BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives Archives - Page 38 of 65

Jan 23 2018

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288th Edition – January 23, 2018

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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January 23, 2018

University of Maryland Baltimore President Dr. Jay Perman Interviewed on New Episode of BHI Podcast – BioTalk with Rich Bendis

Dr. Jay Perman, President, University of Maryland, Baltimore, joins Rich Bendis for a BioHealth Capital Region conversation. They cover topics from Innovation and Commercialization to Community and Education in the region. Dr. Perman is the sixth President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore. His presidency is marked by a commitment to such issues as interprofessional education, community engagement, innovation and commercialization, and economic development.

Listen now on iTunes , Google Play , TuneIn and on the BHI Website.

Think Resources: BioHealth Innovation – Rich Bendis interview with MCEDC

MCEDC talks with Rich Bendis, President and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, about how his organization fuels the science industry in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Montgomery County on Shortlist for Second Amazon Headquarters – Bethesda Beat – Bethesda, MD

Montgomery County has been named one of 20 potential sites for Amazon’s second headquarters, the tech company announced Thursday morning.

Protenus plans Baltimore hiring push after raising $11M Series B – Technical.ly Baltimore

Six months after closing its most recent funding, Protenus reported raising $11 million in Series B funding, and is planning more hiring.

This Rockville incubator is designed to help small firms get federal contracts – Technical.ly DC

Trying to get your company into the federal marketplace? The GovCon Incubator is designed to teach you the ropes.

Qiagen, HTG Molecular Begin Third Project Under CDx Development Pact – GenomeWeb

HTG Molecular Diagnostics said today that it has entered into a third project for a new clinical assay development program under an existing master assay development, commercialization, and manufacturing agreement with Qiagen.

JHU’s Christy Wyskiel recognized for impact on companies, communities in Baltimore | Hub

Christy Wyskiel, senior advisor to the president of Johns Hopkins University for enterprise development, has been named to the Baltimore Business Journal’s Power 10, “a group of leaders, both veteran and emerging, who are making a significant impact on their companies and communities.”

Johns Hopkins-Led Team Develops Blood Test to Detect Multiple Early-Stage Cancers | GenomeWeb

An international team led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University has developed a test that analyzes circulating DNA and proteins for the detection and possible localization of multiple early-stage cancer types.

Qiagen Gets FDA OK for Expanded Use of EGFR CDx for Lung Cancer Drug – GenomeWeb

Qiagen said today that the US Food and Drug Administration has extended the indications for use of its Therascreen EGFR RGQ PCR kit to guide the use of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Gilotrif (afatanib) for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer harboring non-resistant EGFR mutations.

KeyGene Licenses University of Wisconsin Sequence-Based Genotyping Patents – Keygene

KeyGene and the University of Wisconsin-Madison announced today that they have entered into a service license agreement to practice KeyGene’s patented Sequence Based Genotyping (SBG) methods. Under the agreement, UW-Madison, through its Biotechnology Center (UWBC), is licensed to offer SBG services in all species to research collaborators and clients worldwide.

Solera Health and WellDoc Partner to Offer Health Plans and Employers a Holistic Approach to Diabetes Prevention and ManagementSolera Health will integrate the BlueStar® Digital Therapeutic, a… | Markets Insider

Solera Health, an integrated benefit network, and WellDoc®, a leading digital therapeutic company, announced today that WellDoc’s BlueStar® digital therapeutic will join the Solera network as a diabetes management solution of choice. The partnership aligns both companies’ goals to improve the lives of those living with chronic diseases while enhancing clinical results and decreasing overall healthcare costs.

Lupin receives FDA approval for generic Tamiflu Capsules

Pharma Major Lupin announced that it has received final approval for its Oseltamivir Phosphate Capsules USP, 30 mg (base), 45 mg (base), and 75 mg (base) from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market a generic version of Hoffman-La Roche, Inc.’s Tamiflu Capsules, 30 mg, 45 mg, and 75 mg.

James B. Murray Jr. and Todd A. Stottlemyer: Higher education investments and business partnerships can transform Virginia | THEIR OPINION | richmond.com

Virginia’s able new leaders have pledged bipartisan collaboration. Crafting a new investment strategy for the commonwealth would be an excellent place to start.

Economic development head sees continued strength in tech for county | Employment | fredericknewspost.com

The technology industry will be a big part of Frederick County’s economic future, and the county has the young workers available to support the growth, the head of Frederick County’s Office of Economic Development believes.

A Cheap and Easy Blood Test Could Catch Cancer Early – MIT Technology Review

A simple-to-take test that tells if you have a tumor lurking, and even where it is in your body, is a lot closer to reality—and may cost only $500.

Where the money is: Top 100 VCs investing in US biotechs during 2017 – Endpoints News

It was a big year for US biotechs raising cash from VCs, with flush investors sinking a record-breaking $10.5 billion into new and growing companies during 2017.

Colleges Are Key Players in Cities’ Bids to Host Amazon’s 2nd Headquarters – The Chronicle of Higher Education

Since Amazon narrowed its list of potential locations for a second headquarters on Thursday from over 200 qualifying regions to just 20 finalists, colleges in those lucky cities have become more hopeful that they might reap the benefits if the huge company comes to town.

The Medicaid Agency of the Future: What capabilities and leadership will it need? | McKinsey & Company

Medicaid’s scale and complexity are unprecedented. State Medicaid leaders will need to innovate if they are to develop the capabilities that will enable them to steer their agencies into the future.

Startup Maryland™ Unveils Video Pitches from the 2017 STRT1UP Roadshow Tour and Celebration of Innovation | Entrepreneurship

Startup Maryland today unveils video pitches from the participants in the 2017 STRT1UP Roadshow. Entrants are now in the running for the Pitch Across Maryland competition. Categories this year for the Pitch Across Maryland include:

Fan Favorite; Champions’ Choice; Industries (Cyber, Manufacturing, LifeScience, Social Innovation); Overall Winner

The STRT1UP Roadshow, which is the year-long tour around the state of Maryland, celebrates the vibrant ecosystem around innovation and entrepreneurship. During the roadshow, entrepreneurs climb on the Startup Maryland video bus to deliver a 2-4 minute video pitch summarizing their venture and opportunity. Each presenter receives a link to a professionally-edited version of their video for free and then all the videos are posted on the Startup Maryland YouTube channel as part of the Pitch Across Maryland competition. The following link takes you to where participant videos can be found in Playlists based on the location/tour stop at which 2016 companies pitched:

Who wins as healthcare undergoes unprecedented changes – Business Insider

It’s been an exciting and at times challenging few years for the healthcare industry.

New I-Corps project to help D.C. startups market technology – The GW Hatchet

A 4-year-old entrepreneurship program is getting a D.C. twist.

The Innovation Corps, a program that helps researchers commercialize products, will expand its Accelerate D.C. program this month, which will give $25,000 grants to eight startup teams from the D.C. community and mid-Atlantic region that are not involved with GW. Officials said the new venture will widen the focus of I-Corps, a program that has traditionally helped faculty researchers market products from golf ball designs to water quality tests in regional sites around the country.

UMBC produces more black MD, PhD graduates than any other U.S. school – Baltimore Business Journal

University of Maryland, Baltimore County produces more black M.D. and Ph.D. degree-earners than any other college in the country, according to new data from the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Johns Hopkins Just Got the Largest Donation Ever Given to a Philosophy Department – The Chronicle of Higher Education

A well-known investor is giving a $75-million donation to the Johns Hopkins University’s philosophy department, and the university is calling the gift the largest ever for a philosophy program. With the funds, the department will be named for William H. (Bill) Miller III, the donor, and plans to add nine full-time faculty members to its current 13 within 10 years, according to a Hopkins news release.

Internships Help Community College Grads’ Job Prospects

Forty percent of recent associate degree graduates who had a relevant job or internship while in school had a good job waiting for them after graduation. By comparison, only 16% of those with a job or internship that was not relevant to their field of study had a good job waiting for them. Those without a job or internship fared worst of all, with only 6% saying they had a good job upon graduation.

Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative, Leonsis Family Entrepreneurship Prize hold ‘Bark Tank’ pitch competition – Washington Business Journal

A group of Georgetown University entrepreneurs will present their startups to a panel of high-profile judges Tuesday, in a competition following the popular “Shark Tank” model: a fight for funding.

Robots and researchers are teaming up to design better drugs

They say that speed kills, but in medical science it can also save lives.

NIH SBIR/STTR 2018 Omnibus (Parent) Grant Solicitations

NIH has launched a new series of initiatives to enhance the accountability and transparency of clinical research. ALL applications, including SBIR/STTR, proposing any specific aims that meet NIH’s definition of a clinical trial must now be submitted to a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) that specifically states it accepts clinical trials. These initiatives target key points along the whole clinical trial lifecycle.

What biotech venture capitalists think of massive early funding rounds – Business Insider

Over the past few years, biotech startups have been successful at raising large amounts of capital just as they’re starting out. It has led to a lot of unicorns, with multibillion-dollar-valued companies having raised hundreds of millions in their series A or B rounds.

Big plans for biotech by Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE: ARE) for Mission Bay’s last open commercial site – San Francisco Business Times

As biotech booms, and life sciences companies find it tough to find space, Alexandria Real Estate Equities plans an 11-story building with an emphasis on space and cash for startups.

HHS issues Four (4) PHS 2018-2 SBIR and STTR Omnibus/Parent Grant Solicitations with FORMS-E and Clinical Trials Policy Updates

2018 SBIR and STTR Omnibus/Parent Grant Solicitations for the NIH, CDC, and FDA, Clinical Trial Not Allowed and Clinical Trial Required

SBIR Omnibus/Parent Clinical Trial Not Allowed Funding Opportunity Announcement (PA-18-574)
STTR Omnibus/Parent Clinical Trial Not Allowed Funding Opportunity Announcement (PA-18-575)
SBIR Omnibus/Parent Clinical Trial Required Funding Opportunity Announcement (PA-18-573)
STTR Omnibus/Parent Clinical Trial Required Funding Opportunity Announcement (PA-18-576)

Major advances occurring in traumatic brain injury care for Soldiers – The United States Army

New developments in traumatic brain injury prevention, diagnosis and treatment are certain to improve patient health among Soldiers, as well as improve Army readiness, said Tracie Lattimore, director of the Army’s Traumatic Brain Injury program within the Office of the Army Surgeon General.

The 10 Most (And 10 Least) Innovative States In The U.S.

Thinking you want to make a move to an innovative new tech hub that’s on the front line when it comes to education, research and business development? Forget the expected enclaves of cool like San Francisco or Brooklyn. In-the-know millennials have already moved on to the next innovation hubs.

Jan 16 2018

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287th Edition – January 16, 2018

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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January 16, 2018

IP Strategies for Start-Ups – January 18th BHI 1:1 Office Hours with Experts

Are you worried about protecting your Intellectual Property? What about trademarks? How do you negotiate licenses? Have you thought through your patent strategy? How do you manage patents globally?

Learn about these issues and more from experts at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati who will provide advice through 1:1 sessions at the Montgomery County Innovation Center in Rockville this Thursday, January 18th.

Preregistration by noon tomorrow, 1/17, REQUIRED. (Sessions filled on a first come-first served basis.)

