerate the translation of fundamental research to practical applications.

Sep 05 2018

Love0

319th Edition – September 5, 2018

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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

September 5, 2018

Brian Gaines, Chief Executive Officer of the MdBio Foundation, joins BioTalk host Rich Bendis to discuss STEM Education, Workforce Development, Funding, and expanding beyond the BioHealth Capital Region

Brian joined the MdBio Foundation in November 2012 after serving as Executive Director of the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation. He has spent most of his professional career creating and working for several entrepreneurial endeavors at the intersection of the for-profit and nonprofit worlds.Brian joined the MdBio Foundation in November 2012 after serving as Executive Director of the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation. He has spent most of his professional career creating and working for several entrepreneurial endeavors at the intersection of the for-profit and nonprofit worlds.

In previous roles, Brian has held leadership positions with two of America’s most effective social change organizations: College Summit and KaBOOM! Brian also was the Founding Executive Director of the Joshua Venture, a national venture philanthropy fund working to launch and support innovative nonprofits. In his business career, he was the CEO and Managing Partner of a chain of Ben & Jerry’s retail outlets in the San Francisco Bay Area and served as the Western Regional Business Manager for Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc. He has also helped to found several other nonprofit organizations and served as the President of the San Francisco Human Services Commission.

Listen now on iTunes , Google Play , and TuneIn.

National Institutes of Health Awards emocha Mobile Health $1 Million for Multi-State Study | emocha Mobile Health

emocha Mobile Health, a Baltimore-based company whose video-based technology helps people take their medications as directed, has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award from the National Institute On Minority Health And Health Disparities (NIMHD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The award gives emocha an additional $1 million over two years to evaluate its medication adherence platform for patients with tuberculosis (TB) in several sites throughout the United States. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine will conduct the evaluation.

Emergent BioSolutions Joins Effort to Combat National Public Health Threat From Opioid Overdose Through Acquisition of Adapt Pharma and Its Flagship Product NARCAN® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray | Seeking Alpha

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (EBS) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Adapt Pharma and its flagship product NARCAN® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray, the first and only needle-free formulation of naloxone approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada, for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose as manifested by respiratory and/or central nervous system depression. Total consideration for the transaction is up to $735 million consisting of an upfront payment of $635 million and up to $100 million in cash for potential sales-based milestones through 2022. The upfront payment of $635 million consists of $575 million in cash and $60 million in Emergent common stock, all of which are subject to certain adjustments under the terms of the agreement.

United Therapeutics strikes nine-figure deal with MannKind Corp. – Washington Business Journal

Silver Spring-based United Therapeutics Corp. announced Tuesday that it will pay a California company $95 million to develop a new form and delivery method of its flagship Remodulin drug to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BrainScope Receives $4.5 Million Department of Defense Contract to Add Ocular Assessment to Future Concussion Products — BrainScope

BrainScope today announced that it has been awarded a research contract by the United States Department of Defense (DOD) valued at $4.5 million to create and integrate ocular capabilities into its handheld, multi-parameter mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) and concussion products.

Immediate new opening for an NIH Entrepreneur in Residence

Machfu announces move to new Headquarters – Machfu

IBBR Announces UPenn and Texas A&M Biomedical Polyphosphazene Collaborations

The Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR) has entered into two separate collaborations involving its polyphosphazene (PPZ) polymer platform. PPZs are synthetic, biofunctional macromolecules with the potential to advance a wide range of biomedical capabilities. IBBR Fellow, Dr. Alexander Andrianov, is working with collaborators to develop new PPZs for use as coatings for medical devices and as carriers of medical imaging agents.

Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. – Success Story – Markets Insider

Rare blood disorders are on VERALOX Therapeutics Inc.’s “hit” list. The company, a small molecule drug discovery and development firm based in the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI), launched in September 2017 with a mission to develop a first-in-class therapeutic targeting rare immune-mediated blood disorders, beginning with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and HIT with thrombosis (HITT). These life-threatening diseases have a high mortality rate and often require limb amputations due to complications. The drug, VLX-1005, is the only therapeutic in development that strikes at the source of HITT and has performed impressively in clinically relevant animal models. Additionally, it has demonstrated preservation of insulin secretion and promotion of beta cell survival in newly-diagnosed type I diabetes patient samples, providing significant opportunities for market expansion into diabetes.

Submit your proposal for our $100K pediatric pitch competition – Final Week to Submit

You have one week left to submit your proposal for our $100K pediatric pitch competition focused on pediatric cardiovascular devices that meet a significant unmet need. The submission deadline is Sept. 10.

If chosen as a finalist, you will have an opportunity to pitch your device to our distinguished panel of judges on Sept. 23 as part of our annual pediatric device symposium.

