Roger Jeffs hopes that someday all medicines will be classified as orphan drugs. Allow the president and COO of United Therapeutics (Nasdaq: UTHR) to explain. He wants the pharmaceutical world to get to a place where every drug is so specifically targeted that it would apply to only a few people worldwid
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Cangene Corporation for $222 million in cash. After payment by Cangene of transaction related costs, Emergent expects to receive approximately $40 million of cash from Cangene in connection with closing. The completion of the acquisition follows the successful conclusion of all closing conditions, including approval by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and a positive vote by Cangene shareholders at a special shareholder meeting held on February 12, 2014. The transaction is consistent with Emergent’s growth plan in that it diversifies the company’s revenue mix, adds commercial product sales and contributes to earnings growth.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) invites small businesses to submit Phase I research applications under this Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO). Firms with strong research capabilities in any of the areas listed in Section 9 of the Full Announcement/FFO document are encouraged to participate. Applications not addressing one of the Subtopics in Section 9 are not responsive to this FFO. NIST offers two types of Subtopics in Section 9 of this FFO: standard research “R” and tech transfer “TT” Subtopics. Both “R” and “TT” subtopics are intended to cultivate private sector innovation and foster and encourage participation by minority and disadvantaged persons in technological innovation.
Keeping your computer safe is always a top priority for students, government officials and nine-to-fivers paranoid about losing their tech investment, or worse – face a security breach. Thanks to a new product from University of Maryland-based CoolCAD Electronics LLC, though, you may not have to worry about your computer’s well-being any more.
The startup from College Park just launched a 30-day Kickstarter campaign for its new GateKeeper Chain security product, a trendy-looking little key fob that automatically locks your computer when you leave. Then, once you return, it unlocks.
Faculty researchers from the University of Maryland, Baltimore and Johns Hopkins University were recognized for their groundbreaking research and its impact on human health with 2014 BioMaryland LIFE (Leading Innovative Faculty Entrepreneurs) awards. Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Secretary Dominick Murray and BioMaryland Center Executive Director Dr. Judy Britz presented the awards to Dr. Jonathan Powell of the Johns Hopkins University Kimmel Cancer Center to further develop a new therapeutic agent for diabetes type II; and to Dr. Eduardo Davila of the University of Maryland, Baltimore for his T-cell based universal immunotherapy platform to fight cancer. First awarded in 2010, the LIFE prizes are two $50,000 grants funded by the BioMaryland Center along with the two universities to help advance research in biotech and biopharma, medical devices, or diagnostics that have the greatest potential for commercial application.
Southern Maryland’s economic potential lies in the region’s higher education institutions producing highly technical and skilled workers, according to area leaders.
Military officials, educators, business leaders and others discussed Southern Maryland’s potential economic growth Monday during a forum at the Prince Frederick campus of the College of Southern Maryland.
It’s a bit surreal to go to a science fair at a hospital. But the group of health IT companies from DreamIt Venture’s accelerator coupled with demonstrations of technology from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania helped set the scene for a new initiative by DreamIt that’s starting at CHOP. The program is designed to help companies and institutions develop enterprise software and commercially viable companies.
DreamIt Ventures’ Open Canvas@CHOP is a one-year program at the pediatric hospital to help it further develop its reputation for pediatric innovation but in enterprise software. The program will also see two teams from the institution take part in DreamIt Health’s next accelerator class in Philadelphia this summer.
An entrepreneurial culture is alive and well in the nation’s capital, bolstered by a wave of successful startups of various shapes and sizes that are creating jobs and improving the world. In pursuing continued economic growth that is not dependent upon federal funds, the D.C. community must focus on encouraging and supporting more entrepreneurs. One clear path to accelerating the evolution of a startup culture, highlighted by the University of Maryland’s recent recognition as the top public university for technology entrepreneurship in the 2013 StartEngine College Index, is through our local institutions of higher education. Their curricula, access to space and technology, and vast alumni networks make universities the perfect home for entrepreneurship, and their efforts to create a new generation of entrepreneurs need our community’s support.
Illumina Inc. is launching what it bills as the world’s first genomics incubator, saying it has teamed up with technology billionaire Yuri Milner and Silicon Valley Bank to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in startups.
The San Diego maker of genome sequencing equipment said that it plans to offer aspiring genomics businesses both funding and access to lab equipment. Work would take place in the San Francisco Bay Area.
These top venture capitalists don’t wait for biotech startups to come to them. They create companies themselves.
The path to greatness in biotechnology runs through a vale of tears. Mark Levin wants to remember that.