Rockville Innovation Center (155 Gibbs Street, Rockville)

1:1 Office Hours – 9:10 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

9:10-9:40 a.m. Booked

9:45-10:15 a.m. Booked

10:20-10:50 a.m. Booked

10:55 – 11:25 a.m. Booked

11:30 – 12:00 p.m. Booked

BREAK

1:10 – 1:40 p.m. Booked

1:45 – 2:15 p.m. RSVP

2:20 – 3:10 p.m. RSVP

3:15 – 3:45 p.m. RSVP

REGENXBIO and AveXis Announce Expansion of Relationship through Amended License Agreement for the Development and Commercialization of Treatments for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Nasdaq:AVXS

REGENXBIO Inc. (Nasdaq:RGNX) and AveXis, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVXS) today announced that they have entered into an amendment which expands upon the exclusive, worldwide license agreement they entered into in March 2014 (2014 License Agreement) for the development and commercialization of products to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). AveXis’ initial proprietary gene therapy candidate, AVXS-101, is in a pivotal trial for the treatment of SMA Type 1, and a Phase 1 trial for SMA Type 2. AVXS-101 uses REGENXBIO’s NAV AAV9 vector.

Qiagen and DiaSorin partner on tuberculosis testing

Qiagen has announced a new partnership with DiaSorin that will allow the companies to offer new automated tuberculosis detection capabilities for their customers.

Voluntis and WellDoc Announce Partnership to Combine Diabetes Digital Therapeutic Offerings

Voluntis and WellDoc®, two of the industry’s leading digital therapeutics companies, announced today a commercial agreement aimed at combining Voluntis’ insulin titration technology with WellDoc’s extensive digital coaching platform to create a holistic digital diabetes management solution for patients, providers, health systems and health plans.

Machfu Announces Release of MACH-3 Industrial Internet of Things Platform and Gateway | Business Wire

Machfu, an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology company, announced today the release of its MACH-3 IIoT Gateway, a device allowing companies in energy, water, oil and gas as well as other industrial segments to seamlessly connect legacy infrastructure to cloud based IoT and existing SCADA systems. The product was designed to both simplify the connection and management of devices as well as provide a secure and easily customizable application framework to process and manage data at the network edge. The versatile functionalities of the MACH-3 IIoT Gateway will be demonstrated at the 2018 DistribuTECH show, January 22-25 in San Antonio, Texas.

D.C.-area technology investment soared in 2017, but early-stage firms still struggle – The Washington Post

Venture capitalists poured $1.55 billion into D.C. area technology start-ups last year, an industry report found, as a handful of so-called megadeals propelled the region to a six-year high for technology investing in 2017.

TAI Diagnostics Raises $10M, Inks Deal With United Therapeutics – Xconomy

TAI Diagnostics said earlier this week that it had closed a $10 million round of funding and forged a new partnership with United Therapeutics (NASDAQ: UTHR).

EU Approves AstraZeneca’s Respiratory Biologic | BioPharm International

AstraZeneca and MedImmune, its biologics research and development arm, announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved the companies’ respiratory biologic, benralizumab, as an add-on maintenance treatment for adults with severe eosinophilic asthma that is inadequately controlled despite high-dose inhaled corticosteroids, plus long-acting b-agonists.

PepVax Announces Completion of Efficacy Study with Key Pre-Clinical Data to Validate PVX-009,

PepVax, Inc., an early-stage biotechnology company, announced today that it has successfully completed the efficacy study for its lead candidate, PVX-009. The Company is harnessing the power of the immune system to target a specific protein, MAGE A, in an effort to find a treatment for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Apply to Trajectory Next- University of Maryland Graduate School

Trajectory Next will provide formalized support and guidance to companies to help them execute a pilot, establish traction, and improve their ability to attract and attain customers.

Key takeaways from the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference – MedCity News

It’s another year, and the annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, along with all the small and big events it has spawned, has concluded. San Franciscans have their city back from the money-seeking health entrepreneurs, the CEOs, their retinue, and the investor hordes.

Novavax veteran lines up as next president of Icon’s ClinicalRM | FierceBiotech

Icon has hired a retired colonel who is moving into the biotech sphere as new president of its subsidiary ClinicalRM. James Cummings, M.D., will lead the CRO’s unit, which helps provide research to a range of U.S. federal health agencies.

Precision For Medicine Expands Services In Europe, Announces Next Generation Biomarker Data Management And Translational Informatics Platform

Precision for Medicine, part of Precision Medicine Group, today announced it is expanding its biomarker data management and translational informatics services into Europe. The addition of a Geneva, Switzerland-based team of experts complements Precision’s US offerings to provide clients with truly global translational research services. The Geneva team also gives Precision another European operational base, continuing Precision’s active international expansion.

R&D Grants Available for Maryland’s Hi-Tech Entrepreneurs

Grants up to $1 million are available from the US-Israel Bi-national R&D (BIRD) Foundation to support new product development R&D, conducted as a joint project between American and Israeli companies. The grants are only to be repaid if the resulting technology successfully achieves sales in the market. BIRD’s wide-ranging scope extends to Agriculture, Communications, Life Sciences, Electronics, Software, Homeland Security, Renewable and Alternative Energy and more. The Maryland/Israel Development Center (MIDC) coordinates the BIRD program for our state.

Alexandria Venture Investments Launches the Alexandria Seed Capital Platform, a Novel and

Alexandria Venture Investments, the strategic venture capital arm of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), an urban office REIT uniquely focused on collaborative life science and technology campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, today announced the formal launch of the Alexandria Seed Capital Platform, an innovative funding model that brings together leaders from across the life science community to catalyze seed-stage investment in the most promising life science startups.

Roche, GE to develop digital diagnostics platform – MarketWatch

Roche Holding AG (ROG.EB) said Monday that it has entered into a strategic partnership with GE Healthcare to jointly develop and market a digital clinical-decision support platform.

Pharma, biotech will repatriate billions thanks to Trump’s tax bill, Alexandria Real Estate chair says | Fox Business

The pharma and biotech industry will send billions of dollars back to the United States as a result of President Donald Trump’s tax overhaul, Alexandria Real Estate (ARE) Chairman Joel Marcus said on Monday.

15 companies graduate from UMBC’s bwtech, ready to grow on their own – Baltimore Business Journal

More than 110 companies have graduated since bwtech@UMBC began offering incubation services in 1989.

A dynamite year for VC – NVCA

Explore the infographic to discover key insights from the upcoming 4Q PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor. For a complete analysis of VC activity, sign up to receive the full report—we’ll send it to you as soon as it publishes on Jan. 17.

Lupin receives FDA approval for generic Tamiflu Capsules

UMBC launches program to prep students for biotech careers in partnership with Montgomery College and The Universities at Shady Grove – UMBC NEWS

A new degree program developed jointly by UMBC and Montgomery College (MC), and soon to be offered at The Universities at Shady Grove (USG), will create opportunities for students of all backgrounds to pursue high-demand careers in the life sciences. The four-year Translational Life Science Technology (TLST) program, which leads to a bachelor of science degree from UMBC, will train students in the fundamentals of biochemistry, cell biology, epidemiology, statistics, lab instrumentation, and biochemical engineering, as well as give students opportunities to develop sought-after skills such as analytical thinking, teamwork, and data evaluation. The TLST program is accepting students now, and courses will begin in fall 2018.

Press release – KeyGene Licenses University of Wisconsin Sequence-Based Genotyping Patents – Keygene

Pfizer Halts Drug Research For Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Because It’s Too Expensive [Updated]

Pfizer, one of the world’s largest drug companies, announced over the weekend that it would stop work on new drugs to fight Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The reason? Pfizer believes that research on the two diseases doesn’t make sense financially.

Jackson Lab Wins $3.2M NIH Grant to Develop Epigenome Modification Tech – GenomeWeb

The Jackson Laboratory has been awarded a $3.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop an epigenome modification technology for studying gene regulation in biological processes and disease states.

The 10 Most Innovative Life Sciences Deals of 2017 – LAKE WHILLANS

In recent years, Lake Whillans has published extensively on the multifaceted interplay between the legal market and the life sciences industry, specifically identifying the most active and relevant law firms for life science companies.

GSK CEO Emma Walmsley on diversity in pharma – INSIDER

GlaxoSmithKline CEO Emma Walmsley made history in 2017, when she became the first woman to head up a major pharmaceutical company.

Cell Therapy Manufacturing: All Signs Point to Commercialization – GEN

Cell therapy is the delivery of living cells to treat, or potentially cure, a person’s disease. The transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells from a donor to a recipient to create bone marrow, for instance, is one well-established form of cell therapy.

Which drug patents expire in 2018? – MedCity News

To state the obvious: Drugs are increasingly complex and so are their patent lives.

Where Big Pharma Giants And Their Venture Arms Are Betting On Cancer Therapies

2018 is already seeing big deals in the cancer therapy space with Celgene’s recent buyout of Impact Biomedicines, which develops a key drug for treating complex cancers.

Other big pharma names like Pfizer, Novartis, and GlaxoSmithKline have also been active in the last 5 years with key investments to cancer startups as they make bets to avoid missing out on strengthening their cancer drug pipelines.

Venture Capital Funding Trends Report 2017

US ANNUAL FUNDING TOPS $70B FOR SECOND TIME

2017 was the second year that saw dollar funding top $70B, but deals declined for the third straight year, falling 4% from 2016 and reaching the lowest annual total since 2012.

CDC: Worst flu season in years – GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) – Seeking Alpha

The entire continental U.S. is experiencing widespread flu right now, the first time in the 13 years of the current tracking system that that has happened, according to the CDC.

The Sad Story of How a DC Tech Incubator Fell Apart – Washingtonian

Once heralded as a centerpiece of DC’s tech scene, start-up incubator 1776 proved less revolutionary than its name.

Jan 09 2018

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286th Edition – January 9, 2018

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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January 9, 2018

IP Strategies for Start-Ups – January 18th BHI Boost™ Seminars & 1:1 Office Hours

Are you worried about protecting your Intellectual Property? What about trademarks? Have you thought through your patent strategy? How do you manage patents globally?Are worried about protecting your Intellectual Property? What about trademarks? Have you thought through your patent strategy? How do you manage patents globally?

Learn about these issues and more from experts at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati who will provide advice through 1:1 sessions and seminars at the Montgomery County Innovation Centers on January 18th.

Preregistration is required. For more information, please contact BHI@BioHealthInnovationorg by Noon, January 17th.

What You Need to Know:

Seminar and/or 1:1 Office Hours with experts from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Rockville Innovation Center

8 a.m.-9 a.m. – Networking Breakfast and Presentation (RSVP)

1:1 Office Hours (pre-registration required):

9:10-9:40 a.m.

9:45-10:15 a.m.

10:20-10:50 a.m.

10:55 – 11:25 a.m.

11:30 – 12:00 p.m.

Germantown Innovation Center

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. – Networking Lunch and Presentation (RSVP)

1:1 Office Hours (pre-registration required):

1:40 – 2:10 p.m.

2:15 – 2:45 p.m.

2:50 – 3:20 p.m.

3:25 – 3:55 p.m.

NexImmune Raises $23 Million to Advance Endogenous Cellular ImmunoTherapy into Clinical Development | Markets Insider

NexImmune, an emerging leader in the field of antigen-directed immunotherapy, announced the closing of a Series A financing co-led by new investor ArrowMark Partners and existing investor Barer & Son Capital, along with significant participation from Piedmont Capital Partners. In conjunction with the financing, Tony Yao, MD, PhD, a Partner at ArrowMark Partners, will join NexImmune’s Board of Directors.