Johns Hopkins’ new Remington space ready to welcome students, entrepreneurs – Baltimore Business Journal

A new space designed to promote student entrepreneurship is open near Johns Hopkins University’s Homewood campus as the school welcomes students back to campus this week.

Mason researcher part of team awarded $2.5 million grant for investigating remedies to deadly virus | George Mason

A George Mason University researcher is heading a scientific team that has received a sizable Department of Defense grant to combat the threat of a South American disease that can cause long-term neurological problems and even death.

Maryland matches $1 million donation from Brin family for professors at UMd – Maryland Daily Record

The state of Maryland has matched a donation from the family of Google co-founder Sergey Brin to endow two professorships in computer science at the University of Maryland, College Park, the university announced Wednesday. The $1 million from the state will match a private donation to endow the Brin Family Endowed Professorships in Theoretical Computer Science.

SBA Awards Grants to 24 State and Local Economic Development Entities, SBTDCs, and Universities to Support Small Business Innovation and R&D Commercialization

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has granted 24 awards for $125,000 in FY 2018 under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program. Recipients include state and local economic development entities, Small Business Technology Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, incubators, accelerators, colleges, and universities that provide support to small businesses developing and commercializing high risk technologies.

Baltimore-based PathSensors detects growth opportunity in China – Technical.ly Baltimore

Baltimore biotech company PathSensors is looking to enter the Chinese market.

Virtual Reality Surgical System Comes to Children’s National Hospital – VRFocus

In healthcare, immersive technology has a number of benefits. Many of these have been demonstrated in a number of ways, whether that is through distracting from pain, or helping to train new doctors. One of the most promising is how virtual reality (VR) can assist in surgery. This technology is being introduced to the Children’s National Health System in Washington D.C.

Stryker aims to boost flagging spine division with $1.4B acquisition of K2M – MedCity News

Orthopedics company Stryker announced Thursday that it is buying K2M Group Holdings, a maker of 3-D printed implantable, minimally invasive spine products, for $1.4 billion. Analysts reacted positively pointing out that while a small player K2M will help to boost Stryker’s spine division that has not been performing well as of late.

Navigating the Life Sciences Funding Landscape – JPMorgan Chase

At each stage of growth for a life sciences firm, the funding needs change. Learn about the different types of capital investors and which ones might work best for your firm as a funding source.

Massachusetts is no longer the king of biotech R&D employment – Boston Business Journal

Massachusetts’ renowned biotech cluster has relinquished its top spot on the ranking of states with the highest research and development employment to its longtime West Coast rival.

Inova Fall Entrepreneur Program FREE 3-month series designed to provide entrepreneurs a comprehensive set of skills required to execute the commercialization and growth of healthtech companies

Network & learn from industry leaders – speakers from NEA, Merritt Group, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, MPR Associates, Center for Innovative Technology, and more!

2019 FLC Awards Nominations Now Open! – Federal Labs

The 2019 FLC awards are now open for nominations. One of the most coveted honors in the technology transfer field, the FLC awards have been presented to over 200 federal laboratories since their inception in 1984. Many winning technology transfer efforts have gone on to become products and devices that are indispensable in our daily lives.

MAVA Announces Sixteen Technology Companies To Take Stage At TechBUZZ Fall 2018 – citybizlist

As part of its 30+ year commitment to foster the growth of exceptional and promising market-leading companies from founding to exit, the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA) is proud to announce that 16 companies will take the stage at TechBUZZ Fall 2018 on Thursday, September 20, 2018 in College Park, Maryland from 10:00am – 7:00pm at The Hotel at the University of Maryland. TechBUZZ, a ticketed business program hosted three times annually, is MAVA’s flagship seed and early-stage program dedicated to the support of the earliest of market-ready tech and tech-enabled companies across industry sector.

The New Fabric of Baltimore – Anchor Ventures

When: Thursday, September 20, 2018 4:00 – 7:00 PM EST

Where: Columbus Center 701 E Pratt St Baltimore, MD 21202

Innovation Is No Accident — Invite It In With These 4 Steps

For entrepreneurs and small business owners, innovation is essential. It differentiates them from their similar-sized competitors, and it’s what allows them to compete with much larger organizations and still thrive.

BioBuzz with Immunomic Therapeutics – September 13

When: Thursday, September 13, 2018 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT

Where: Bar Louie 150 Gibbs St Rockville, MD 20850

Please join us next month at BioBuzz and meet this year’s ‘Buzz of BIO’ winner and Annual BioBuzz Sponsor, Immunomic Therapeutics (ITI), at Bar Louie in Rockville on September 13th. Get to know the team behind the company that is receivivng such widespread industry attention for the recent evolution of their innovative technology platform, UNITE, which has the potential to alter how we use immunotherapy for cancer, allergies and animal health.

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