MacroGenics Enters Research Collaboration with Roche to Develop a Novel Bispecific Molecule – NASDAQ.com

MacroGenics, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGNX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, as well as various autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases, announced today that it had entered into a research collaboration and license agreement with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. to jointly discover and develop novel bispecific molecules to undisclosed targets. During the research term, both companies will leverage their respective platforms, including MacroGenics’ DART® platform and Roche’s CrossMAb and DutaFab technologies to select a bispecific format and lead product candidate. Roche would then further develop and commercialize any such product candidate.

Personal Genome Diagnostics closes $75M Series B, plans second Baltimore office – Technical.ly Baltimore

Canton-based Personal Genome Diagnostics closed on $75 million in Series B funding and plans to triple its square footage with a new office.

Emergent BioSolutions Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Study to Evaluate FLU-IGIV to Treat Serious Influenza A Infection

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) today announced the initiation of a Phase 2 dose ranging study to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and clinical benefit of FLU-IGIV, the company’s anti-influenza immune globulin being developed as an intravenous treatment for serious illness caused by influenza A infection in hospitalized patients.

Hopkins-born startup PathoVax wins $2.5 million, nears clinical trial readiness – Baltimore Business Journal

The grants came through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the National Science Foundation.

The Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS): 7. The relationship between control of intraocular pressure and visual field deterioration.The AGI… – PubMed – NCBI

Emmes is proud to have advanced Glaucoma research w/ support from @NatEyeInstitute! Our 1st ophthalmic trial (published in @AmJOphthalmol) showed little visual field deterioration in pts w/ low intraocular pressure

WellDoc Validates Potential of Its Digital Therapeutic, BlueStar®, to Significantly Reduce Healthcare Costs

WellDoc®, a leading digital health company, announced today that its clinically proven hemoglobin A1C reductions for users of its BlueStar® digital therapeutic with type 2 diabetes can translate into significant healthcare cost savings.

‘Hey, Dude, Where’s My Exclusivity?’: United Therapeutics, FDA Tussle – Bloomberg BNA

Silver Spring, Md.-based United Therapeutics Corp. and the FDA are duking it out in court over whether the agency improperly denied the biotechnology company seven years of orphan drug exclusivity for its drug Orenitram.

Ex-Pfizer CEO’s startup Centrexion gets $67M for PhIII painkiller – Endpoints News

Centrexion Therapeutics, a Boston-based startup led by ex-Pfizer CEO Jeff Kindler, just raised $67 million to bring its painkiller drug into Phase III trials. If it works, the treatment should appease regulators concerned with addiction problems, as the drug is a non-opioid and non-steroid way to treat pain.

Summer R.I.S.E. 2018 – WorkSource Montgomery

Are you interested in investing in Montgomery County’s future workforce? Sign up to be a career experience host for WorkSource Montgomery’s Summer RISE program at Summer-rise.com!

Play a key role in a successful initiative that provides Real Interesting Summer Experiences to rising Montgomery County Public School’s juniors and seniors. Last summer, the program supported career exploration and industry insights for more than 360 students with the help of over 185 host organizations. Summer RISE 2017 hosts had rewarding experiences, saying their students were professional, creative, engaged and motivated to learn.

BBJ: UMB Startup Raises $3 Million, Adding to Big Year – UM Ventures

A Baltimore startup developing artificial organ technology has raised about $3 million in equity funding, according to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission documents.

Medical device firm Breethe Inc. reported the round this month, which included 22 investors.

First Stereotactic Radiation Therapy System Designed to Treat Early Stage Breast Cancer Receives FDA Clearance | UM Ventures

The GammaPod ™ – a first-of-its kind stereotactic radiotherapy system to treat early stage breast cancer – has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), paving the way for the manufacturer to bring the system to market for the treatment of breast cancer patients.

Bluefield Innovations thinks this JHU cancer research could become a new Baltimore company – Technical.ly Baltimore

Cancer research helmed by a Johns Hopkins radiation oncology professor is the first to receive backing from a fund backing work that might create startups.

All Eyes on Better Health at CES 2018: Innovation Awards Honoree RightEye Debuts EyeQ System | Business Wire

RightEye LLC, an award-winning technology innovator using eye tracking to revolutionize patient care and vision performance, announced today it will be debuting its new RightEye EyeQ system tonight at CES Unveiled Las Vegas at 5:00 p.m. at the Mandalay Bay Shorelines Exhibit Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada. EyeQ gives people a closer look at their health using quick, computer game-style vision tests on an eye-tracking computer. The tests, which only take a few minutes, generate an instant EyeQ Report that provides results in an easy-to-understand format to support discussion with doctors on diagnosis and recommended therapies.

Alexandria Real Estate wants to plant a forest in life sciences building along I-5 in Seattle – Puget Sound Business Journal

Alexandria Real Estate recently completed a large building on the west side of Lake Union and now it’s starting to plan one on Eastlake.

2017: A Banner Year for MdBio!

It’s hard to believe that the book has already closed on 2017. As we turn the calendar to 2018, I wanted to pause and share some highlights from MdBio’s monumental last twelve months. Partners, supporters and STEM advocates like you are instrumental to our success – thank you for all that you have done in support of MdBio and our programs.

Biomaterials Could Extend the Success of Immunotherapies – GEN

The use of biomaterials, such as microneedles and nanoparticles, in immunotherapy and vaccine research is a hot topic in bioengineering. But to get the maximum return on investment in these ideas, they need to be seeded among clinicians, according to Christopher Jewell, Ph.D., associate professor in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering at the University of Maryland. Jewell is the principal author on a new paper in Trends in Immunology that reviews the current state of biomaterials research with an eye toward inspiring multidisciplinary teams of engineers and clinicians to solve some of the complex problems in immunology today.

AMA Incubator Invests $10 Million in Blockchain Health Startup – CoinDesk

Blockchain startup Akiri has received $10 million in Series A funding to develop a distributed ledger platform for health data.

AUTM – FY2016 Licensing Survey

More than ever, academic technology transfer is driving economic development.

The number of invention disclosures — a direct measure of institutional impact on innovation — has been on the rise the past five years, growing to 25,825 in 2016.
16,487 new U.S. patent applications were filed, a gain of 3 percent over the prior year, and 7,021 U.S. patents were issued, up 5 percent from last year.
The 1,024 startups formed made a direct impact on local economies with more than 73 percent of these new businesses remaining in the institution’s home state.
Consumers and businesses benefited from 800 new products.

Boehringer Ingelheim expands Venture Funds to €250m – European Biotechnology

Originally, the BIVF was designed to put investments of up to €10-15m into early stage companies focused on immunomodulation, tissue regeneration, small and large molecule drugs, and new therapeutic modalities. The fund, launched in 2010, had a volume of €100m, 22 portfolio companies from which already one exited (Okairos).

Trump FDA Chief Scott Gottlieb Isn’t Pharma’s BFF After All – Bloomberg Gadfly

Scott Gottlieb seems like the pharmaceutical industry’s idea of a dream FDA Commissioner, with pharma ties and an ideological bent toward deregulation.

How computer vision will redesign healthcare – MedCity News

Currently, we depend upon the eyes, ears, and touch of medical staff to examine the human body and diagnose patients. Physicians must identify abnormalities of the skin, check for any bodily irregularities, examine complex MRIs, listen for arrhythmias, and inspect CT scans day in and day out. While all of these tasks seem routine, they actually test physicians’ knowledge about everything that could possibly be wrong with the human body.

2017 Was A Banner Year For Innovation. But Will It Be Short-Lived?

2017 was an extraordinary year in the history of medicine. It was the year when scientists beat cancer, and U.S. regulators approved the first therapy to fix a faulty gene. It was also a year that kept us enthralled with a quickening drumbeat of breathtaking news detailing spectacular advances – trials seemingly curing patients of hemophilia A and sickle cell anemia, and breakthroughs raising similar hopes for Huntington’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and even HIV.

BIOTECH AND MEDTECH SEED FUNDING: WHAT LIES AHEAD? – PANELLIST PREVIEW

The 4th annual Biotech and Money/Medtech and Money World Congress will offer insight into the investment landscape for biotech and medtech companies via a series of panel discussions with leading investors in the sector. Those attending the two-day event in London can hear from experienced investors about the current state of funding for life science companies at varying stages of development. This includes a focus on seed funding, with panel discussions on ‘Seed funding for biotech development’ and ‘PanEuropean medtech seed funding’.

Xconomy: San Diego Life Sciences 2022: Photos and Takeaways

Making predictions can be a tricky business. Nevertheless, Xconomy recently brought together some of San Diego’s most prominent life sciences leaders to offer their vision for what the regional biotech cluster will be like in five years.

7 Key Cancer Trends For 2018

I expect progress. Here’s my list of major trends and issues that will affect the lives of cancer patients in 2018:

China-based pharma firm KBP Biosciences plans HQ move to Philly area

A drug development company has raised $76 million from investors in China, the United States, and Korea to move its headquarters to the Philadelphia area from Jinan, China, and bring treatments developed by China-based scientists through U.S. clinical testing to patients here.

Jan 02 2018

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285th Edition – January 2, 2018

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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January 2, 2018

Happy New Year from BioHealth Innovation!

Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) CEO George Davis Interviewed on New Episode of BHI Podcast – BioTalk with Rich Bendis

George Davis, CEO of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), joins Rich Bendis to discuss the Economic Development Balance, Goals for Business in the State, and the Partnership across the Region.

Listen now on iTunes , Google Play , and TuneIn.

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals to be acquired by Mallinckrodt in $1.2B deal – Washington Business Journal

Global pharmaceutical company Mallinckrodt Plc (NYSE: MNK) has entered an agreement to buy Rockville’s Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: SCMP) for $1.2 billion including debt.

Maryland’s Precision Medicine Group Lands $275M – BioSpace

Precision Medicine Group announced it had raised $275 million. The round was led by Berkshire Partners and TPG Growth, with participation from its co-founders and management team, as well as original investors Oak Investment Partners and J.H. Whitney.

Seven Emmes Employees Recognized in Lancet Study Comparing Two Opioid Treatments

The Emmes Corporation today announced its participation in a three-year study testing the results of two different opioid treatment medications. The research, published in one of the world’s oldest and best known medical journals, concluded that for those able to begin treatment, both drugs are nearly equal in their safety and effectiveness. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) funded the research.

BHI Boost™ Seminars and 1:1 Office Hours – January 18th

Intellectual Property: What You Need to Know

Seminar and/or 1:1 Office Hours with experts from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Rockville Innovation Center

8 a.m.-9 a.m. – Networking Breakfast and Presentation (RSVP)

1:1 Office Hours (pre-registration required):

9:10-9:40 a.m.

9:45-10:15 a.m.

10:20-10:50 a.m.

10:55 – 11:25 a.m.

11:30 – 12:00 p.m.

Germantown Innovation Center

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. – Networking Lunch and Presentation (RSVP)

1:1 Office Hours (pre-registration required):

1:40 – 2:10 p.m.

2:15 – 2:45 p.m.

2:50 – 3:20 p.m.

3:25 – 3:55 p.m.

Sisu is hiring in Baltimore… – Carolyn Yarina on LinkedIn

Sisu is hiring in Baltimore and Ghana. Sisu is a medical device company for emerging markets and these hires will play an integral role as we launch Hemafuse in Ghana and Kenya. Hemafuse is a device that can salvage and recycle a person’s own blood from internal bleeding. Sisu is seeking a baltimore-based Program Manager and Production Manager (posting soon). We are also hiring a Ghana-based Marketing manager and Africa-based Sales director. Click on the blog post to see more!

Roche’s $1.7B precision medicine acquisition of Ignyta targets cancers with rare mutations – MedCity News

Swiss pharma giant Roche has given itself a pricey holiday gift and deepened its oncology product portfolio with its $1.7 billion acquisition of immuno-oncology business Ignyta. Based in San Diego, the company tests, identifies, and treat patients with cancers that come with rare mutations.

USM looks to commercialization to supplement federal research money – Maryland Daily Record

When the University System of Maryland set its strategic plan for the next 10 years in 2010, it hoped to double the system’s externally sponsored research and development funding from $1.2 billion to $2.4 billion. Instead, as federal dollars have dried up, that number has remained relatively flat, up to just $1.27 billion with three years

| Year in Review: NEA ranks as most active investor in 2017

New Enterprise Associates made the most venture deals for the second year in a row in 2017, with 125 investments totaling $914 million, according to VCJ’s analysis of preliminary Thomson Reuters data through mid-December.

These 12 Baltimore startups got acquired in 2017 – Technical.ly Baltimore

While 2016 was marked by a changing landscape as the city’s tech community expanded into new neighborhoods, 2017 was defined by moves from the companies themselves.

NIH Applicant Assistance Program (AAP)

Application deadlines:

JANUARY 15, 2018 for New Applications

FEBRUARY 5, 2018 for Re-submissions

APRIL 5, 2018 for Grant Submission

As part of your application, you will need to complete and upload a one page abstract as well as upload your curriculum vitae (CV). Please download the abstract guidelines and provide your abstract in the requested format. You will be able to upload additional supporting documents once your application has been submitted by following the link that will arrive in your confirmation email.

MoCo’s Kings and Queens of the North in Maryland

Life sciences are booming with over 10M SF lab space, Shady Grove is producing a modest mini-city, and the Purple Line is revving its engines!

Come learn about market trends and developments in Shady Grove, Silver Spring, Rockville Pike, Germantown, Gaithersburg, and the Life Sciences Corridor.

Sign up today to take part in what promises to be a fun, exciting, and influential morning. Gain invaluable information and enjoy networking with your friends and colleagues in the industry.

Inside Johns Hopkins’ plans to galvanize more student entrepreneurs – Technical.ly Baltimore

During the fall semester, students at Johns Hopkins who were interested in starting a company had some new options to turn to as they looked to develop their ideas and meet other entrepreneurs at the university.

Financial Incentives for Maryland Businesses

Maryland is open for business and here’s another way our state supports companies seeking capital. Maryland Commerce has launched a new, searchable site that lets you search and find just the right program to fund your business. With the ability to filter by type of program, category or keyword, the Financial Incentives database is a great place to find grants, tax credits, loans and training. Give it a try!

MAJOR CAPITAL REGION EMPLOYERS REVEAL PRESSING NEED FOR TECH TALENT – Greater Washington Partnership

Today, the Greater Washington Partnership (the Partnership), a civic alliance of CEOs that together employ more than 175,000 workers in the region, released a new report that outlines why developing, attracting and retaining digital technology workers will be imperative for the Capital Region’s future growth and economic competitiveness.

How Tax Reform Will Impact Developmental Biotech – Seeking Alpha

The pharmaceutical industry as a whole is set to benefit from the tax reform vote to take place this week. The general reduction in corporate taxes and a special tax deduction for cash repatriated from overseas should see companies post improved returns to shareholders and a whole lot of cash freed up right away.

Roche scores cancer drug approvals in Europe and U.S.

Swiss drugmaker Roche has won fresh approvals for two cancer drugs in Europe and the United States, shoring up its position in new medicines as it braces for falling sales of older products.

DC Startup News: Tech Startup Funding, Investment in December

In covering the D.C. innovation economy comes the inevitable: funding news. Trust us, there’s a lot of it floating around the D.C. metro area. Here’s a roundup of all of the major funding news from the region in December:

Geisinger CEO discusses telehealth, precision medicine and more – MedCity News

Dr. David Feinberg has served as president and CEO of Danville, Pennsylvania-based Geisinger since 2015. Previously, he was president of UCLA Health System, CEO of UCLA’s hospitals and associate vice chancellor of UCLA Health Sciences.

J.P. Morgan’s head of life sciences for commercial banking shares biopharma industry insights for 2018 (Q&A) – MedCity News

The biopharma sector has had quite a year. Under FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, the regulator approved a record number of drugs and helped usher in innovative gene therapy treatments. Behavioral health drugs also marked a milestone with the approval of Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s Abilify MyCite, embedded with a sensor developed by Proteus Digital Health to remotely monitor medication adherence for people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.

3 highlights from the FDA’s year in digital health

The FDA has released a range of decisions regarding the agency’s role in regulating digital health technologies since Scott Gottlieb, MD, assumed the role of commissioner in May.

Here are three highlights from the FDA’s year in digital health.

Graduate School Open House Spring 2018 – FAES

Join us on Thursday, January 11 for the 2017-18 Spring Term FAES Graduate School Open House to meet and mingle with FAES faculty. Bring yourself, a friend, and your questions about registering for the Spring 2018 courses. The event will be held in the FAES Academic Center, Building 10, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 4:00 – 6:00 PM. Light refreshments will be served!

Merck, China’s WuXi AppTec to Launch Biotech Incubator in Israel – CTech

Shanghai-based pharmaceutical company WuXi AppTec Group is partnering with Merck Serono, a subsidiary of company Merck KGaA, to launch a pharma and biotech startup incubator in Israel in early 2018. Israel-born businessman Mori Arkin and life sciences-focused venture capital fund Pontifax Ltd. will also be part of the venture. The plans were declared last week in an event held by the partners in Tel Aviv.

Are phages our best bet against antibiotic-resistant bacteria? – ScienceBlog.com

Bacteriophages, or simply phages, are viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria, and they hold considerable potential for combatting antibiotic-resistance and other threats to human health. Timed with the hundredth anniversary of their discovery, a new review published in the British Journal of Pharmacology examines the challenges and opportunities of developing phages as health-promoting, commercially-viable biopharmaceuticals.

2017: The year telehealth and digital health hit their stride – MedCity News

2017 has undoubtedly been a standout year in the realms of telemedicine and digital health.

In telehealth alone, much has happened over the past 12 months.

Stop Being an “Initiative”: Highlights From NY Biotech—The Future Is Now – Xconomy

Vicki Sato, a longtime Boston biotech entrepreneur, laid out a challenge for New York life sciences in 2018. “Stop being an initiative,” she said. “Start being a player.”

State governments help spur investments in R&D – SSTI

Expenditures for R&D from state government agencies increased by 17.3 percent from FY 2011 to FY 2016, reaching $2.3 billion, according to data from the Survey of State Government Research and Development, a survey sponsored by the National Science Foundation’s National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES). Nearly two-thirds of this total – 64 percent – came from just five state governments (California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Ohio).

Dec 20 2017

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284th Edition – December 19, 2017

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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December 20, 2017

BHI Client Company MockV Solutions Announces Phase 1 SBIR Grant Award from the National Center for Advancing Translations Sciences

MockV Solutions, Inc. (MockV or the Company), a biotechnology company developing non-infectious viral clearance prediction products that address the unmet needs of process development scientists as they establish biopharmaceutical manufacturing platforms, announced today the receipt of a Phase I grant from the National Center for Advancing Translations Sciences under auspices of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program of the National Institutes of Health. The $250,000 grant under the Award Number R43TR002231 is focused on demonstrating the utility of a non-infectious Minute Virus of Mice-Virus Like Particle for predicting viral clearance during biopharmaceutical process development.

Emergent BioSolutions Awarded Department of National Defence Contract to Supply Anthrasil to the Canadian Government NYSE:EBS

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) today announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Department of National Defence (DND) valued at approximately $8 million to deliver Anthrasil® (Anthrax Immune Globulin Intravenous [human]) to the Canadian government. This contract award follows the recent approval of Anthrasil by Health Canada under the Extraordinary Use New Drug (EUND) Regulations, which provide a regulatory pathway for products for which collecting clinical information for its intended use in humans is logistically or ethically not possible. Anthrasil is indicated for the treatment of inhalational anthrax in adult and pediatric patients in combination with appropriate antibacterial drugs.

BHI Boost™ Seminars and 1:1 Office Hours – January 18th

Intellectual Property: What You Need to Know

Seminar and/or 1:1 Office Hours with experts from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Rockville Innovation Center

8 a.m.-9 a.m. – Networking Breakfast and Presentation (RSVP)

1:1 Office Hours (pre-registration required):

9:10-9:40 a.m.
9:45-10:15 a.m.
10:20-10:50 a.m.
10:55 – 11:25 a.m.
11:30 – 12:00 p.m.

Germantown Innovation Center

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. – Networking Lunch and Presentation (RSVP)

1:1 Office Hours (pre-registration required):

1:40 – 2:10 p.m.
2:15 – 2:45 p.m.
2:50 – 3:20 p.m.
3:25 – 3:55 p.m.

Governor Larry Hogan Announces 2018 Jobs and Economic Development Initiatives

Governor Larry Hogan today announced a series of new initiatives to spur job creation and economic growth in Maryland and further establish the state’s leadership in key STEM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) industries. The governor was joined by Commerce Secretary Mike Gill, Labor Secretary Kelly Schulz, University System of Maryland Chancellor Robert Caret, Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver, and numerous officials from the counties benefiting from the governor’s expanded jobs initiative.

Summer R.I.S.E. 2018 – WorkSource Montgomery

Are you interested in investing in Montgomery County’s future workforce? Sign up to be a career experience host for WorkSource Montgomery’s Summer RISE program at Summer-rise.com!

These 10 startups are heading to Annapolis for FounderTrac in 2018 – Technical.ly Baltimore

Fresh off receiving $125,000 in new funding from a TEDCO initiative to back more Maryland incubators, Annapolis-based FounderTrac named members of its 2018 cohort last week.

Martine Rothblatt on the next frontier for United Therapeutics: Pharmacogenomics – Washington Business Journal

Martine Rothblatt has already made a career out of chasing firsts — be it with creating Sirius satellite radio or more recently racing to make her Silver Spring biotech, United Therapeutics Corp., the first to manufacture an unlimited supply of human organs.

NEA leads a big syndicate on $100M mega-round for Allakos – ENDPOINTS NEWS

Five years after getting started with a $32 million Series A, the crew at Allakos in San Carlos, CA are getting a $100 million mega-round to put their lead drug to the test.

Mason scientists develop nanotechnology-based urine test that could lead to early TB detection | George Mason

Scientists at George Mason University have developed a nanotechnology that for the first time can measure a sugar molecule in urine that identifies tuberculosis with high sensitivity and specificity, setting the stage for a rapid, highly accurate and far less-invasive urine test of the disease that could potentially prove to be the difference between life and death in many underdeveloped parts of the world.

How Phage Therapy Is Saving Lives Against Superbugs – Time

On the evening of Nov. 7, Steffanie Strathdee sent out a cryptic tweet: “#Phage researchers! I am working with a team to get Burkholderia cepacia phages to treat a 25 y old woman with CF whose infection has failed all #antibiotics. We need lytic non-lysogenic phage URGENTLY to find suitable phage matches. Email if you can help!” The message was retweeted nearly 400 times.

gel-e receives US FDA clearance to expand its bandage product line for Rx and OTC use

gel-e Inc., a privately held, clinical-stage medical device company, announces the 510(k) clearance of its adhesive bandage by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) use.

This new bandage clearance expands the Company’s label to include the management of moderately to heavily exuding chronic wounds and acute wounds. Under medical supervision, this new adhesive bandage may be used for the management of pressure sores, diabetic ulcers, leg ulcers, donor sites and graft sites, surgical wounds, skin abrasions and lacerations, 1st and 2nd degree burns and traumatic wounds. No medical supervision is required for usage in the management of minor cuts, minor scalds and 1st degree burns, and minor abrasions and lacerations. This newly cleared bandage complements gel-e’s existing vascular closure device cleared for the “management of bleeding wounds such as vascular access sites and percutaneous catheters or tubes.”

IBBR awarded NIH grant to investigate body’s T-cell mechanism of attack | Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research

A new research initiative by the University of Maryland’s Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR) and the University of Pittsburgh could finally uncover how T-cells—the “killer cells” that defend the body from microbes—are alerted to hazardous invaders in the body. Funded by a $3.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the research will be the first to combine X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for a unique view of the cell’s alert system, which could lead to innovative therapeutics to fight viruses and tumors.

Emmes India Open News Office in Bengalaru

Congrats to our Emmes India colleagues on the opening of their new office in Bengalaru. This move is a result of their successful contributions to public health research in India and around the world. Best wishes on the new place!

Lupin’s Safyral generic Tydemy gets FDA nod – Drug Store News

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Mumbai-based Lupin’s Tydemy. The product is a generic version of Bayer’s Safyral (drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, and levomefolate calcium tablets, 3 mg/0.03 mg/0.451 mg and levomefolate calcium tablets, 0.451 mg).

Where tech fits into DC’s economic development conversation – Technical.ly DC

Tech firms leased more office space in D.C. over a recent 12-month period than the prior year, while coworking spaces signed on for fewer square feet.

Those trends come according to the latest DC Development Report, which was released by the Washington D.C. Economic Partnership at the organization’s annual meeting on Tuesday. WDCEP partners with commercial real estate services firm CBRE on the report, and the results come from a “development census” taken in August.

Here’s Where The Top Healthcare VC Firms Are Investing In Cancer Therapies

Immunotherapy draws the lion’s share of attention from top VCs, but startups focused on other types of cancer therapies, such as protein targeting, are also starting to gain recognition.

Biggest DC Tech Startup Venture Capital Funding of 2017

In the world of D.C. funding, it seems like not much has changed. In 2016, our list of the top 8 venture capital deals for D.C. startups fell between $20 million and $100 million. In 2017, that range for the top 15 falls between $20 million and $190 million, with big name investors swaying the top ranks.

MAJOR CAPITAL REGION EMPLOYERS REVEAL PRESSING NEED FOR TECH TALENT

How AI can help Life Sciences find a needle in the haystack | LinkedIn

Efficiency is all about making the optimal use of your resources. For Life Sciences organizations, efficiency is all about their sales forces reaching the right physician at the right time with the right message. Yet, the current tools are woefully inadequate.

The Top 10 Science Stories of 2017 – Scientific American

If you were overwhelmed by the news in 2017, you aren’t alone. Every day seemed to bring monumental developments in all spheres of current events, from international relations and gender inequality to health care and domestic energy policy. Science was at the forefront often, so we’ve catalogued the two most important developments in each of five topic areas based on our editor’s top picks and our most popular articles. If getting the daily news feels like drinking from a fire hose, this list can help you stay focused on the science developments that matter.

Andreessen Horowitz Launches $450M Second Bio Venture Capital Fund

Andreessen Horowitz, a Menlo Park, CA-based venture capital firm, has launched its $450m second bio fund.

Bio Fund II will focus on investing in companies at the intersection of biology and engineering.

Inside the government’s war on microbes

Humans and bacteria have been clashing for as long as both have inhabited the Earth, and for decades now, humans have had the upper hand. Starting with penicillin in 1942, antibiotics have brought previously untreatable maladies like tuberculosis under control and made surgery far safer.

Dec 12 2017

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283rd Edition – December 12, 2017

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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December 12, 2017

BioHealth Innovation Appoints Three New Board Members

Ashish K. Kulkami, PhD of Avantor, Anne S. Lindblad, PhD of The Emmes Corporation, and Kurt Newman, MD of Children’s National Health System, Join BHI’s Board

BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved the appointments of three new board members, Ashish K. Kulkarni, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Avantor, Anne S. Lindblad, PhD, President and CEO, The Emmes Corporation, and Kurt Newman, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Children’s National Health System.

“I am honored to welcome our new members to the board,” said Richard Bendis, BHI President and CEO. “Ashish, Anne, and Kurt bring years of biohealth experience and fresh perspectives to our board.”

Ashish K. Kulkarni, Ph.D., has been Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Avantor since 2016. Dr. Kulkarni has extensive experience serving as Chief Technology Officer for other large global companies. Prior to joining Avantor, Dr. Kulkarni acted as Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Celanese Corporation, from 2012 to 2016, and Vice President of Research and Development for the Advanced Engineering Materials and Emulsions business units, from 2010 to 2012. Dr. Kulkarni also previously acted as Vice President of Global Engineering, Building Systems and Services division of United Technologies Corporation, from 2007 to 2010. In addition, Dr. Kulkarni served in various leadership roles with American Standard. He started his career with General Electric Company on their Technical Leadership Program (TLP).

20/20 Gene Systems CEO Johnathan Cohen Interviewed on New Episode of BHI Podcast – BioTalk with Rich Bendis

Johnathan Cohen., Founder, and Chief Executive Officer, 20/20 GeneSystems Inc. joins Rich Bendis to discuss cancer diagnostics, crowdfunding, and where his company is headed. Under Mr. Cohen’s leadership, 20/20 GeneSystems has brought in approximately $7.5 million in grant funding and launched two successful products, a kit for suspicious powders used by hundreds of emergency responder organizations worldwide and a blood test for the early detection of lung cancer.

Listen now on iTunes , Google Play , and TuneIn.

UMBC spinout supported by BioHealth Innovation’s Ken Malone and Mihir Pershad among participants at recent ag pitch event – Technical.ly Baltimore

A pitch competition held in Annapolis last week had an eye toward innovation on the farm – whether the growing was on land or water.

For the first time, the Rural Maryland Council Summit included the AgPitch Competition. Westminster-based MidAtlantic Farm Credit was an organizer of the Dec. 1 event. The pitch competition featured five entrepreneurs.

GlaxoSmithKline’s Rockville chief lays out priorities for 2018 – Washington Business Journal

British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline PLC said it finally has a full team in place at its vaccine hub in Rockville and is ready to take on some of the region’s most well-known biotech competitors with part of its product lineup.

UMB startup Harpoon Medical acquired for $100 million – Maryland Daily Record

University of Maryland, Baltimore startup Harpoon Medical was acquired by Edwards Lifesciences for $100 million, Edwards announced Wednesday. The deal could rise to $150 million if Harpoon meets pre-specified milestones. Harpoon’s primary product is a device designed to facilitate beating-heart, minimally invasive, echo-guided mitral valve repair. Clinical trials have shown that the product leads to positive safety

BioHealth Innovation SBIR Application Review and Assistance

BioHealth Innovation is partnering with Johns Hopkins Tech Ventures to provide assistance to faculty innovators and entrepreneurs interested in applying for federal SBIR/STTR funding. Whether you are located at Johns Hopkins, another university off campus location, don’t miss the the opportunity to learn more information about this type of funding, sign up now for office hours at JHU Fast Forward, December 12th, 11-2pm, 1812 Ashland Ave, by appt: Book Time or contact BioHealth Innovation for more information.

UM Ventures launches new fund, entrepreneurship space in Lion Brothers building – Baltimore Business Journal

A new innovation space from the University of Maryland, Baltimore is opening inside the historic Lion Brothers building on Hollins Street.

About 6,200 square feet of the 38,000-square-foot building will be dedicated to offices, class/meeting rooms and coworking space geared toward supporting entrepreneurship and technology startups. The new space will be called the GRID, an acronym for Graduate Research Innovation District, and will be housed in the revamped former Lion Brothers Co. clothing and embroidery factory near the university’s BioPark campus.

New Research Links Umbilical Cord Blood to Motor Function Improvement in Children with Cerebral Palsy

The Emmes Corporation today announced its statistical and data management support of a clinical trial that offers new hope for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Stephen Wease and Dr. Beth Blackwell joined a team of prominent researchers from Duke University Medical Center to test whether umbilical cord blood would improve motor skills function in children suffering from the disorder.

Proteros biostructures GmbH : names BHI Board Member Dave Lemus as new executive board member

Proteros biostructures GmbH today announced that the Company’s Supervisory board had appointed Dave Lemus, previously a non-executive director at Proteros, as Executive Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Proteros Biostructures GmbH. Additionally, he will serve in the role of Non-Executive Board Chairman of Proteros USA, Inc., the Company’s newly formed subsidiary in the U.S.A., where he will be based.

TEDCO awards $800,000 in seed funding to six Maryland companies – Baltimore Business Journal

The Maryland Technology Development Corp. announced $800,000 in investments to six companies, including four in the Baltimore area.

State-backed TEDCO funnels hundreds of thousands of dollars into young, growing companies through its multiple investment funds and is backed by an annual budget of about $18.5 million. The organization’s seed fund portfolio continues to grow statewide.

Johns Hopkins Scientists Explain Rudolph, Grinch, Scrooge

A reindeer with a red glowing nose.

A heart, two sizes two small, that suddenly grows three sizes.

A trip to the past and to the future — all in one night.

Tissue Analytics expands from East Coast, establishes office in Kansas City – MedCity News

Wound monitoring technology startup Tissue Analytics has established an eight person office in Kansas City, Kansas following its hire of former Cerner staffer there who set up the office as part of his new role as vice president of sales, according to a story by the Kansas City Business Journal. It marks an expansion for the company which previously was based out of one office in Baltimore.

HeMemics Biotechnologies joins new Inova Health System precision medicine accelerator – Washington Business Journal

A Rockville-based research and development company working on a cheap and fast diagnostic test for infectious diseases will be the first tenant of Inova Health System’s new accelerator that officially opened Thursday.

Charlottesville startup gets $8.5 million via Tech/Carilion venture group, Russian company | Business | roanoke.com

TearSolutions, a Charlottesville-based biotechnology startup just received an $8.5 million shot in the arm, courtesy of the VTC Innovation Fund and Pharmstandard International, one of Russia’s largest pharmaceutical companies.

Member Spotlight: VLP Therapeutics – Maryland Tech Council VIBE

VLP Therapeutics was established in 2013 with the mission to develop innovative medical treatments which can transform traditional vaccines and targeted antibody therapies to address global unmet medical needs. Its vision is to combat 21st century global public health problems through its revolutionary next generation i-αVLP technology platform. VLP is currently developing vaccines to treat cancer and infectious diseases such as Malaria and Dengue Fever.

How Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research seeks to transform drug discovery for new therapeutics: Q&A with Jim Pannucci – BioBuzz

BioBuzz: What is ATOM and why should people know about it?

Jim: It is a public–private consortium designed to improve the oncology drug discovery process by bringing together the expertise and resources of the FNLCR, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), GSK, and the University of California–San Francisco (UCSF).

Budget uncertainty could cast pall on Maryland economy – fredericknewspost.com

Even though the federal government avoided a shutdown last week — at least temporarily — continued uncertainty in the nation’s budget process could hurt Maryland’s economy.

Congress agreed Thursday night to a spending bill that will keep the government funded and running through Dec. 22, but the short-term extension may not do much to ease concerns in a state where so many workers and jobs are tied to federal spending.

GSK’s new pharma head on lookout for cancer deals to boost pipeline

GlaxoSmithKline will scout for deal opportunities in cancer medicine, as well as immunology, as the drugmaker seeks to rebuild its presence in oncology, its new head of pharmaceuticals told Reuters.

New Study Sheds Light on Angel Investors in the US Economy – News – Harvard Business School

“The American Angel (pdf),” a new comprehensive national study released yesterday, provides a detailed picture of angel investors–who they are, where they live, and how they make investment decisions.

After 4-years of decline, universities report increased federal R&D funding for FY 2016 – SSTI

For the first time in five years, federal funding for higher education research and development increased in both current and constant dollars, according to recently released data from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics within the National Science Foundation. In FY 2016, universities reported $72.0 billion in total R&D expenditures, a 4.8 percent increase from FY 2015. Of this amount, more than half (54 percent) came from the federal government. Institutionally financed research represented 16 percent, the second largest source of R&D funds at universities in FY 2016.

Epidarex Capital Portfolio Company Harpoon Medical Acquired By Edwards Lifesciences | UM Ventures

Epidarex Capital (“Epidarex”), an early-stage, transatlantic life science venture fund, today announced that its portfolio company, Harpoon Medical, Inc. (“Harpoon”), a pioneer in beating-heart repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR), has been acquired by Edwards Lifesciences for up to $250 million. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Edwards paid $100 million in cash for Harpoon at closing on December 1, 2017 with a potential for up to an additional $150 million in pre-specified milestone-driven payments.

GSK, other drugmakers bet on post-Brexit UK science

The move is welcome news for Prime Minister Theresa May, who has struggled to win over large sections of industry as Britain prepares to leave the European Union.

This small accelerator program is funneling tech from federal labs into new startups

When the 13 teams that made up Fed Tech’s fall 2017 cohort took the stage for their first pitch night in September, it wasn’t entirely smooth sailing.

The entrepreneurs, some of whom had been introduced to their assigned technology just days earlier, struggled to pronounce long scientific words or, in some cases, explain what the technology is at all. The task wasn’t easy, but the entrepreneurs didn’t get a pass either. “You gotta tell me what you do,” the group of rowdy mentors lobbed at one team. “Tell me who cares.”

Steve Case’s new Rise of the Rest fund raises $150M, snags Amazon and Google chiefs – Washington Business Journal

Steve Case’s Rise of the Rest seed fund has raised $150 million from a cavalcade of high-profile investors.

Investors in the new fund, named after Case’s yearslong effort to draw more attention to nontraditional areas outside of Silicon Valley and New York, include Amazon chief and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, The Carlyle Group co-founder David Rubenstein, Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and members of the Koch, Pritzker and Walton families, according to a release.

What the CVS-Aetna Deal Means for the Delivery of U.S. Health Care

The landscape for the delivery of health care in the United States is changing, but the traditional care-delivery players are not the change agents. The recent announcement of CVS’s $69 billion deal to acquire Aetna brings an insurer together with a large network of primary care providers: CVS has built more than 1,100 Minute Clinic locations inside its pharmacy stores in 33 states and the District of Columbia.

Johnson & Johnson Innovation Announces Launch of JLABS @ Shanghai in Collaboration with Shanghai

Johnson & Johnson Innovation, today announced a collaboration with the Shanghai Municipal Government, Pudong New Area Government, and Shanghai Pharma Engine Company, Ltd. to launch a new Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS in Shanghai (JLABS @ Shanghai), China. The 4,400-square-meter facility will be located in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park and will open in Q2 2019.

Developing Successful Strategic Partnerships With Universities

For many companies, universities have become essential innovation partners. However, companies often struggle to establish and run university partnerships effectively.

Dec 05 2017

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282nd Edition – December 5, 2017

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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December 5, 2017

Children’s National Health System President and CEO Kurt Newman, M.D Interviewed on New Episode of BHI Podcast – BioTalk with Rich Bendis

Kurt Newman, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Children’s National Health System joins Rich Bendis to discuss quality of care, medical innovation, and the future of healthcare. Since 1984, Dr. Newman has gone from Surgical Fellow to President and CEO at Children’s. He has championed innovations in the health system for both physical and mental health.

Listen now on iTunes , Google Play , and TuneIn.

Immunomic Therapeutics’ Founder Appointed to Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board | Business Wire

Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc. (ITI), a privately held, Maryland-based biotechnology company is pleased to announce Immunomic’s founder and CEO, William Hearl, Ph.D., has been appointed by Governor Larry Hogan to the Maryland Department of Commerce Life Sciences Advisory Board (LSAB).

Avantor® Completes Acquisition of VWR

Avantor, Inc., a global supplier of ultra-high-purity materials for the life sciences and advanced technology industries, today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of VWR Corporation (NASDAQ: VWR), the leading global independent provider of product, supply chain, and service solutions to laboratory and production customers. VWR will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avantor. Michael Stubblefield, Chief Executive Officer of Avantor, will lead the combined company.

The Washington Business Journal Recognizes Emmes in Two ’Top Company’ Lists

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

Merck and Qiagen to expand in U.K.

U.S. drugmaker Merck & Co. and German diagnostics firm Qiagen are separately planning major investments in the U.K. The moves accompany a raft of British government measures intended to bolster the life sciences sector as the country prepares to leave the European Union.

Mimetas OrganoPlate®

Complex tissues. Surprisingly simple.

Enabling you to study complex 3D tissue biology in a simple device, that’s our goal. With perfused vessels, co-culture and optimized microenvironments. So easy to use that you forget you’re working with a highly advanced 3D culture platform. With the OrganoPlate®, we believe we’ve reached that goal. Say hello to the future of 3D tissue models.

PhaseBio Enters Worldwide License Agreement with MedImmune for a Reversal Agent for Ticagrelor | Markets Insider

PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for the treatment of orphan diseases, today announced that the Company has entered an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with MedImmune, the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, for PB2452 (formerly MEDI2452), a Phase 1-ready reversal agent for ticagrelor.

Lab space in Maryland

Are you seeking lab space in Maryland? Limited incubator and small (1,200-3,400 sq. ft.) lab space is available directly and through subleases in various locations from Montgomery County to Hagerstown, Frederick to Baltimore. For more information regarding this space, contact BHI@BioHealthInnovation.org.

Barbara Crews to be Named Chair of Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber – News – Johns Hopkins University Montgomery County Campus

Barbara Crews, assistant executive director for community relations at the Johns Hopkins University Montgomery County Campus, has been tapped to serve as chair of the board of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce.

Crews previously served the Chamber as a board member; vice chair for member recruitment and retention; and most recently as chair-elect. She has been involved with the Chamber since 2014.

DC Startup News: Tech Startup Funding, Investment in November

Johns Hopkins researchers crack key part of mystery surrounding proteins

What makes the body of a person or any other organism work can for the most part be summed up in a word: proteins.

These big molecules carry out almost all processes in living organisms, including moving other molecules from one place to another, replicating DNA, conveying genetic information from genes to cells, controlling immune response, driving metabolism and building muscle. Not all protein molecules are created equal, though, and some are better understood than others.

Roche launches HyperCap Target Enrichment Portfolio, a fully integrated and streamlined NGS sample

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today the launch of the HyperCap Target Enrichment Portfolio, a streamlined and fully integrated NGS sample preparation. HyperCap integrates KAPA DNA Library Prep with SeqCap EZ target enrichment portfolio, and is a further expansion of the HyperCap v1.0 workflow.

Wharton and Angel Capital Association Study Changes Perceptions About the Investors Behind U.S. Startup Economy

The American Angel, a new comprehensive national study released today, provides a detailed picture of angel investors, who they are, where they live, and how they make investment decisions. Key findings include:

Venture bets on startups yield more returns

When Venture Capitalists (VCs) invest in startups, they are aware of risks involved in returns- it might be either mind-boggling or they might end up taking a lot of losses. But VC hits are much talked about and at the same time, not all predictions come true. Some venture capital firms make successful exits and it shows the growth of the startup ecosystem.

Why is net neutrality important? – The Johns Hopkins News-Letter

The internet has become a crucial gateway for accessing information. Just look around Brody Café or wherever you’re reading this piece: People are writing papers, conducting research, reading articles, buying a new pair of shoes or watching TV, all through the internet. Whether it is education, business or entertainment, the internet has become a practical necessity for us to engage in society today. For our democracy and economy to function, it is paramount that people have equal access to the internet.

Doing Biotech in My Bedroom – MIT Technology Review

In a spare bedroom of his family’s house in County Cork, Ireland, Cathal Garvey is repeating the feats that led to the dawn of the biotechnology age. He’s growing bacteria. He’s adding DNA. He’s seeing what happens.

The 25 Best Graduate Programs for Entrepreneurship in 2017

The Princeton Review looked at more than 2,000 colleges and universities to find the best ones that will set entrepreneurs up for success.

Newest Halcyon Incubator Cohort Tackling Top Current Social Issues

Halcyon, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting early-stage social entrepreneurs, today announces its eighth cohort for the Halcyon Incubator program. With an acceptance rate of less than 3%, Halcyon is bringing social enterprises that focus on big ideas tackling some of the most current and prevalent societal issues today.

Final BioBuzz of 2017 with BHI – December 20th

When: Wednesday, December 20, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Where: Bar Louie 150 Gibbs St Rockville, MD 20850

Join BioBuzz and annual sponsor Biohealth Innovation, Inc. to celebrate the holiday season and last BioBuzz event of the year. The celebration will be at Bar Louie in the Rockville Town Center on December 20th, 2017 from 5 – 7pm. Only a 5 minute walk from the Rockville Metro, please join us for this exciting event.

HHS nominee Alex Azar talks drug pricing and ACA politics – MedCity News

As secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Alex Azar would oversee a trillion-dollar budget, over 90,000 employees, and a healthcare system that is ground-zero for heated bipartisan politics.

Medical firm launches $10M venture capital fund | 2017-11-28 | Grand Rapids Business Journal

A medical device developer has created a $10-million venture capital fund to support early stage health care companies.

Holland-based Genesis Innovation Group said today it established the privately funded cultivate(MD) Capital Fund I, LLC, which will focus on medical device and orthopedic technologies.

Cleveland Clinic Unveils Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2018 – Cleveland Clinic Innovations

An artificial pancreas to help diabetics. A pacemaker for sleep apnea. Gene therapy for blindness. These are some of the innovations that will enhance healing and change healthcare in the coming year, according to a distinguished panel of doctors and researchers.

Trump administration proposes ‘kidney innovation accelerator program’ | TheHill

Recent news surrounding the nation’s growing opioid epidemic has demonstrated how an all-hands-on-deck approach is needed when a serious national health crisis threatens the lives of Americans. The Trump administration declared opioid abuse a public health emergency, and lawmakers have enacted legislation to expand treatment and prevention programs, as well as prosecute individuals who commit opioid-related health care fraud.

Towson University’s new science building will create ‘completely different environment’ on campus – Baltimore Business Journal

Towson University officials are envisioning the college’s new $184 million science building as essentially the exact opposite of Smith Hall, the building that currently holds most of Towson’s science classes.

Inova Personalized Health Accelerator Accepts HeMemics Biotechnologies, Inc. into Portfolio

Inova Personalized Health Accelerator (IPHA) has selected HeMemics Biotechnologies, Inc. (HBI) as its first portfolio company. HBI is a research and development company located in Rockville, MD that develops rapid diagnostic test platforms to detect various bacterial and viral pathogens. The company’s technology detects, within 15 seconds, the absence or presence of a specific virus or bacterium when an aqueous sample is placed on an electronic chip. HeMemics invented and patented “HemSol™,” a method to preserve cells and biological entities for an extended period of time. The preservation method in conjunction with the low cost HeMemics prototype electronic chip and portable, battery-powered reading device are designed to be deployed for Point of Care (POC) diagnostics. Typically, pathogen detection involves laboratory analysis which delays inpatient treatment or requires a return visit for outpatients.

Nov 28 2017

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281st Edition – November 28, 2017

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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November 28, 2017

Tech Council of Maryland CEO Tami Howie Interviewed on New Episode of BHI Podcast – BioTalk with Rich Bendis

Tami Howie, Chief Executive Officer at The Maryland Tech Council, joins Rich Bendis for the third episode of the new podcast series. BioTalk with Rich Bendis features conversations with some of the most accomplished and exciting business, academic, and government leaders in the biohealth industry. Over the past 20 years, Tami has helped technology companies grow in the Mid-Atlantic region and nationwide from startup to public companies and beyond. Tami has been involved with the successful exits of over 150 companies and has represented technology companies, investors, SBICs and underwriters such as JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.

Listen now on iTunes, Google Play, and TuneIn.

Philips expands its Radiology Solutions portfolio with the acquisition of UMB’s Analytical Informatics, Inc.

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced that it has acquired US-based start-up company Analytical Informatics, Inc., complementing its own innovation initiatives to expand its current offerings and accelerate the roadmap for Philips Radiology Solutions. Analytical Informatics’ products and capabilities, which include vendor-agnostic, advanced workflow tools and applications, strengthen Philips’ PerformanceBridge portfolio of operational performance solutions to optimize assets, uptime, utilization, practice, compliance and staff at the imaging department and enterprise levels. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

emocha’s work on opioid treatment gets first private clinic partner – Technical.ly Baltimore

emocha is bringing its work on opioid addiction treatment into the clinic.

Dallas-based Pathway Healthcare recently signed on to use the mobile health startup’s platform. Pathway operates a network of clinics, becoming the first private partner to use the technology. It comes as officials have called for an all-hands-on-deck approach to address the opioid crisis. A treatment center in Jackson, Tennessee, was the first to begin using the platform, according to the startup.

Northrop Grumman, UMBC partner on cyber-focused mentorship program – Baltimore Business Journal

Northrop Grumman Corp. and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s cyber incubator are launching a new mentorship initiative to help growing cyber startups gain access to advanced technology resources.

Final BioBuzz of 2017 with BHI

When: December 20th, 2017 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Where: Bar Louie 150 Gibbs St. Rockville MD 20850

The hole in the middle of venture capital – The Washington Post

I regularly hear people complain that our region lacks venture capital. Last week I asked members of our entrepreneurial community about this perceived funding gap and what they thought we should do about it.

France Recognizes Contributions of UMD’s Colwell with Appointment to the Legion of Honor | UMD Right Now :: University of Maryland

Rita Colwell, a Distinguished University Professor in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS), has been awarded the rank of Chevalier (Knight) in the Legion of Honor by decree of the President of the French Republic. Colwell was presented the Insignia of Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur by Gérard Araud, Ambassador of France to the United States, in a ceremony on November 20 at the ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C.

Massachusetts leads US states in the new economy index, Maryland ranks 6th – The Next Silicon Valley

A study of the 50 US states provides an index to indicate which states are leading in the ‘new economy’, and which are falling behind. It also reveals clear patterns, proposing ‘winning’ policy formula for economic development.

The top five states in the index are Massachusetts, California, Washington, Virginia, and Delaware. The five lowest-scoring states, from 46th to 50th, are Louisiana, Wyoming, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

Lab space in Maryland

Science in the City, Thursday, November 30th – UM BioPark

When: Thursday, November 30 5:00 – 6:30 pm

Where: Life Sciences Conference Center 801 West Baltimore Street

Please join the BioPark’s Monthly Networking Event. Mingle with our honored guest, Alex Triantis, Dean of Robert H. Smith School of Business, Smith School faculty, students and alumni, BioPark tenants, and UMB faculty & staff.

Study of internal grant proposal review processes demonstrates major return on investment

The stakes for research grant applications are high in today’s competitive funding environment. Yet applications are often submitted to external funding agencies before they pass any kind of internal review process. A new study from Columbia University’s School of Nursing suggests that institutions benefit from helping researchers write better grants. Specifically, it found that pilot grant applications that underwent an internal review were twice as likely as nonreviewed applications to receive funding.

How Making A “Reverse” Bucket List Can Make You Happier

As someone who loves to travel, I have a pretty intense bucket list of places I want to go to, sights to see, and events to attend. Right now, I have about 10 different countries I want to visit, and I need to squeeze in a drawing class to better hone my artistic skills, too. I also want to challenge myself at work by pitching and writing for different publications, and there’s a handful of musicians I want to see perform live at least once in my lifetime. Oh, and did I mention that I someday want to try reading my poetry at an open mic night?

Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I (SBIR): December 4th Submission Deadline – National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program- also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF – provides small businesses with equity-free funding to conduct research and development (R&D) work. The funding is intended to allow recipients to bring innovative new products and services to market that drive the commercial success of the small business. The NSF SBIR program seeks innovative proposals that show promise of commercial and societal impact in almost all areas of science and technology.

CONNECTpreneur Forum, Dec 13 Blockchain & More! Tickets, Wed, Dec 13, 2017 at 7:00 AM – Eventbrite

DATE AND TIME: Wed, December 13, 2017 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST

LOCATION: Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park 3111 Fairview Park Drive Falls Church, VA 22042

Our CONNECTpreneur Baltimore Forum on November 16 was another sell-out. We had 380 business leaders, 8 awesome presenting companies, and epic speakers! Guests enjoyed a morning of insight, conversation and connections!

Nov 21 2017

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280th Edition – November 21, 2017

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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November 21, 2017

The Johns Hopkins University and Deerfield Announce Collaboration to Catalyze Early Stage Therapeutic Research – JHTV

The Johns Hopkins University and Deerfield Management announced today the creation of Bluefield Innovations, a collaboration designed to catalyze the development of early stage therapeutics. Funded by Deerfield, an investment management firm committed to advancing health care, Bluefield Innovations will provide up to $65 million in initial funding over five years to support the commercialization of early stage therapeutic research at Johns Hopkins, with additional funding available to advance research that shows strong commercial potential.

Signature Event: Evolution of Success II – Harnessing Your Power – Healthcare Businesswomens Association Event

Date and time: Tuesday, 21 November 5:00PM – 8:00PM EST

Location: MedImmune 1 Medimmune Way Gaithersburg, MD 20878 United States

HBA Mid-Atlantic presents a panel of successful diverse women from the public and private healthcare sectors to share their experiences on harnessing one’s power.

Primary Competency: 8. Builds relationships and teams
Secondary Competency: 12. Continues to learn, grow and transform

Emergent BioSolutions: More Than An Emerging Biotech – Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) – Seeking Alpha

Bioterrorism threats and infectious disease outbreaks are on the rise. Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (EBS) has a stream of revenues from FDA-approved drugs, as well as a full pipeline of drugs under development, to combat these health threats.

QIAGEN Advances Precision Medicine by Automating Guidelines on Cancer Variants in Industry-leading QIAGEN Clinical Insight Software | news.sys-con.com

QIAGEN N.V. (NASDAQ: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today launched enhancements in its QIAGEN Clinical Insight (QCI) bioinformatics software automating the AMP/ASCO/CAP Standards and Guidelines for the Interpretation and Reporting of Sequence Variants in Cancer, advancing precision medicine with the first solution to offer molecular pathologists critical information needed to guide oncologists’ treatment decisions.

40 Under 40: David Narrow, Sonavex Inc. – Baltimore Business Journal

David Narrow said the life of an entrepreneur is fast-paced and at times very stressful, but he has never loved any job more.

His medical technology firm, Sonavex, recently raised $3 million and took up new office space in Canton. The company is currently working on commercializing its product, which uses ultrasound technology to detect potentially harmful, post-surgical blood clots.

Final BioBuzz of 2017 with BHI

When: December 20th, 2017 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Where: Bar Louie 150 Gibbs St. Rockville MD 20850

Medimmune asthma drug gets endorsement from European committee – Delaware Business Now

AstraZeneca and its Maryland-based biologics research and development arm, MedImmune, announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency has adopted a positive opinion, recommending benralizumab as an add-on maintenance treatment in adult patients with a type of severe asthma.

USM Chancellor Caret Elected Chair of Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Board of Directors – USM

University System of Maryland (USM) Chancellor Robert L. Caret was elected chair today of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Board of Directors. He succeeds University of Virginia President Teresa A. Sullivan.

Indian-headed startups make a mark in US amid concerns over H-1B visa, BHI CEO Rich Bendis Quoted – Gadgets Now

That Indians are not only heading global IT giants like Google and Microsoft but also a number of startups in diverse sectors, including biotechnology, across the US is evident from the fact that of the 52 companies operating out of the two innovation hubs in Rockville and Germantown in Maryland 11 are either headed or run by Indians.

From mobile technology platform connecting doctors and patients to pre-market cybersecurity for IoT (Internet of Things) devices, Indian Americans are the driving force behind several firms at the two innovation hubs managed by BioHealth Innovation, Inc, a non-profit public-private partnership, which aids early stage biotechnology companies from research to commercialization.

The Inova Personalized Health Accelerator is ready to launch – Technical.ly DC

The Inova Health System will formally open its doors to new ideas by launching its personalized health accelerator on Nov. 30.

The event begins at 6:15 p.m. and will be held at the Inova Center for Personalized Health at 3225 Gallows Rd. in Fairfax. It includes a ribbon cutting, networking, keynote speeches and a tour of the facility.

Johns Hopkins team takes first place in Pfizer business case competition | Hub

A team of five Johns Hopkins University students won first place and $5,000 at the fifth annual Pfizer Case Competition at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School earlier this month.

NIIMBL Informational Session – THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR INNOVATION IN MANUFACTURING BIOPHARMACEUTICALS

LOCATION: Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), 9600 Gudelsky Dr., Rockville, MD 20850

TIME: Thursday, November 30, 2017 – 3:00pm to 5:00pm

NIIMBL was formed to leverage a $70 million cost-shared agreement sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) into a $270 million public-private partnership to promote innovative technologies in bio-manufacturing in America. This information session will provide an overview of NIIMBL and explain how your organization can get involved!

15 Johns Hopkins scientists among world’s most highly cited researchers – Hub

Fifteen Johns Hopkins scientists are among 3,000 individuals included on the annual Highly Cited Researchers list compiled by Clarivate Analytics, which was previously part of Thomson Reuters.

NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices for The Week Ending 09-08-2017

Funding and Research Opportunities

The following funding opportunity announcements from the NHLBI or other components of the National Institutes of Health, might be of interest:

FASENRA (benralizumab) Receives US FDA Approval For Severe Eosinophilic Asthma – Seeking Alpha

FDA approval based on Phase III program demonstrating up to 51% reduction in asthma exacerbations, significant improvement in lung function and a 75% reduction in daily oral steroid use

Former Eli Lilly USA president in line to be next HHS Secretary (Updated) – MedCity News

It just wouldn’t feel like a Friday without some Trump cabinet intrigue so with that in mind, Alex Azar, the former president of Lilly’s U.S. business, has been tipped to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services, according to Bloomberg. If he’s approved, Azar would succeed Tom Price, who resigned from the post amidst fallout over the cost of his extensive use of government travel via military and private jets.

Inova Health System’s venture capital arm makes its first investments – Washington Business Journal

Inova Health System’s venture capital arm has been busy over the last year.

Since starting Inova Strategic Investments, Inova has closed three new direct company investments and two fund investments.

What if You Knew Alzheimer’s Was Coming for You? – The New York Times

Six years ago, at age 49, Julie Gregory paid an online service to sequence her genes, hoping to turn up clues about her poor circulation, blood-sugar swings and general ill health. Instead she learned she had a time bomb hidden in her DNA: two copies of a gene variant, ApoE4, that is strongly linked to Alzheimer’s. Most Americans with this genotype go on to develop late-onset dementia.

Older Americans Were Sicker And Faced More Financial Barriers To Health Care Than Counterparts In Other Countries | Health Affairs

High-income countries are grappling with the challenge of caring for aging populations, many of whose members have chronic illnesses and declining capacity to manage activities of daily living. The 2017 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults in eleven countries showed that US seniors were sicker than their counterparts in other countries and, despite universal coverage under Medicare, faced more financial barriers to health care.

AP Exclusive: US scientists try 1st gene editing in the body

Scientists for the first time have tried editing a gene inside the body in a bold attempt to permanently change a person’s DNA to cure a disease.

First Digital Pill Approved to Worries About Biomedical ‘Big Brother’ – The New York Times

For the first time, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a digital pill — a medication embedded with a sensor that can tell doctors whether, and when, patients take their medicine.

2017 Holiday Bio/Pharma/Healthcare Pitch Forum sponsored by SoPE and CAAG – Wed, Dec 13, 2017 at 5:00 PM

The Society of Physician Entrepreneurs and the MBA Collaborative Alumni Angel Group, in conjunction with NIH, cordially invite you to join us for our next meeting:

December 13, 5:00 – 8:30 PM, at: Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology Research, 9600 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD,

This program will be focused on start-up and emerging biotech, pharmaceutical, and healthcare companies. Referrals are coming from NIH officials and consultants as well as SoPE/CAAG members and affiliates as well as direct applications to SoPE or CAAG.

WIB-Capital Region 2017 Holiday Party! – December 5, 2017

When: Tuesday, December 5, 2017 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. EST

Where: All Set Restaurant & Bar 8630 Fenton St. Silver Spring, MD 20910

It’s that time of the year again! Please join Capital Region chapter of Women In Bio as we celebrate the conclusion of an amazing 2017 at All Set Restaurant & Bar in Silver Spring, MD. Come mix & mingle with friends old and new over drinks and hors d’oeuvres, learn about the opportunities and resources that you have access to as WIB members, and participate in our raffle to win exciting prices!

The Inovation Launch Event – November 30 – Inova Personalized Health Accelerator

Date: Thursday, November 30, 2017

Location: Inova Center for Personalized Health3225 Gallows Road, Fairfax, VA 22031

Technology innovation continues to accelerate at an exponential rate, constantly outpacing the status quo and redefining limitations. Personal healthcare stands to benefit from these newfound opportunities.

Nov 14 2017

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279th Edition – November 14, 2017

By admin BHI Weekly Newsletter Archives

BioHealth Innovation

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November 14, 2017

Emergent BioSolutions President & CEO Daniel J. Abdun-Nabi Interviewed on New Episode of BHI Podcast – BioTalk with Rich Bendis

Daniel J. Abdun-Nabi, President and Chief Executive Officer at Emergent BioSolutions Inc., joins BioTalk host Rich Bendis, to discuss his background, where Emergent is headed, the vaccines and BioHealth industries, and his views on BioHealth Capital Region.

This new podcast series features conversations with some of the most accomplished and exciting business, academic, and government leaders in the biohealth industry. Learn from these leaders about issues which can help you grow your business. What are the current trends? Where are industry sectors headed? How do we increase access to capital in our region? Rich and his guests dive deep into these topics and much more.

Listen now on iTunes, Google Play, and TuneIn.

A Breakthrough Initiative Has Been Announced to Manufacture Human Organs

United Therapeutics is set to take a big step forward in its plans to pursue advances in the field of organ transplantation thanks to a new partnership with the University of Maryland. The company has announced a $24 million research partnership that will help the school establish a center specializing in cardiac xenotransplantation research, the first of its kind in the US.

University of Maryland’s Discovery District to Host 2018 AURP International Conference

The Association of University Research Parks (AURP) announces the University of Maryland’s Discovery District as the host for the AURP annual International Conference, to be held in College Park, Md., October 22- 26, 2018.

University of Maryland Dedicates A. James Clark Hall, Transforming Region’s Biotech Corridor – University of Maryland

The University of Maryland dedicates the new A. James Clark Hall today, a 184,000-square-foot facility that will catalyze engineering innovation and bioengineering breakthroughs and serve as a hub for new partnerships and collaborations throughout the Baltimore-Washington region. A. James Clark Hall is the only space in the nation dedicated to bioengineering and the translation of health-related products that incorporates FDA-funded Centers of Excellence in both Regulatory Science and Pediatric Device Innovation.

Johns Hopkins serves up impact incubator – Global University Venturing

Johns Hopkins University has unveiled the 2017-2018 cohort of 10 mainly US-based startups to take part in its Social Innovation Lab incubator for non-profit businesses.

University of Maryland Receives Top Prize at APLU Innovation & Economic Prosperity University Awards | UMD Right Now :: University of Maryland

The University of Maryland was honored for its contributions to the economic development of the community at the 2017 Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) University Awards by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). As winner of the Economic Engagement Connections Award, IEP’s top prize, and the Place Award. UMD is the first two-time winner of the Connections Award, and the first institution to garner both a category award and the Connections Award in the same year. The award winners were announced at the the 2017 APLU Annual Meeting on Nov. 12, 2017.

Why UMB and Hopkins came together to grow entrepreneurship in Maryland – Baltimore Business Journal

University of Maryland, Baltimore and Johns Hopkins University could safely be classified as “friendly competitors.” Operating in the same city, the two institutions “compete” for the funding and recognition as major research forces in the state. Both are affiliated with large medical systems, anchored by two of the highest-earning hospitals in the state.

New Managing Director at Bethesda Green’s Incubator Brings Investor Lens

Tina Arreaza joins Bethesda Green as the Be Green Hub Managing Director. Bethesda Green’s mission is to accelerate the sustainable economy locally with a focus on innovation, impact and community. Be Green Hub is Bethesda Green’s sustainability-focused incubator program: https://bethesdagreen.net/be-green-hub

How Maryland computer scientists are bringing the past to life – Big Ten Network

It is hard for most us to imagine what life in the shadow of the Berlin Wall was like for citizens of Soviet-controlled East Berlin and NATO-aligned West Berlin. It divided not just a city, but families, communities, and, indeed, a whole nation. Although the wall completely encircled the democratic and free city of West Berlin, for the unlucky citizens of East Berlin it was a prison – complete with guard towers, anti-vehicle trenches and fakir beds lining its notorious “death strip.”

M-1 Ventures Demo Day – Wednesday, December 13th

M-1 Ventures Demo Day is an event for partners, investors, industry leaders and the press to learn about market-changing technologies and solutions from each of the graduating M-1 startups and get a preview of where each company is headed next.

FounderTrac Information Session at TEDCO

Wednesday November 15, 2017 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

TEDCO IPO Conference Room 7021 Columbia Gateway Suite 200 Columbia, MD 21046

Does your Startup need Funding & Mentorship?

Launch your startup with the FounderTrac Startup Accelerator, a partnership between the MTC, LAUNCH! Annapolis, MCVC Partners and TEDCO.

You can raise capital, learn from a proven curriculum and receive hands-on mentoring from successful entrepreneurs and top executives to scale your company.

FDA – piloting a path for digital innovation – Healthcare Global

Earlier this year the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) heralded the forthcoming launch of its pre-certification pilot program for new digital health software which it hopes will help revolutionise the regulation of digital healthcare solutions in the US and allow innovations to safely reach the global market in a timely way, to the benefit of end users.

Top 25 Biotech Companies of 2017 | The Lists – GEN

A wave of disappointing third-quarter results and clinical trial failures by the largest biotechs in late October 2017 signaled to some the start of another market swoon, akin to the one that dented share prices starting in late 2015 through 2016.

Bill Gates makes $100 million personal investment to fight Alzheimer’s

Billionaire Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is to invest $50 million in the Dementia Discovery Fund, a venture capital fund that brings together industry and government to seek treatments for the brain-wasting disease.

Partners HealthCare raises $171M for second innovation fund for healthcare startups (Updated) – MedCity News

Partners HealthCare System has raised has raised $171 million for a second innovation fund targeting seed stage investments in life science startups, according to a news release. The Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital each committed $50 million for the fund.

National Science Board – News – NSF’s Merit Review Report is now available

Every year, nearly 50,000 research proposals are submitted to the only federal agency in the United States that funds discovery research in all fields of science and engineering: the National Science Foundation (NSF). The agency uses merit review to pick proposals that show the greatest potential to fulfill NSF’s mission to promote the progress of science and serve the national interest.

Ethical principles for the use of human cellular biotechnologies | Nature Biotechnology

Recent developments in bioengineering promise the possibility of new diagnostic and treatment strategies, novel industrial processes, and innovative approaches to thorny problems in fields such as nutrition, agriculture, and biomanufacturing. As modern genetics has matured and developed technologies of increasing power, debates over risk assessments and proper applications of the technology, and over who should have decision-making power over such issues, have become more prominent. Recently, some scientists have advocated that ethicists “step out of the way,” whereas others have called for greater ethical scrutiny, or even for moratoria on some lines of research.

Texas Medical Center Announces $25 Million TMC Venture Fund – TMC News

The Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, today announced the TMC Venture Fund, a $25 million initiative designed to support technologies and early-stage companies to flourish in Houston’s health care ecosystem and further the TMC’s mission to advance health, education and research.

Listening Is a Lost Art in Medicine. Here’s How to Rediscover It

William Osler, often called the father of modern medicine, famously advised his students: “Just listen to your patient; he is telling you the diagnosis.” A century later, clinicians and health system leaders started tuning out the patient’s voice, turning instead to electronic health records and the latest care protocols to manage their most complicated and high-need patients. We believe it’s time for an urgent and strategic reset. The factors that lead people to become our nation’s costliest are complex. But they call for, at the start, the simplest intervention: listening.

Innovating at the speed of the 21st century in pharmaceuticals | McKinsey & Company

Eli Lilly and Company is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company that aspires to make a significant contribution to humanity by improving global health in the 21st century. In this article, part of our Biopharma Frontiers series on how the pharmaceutical industry is evolving and how leaders can adapt, David A. Ricks, the chairman and CEO of Eli Lilly, discusses the opportunities and rewards for innovation and the implications for industry business models. This article is an edited summary of his conversation with McKinsey.

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