News Archive

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Theriva™ Biologics, Inc. (NYSE American: TOVX), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Rare Pediatric Drug Designation (RPDD) for VCN-01 for the treatment of retinoblastoma. VCN-01, Theriva’s lead product candidate, is a systemic, selective, stroma-degrading oncolytic adenovirus. Previously, the FDA granted orphan drug designation to VCN-01 for treatment of retinoblastoma.

HONG KONG, GERMANTOWN, Md. and SUZHOU, China, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Sirnaomics Ltd. (the “Company“, Stock Code: 2257.HK, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group” or “Sirnaomics“), a leading biopharmaceutical company engaging in discovery and development of advanced RNAi therapeutics, today announced a partnership with Gore Range Capital LLC (“Gore Range Capital“) (Dallas, TX, USA) for establishment of a joint venture, Sagesse Bio, Inc., to advance its novel RNAi therapeutic products into aesthetic medicine.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BullFrog AI Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BFRG; BFRGW) (“BullFrog AI” or the “Company”), a leader in AI-driven drug discovery, announced significant advancements in its ongoing collaboration with the Lieber Institute for Brain Development (LIBD). Building on the progress detailed in our May 16, 2024 release, our research has now pinpointed specific molecular pathways associated with bipolar disorder (BD), enabling the identification of new candidate drug targets.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Georgiamune Inc., a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company, announced that the first patient has been dosed with GIM-531 in a first-in-human, phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of advanced cancer patients. GIM-531 development focuses on indications that are currently not addressed with existing or available immunotherapies including anti-PD-1 antibodies. It is an oral therapy that is a first-in-class selective T regulatory cell inhibitor.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) announced the sale of RSDL^® (Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion) kit to SERB Pharmaceuticals, a global pharmaceutical company, for a purchase price of approximately $75 million. In addition, SERB will pay Emergent a $5 million payment upon achievement of a milestone related to the sourcing of a certain component of RSDL^®. The transaction has signed and closed simultaneously. 

In addition, SERB will acquire and maintain operations of Emergent’s leased manufacturing facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and several site-based employees who support RSDL^® will join SERB. SERB will also acquire the RSDL^® product inventory as part of the transaction and will assume certain related contracts. Emergent’s Winnipeg facility will continue to manufacture and supply bulk lotion to SERB under a long-term supply agreement between the two companies.

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 30, 2024—The Montgomery County Council voted today to approve the Planning Board Draft of the Great Seneca Plan: Connecting Life and Science with revisions. The plan covers 4,330 acres located in the heart of the I-270 Corridor between the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville and the town of Washington Grove. The Plan makes recommendations to strengthen the economic competitiveness of the Life Sciences Center, guide future developments, and transform public spaces and amenities in the area to provide valuable links and social spaces. 

“The Great Seneca Science Corridor is one of Montgomery County’s most important strategic areas, as the heart of our globally recognized biohealth industry with world-class research, education, and health care facilities,” said Council President Andrew Friedson who also chairs the Planning, Housing and Parks (PHP) Committee. “This plan builds on that strength by creating a more sustainable and vibrant community with greater connectivity to improve quality of life and economic competitiveness.”

By Dan Brendel – Staff Reporter, Washington Business Journal -Jul 29, 2024 – Montgomery County and Metro have announced a formal partnership and preliminary developer solicitation to pave the way for up to 3.7 million square feet of life science-focused mixed-used development in North Bethesda, the economic development apple of Montgomery County’s eye.

The county and transit authority signed a memorandum of understanding and announced a request for qualifications on Monday, beginning the hunt for a development partner to build a University of Maryland-anchored project, integrated with a new North Bethesda Metro station entrance, on 14 noncontiguous acres of vacant Metro-owned land at the southeast corner of Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road.

COLUMBIA, Md., (July 29, 2024) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced a recent $100,000 Pre-Seed Builder Fund investment in Azadi Health. TEDCO’s Pre-Seed Builder Fund is housed under TEDCO’s Social Impact Funds which were created to engage and invest in economically underserved founders and communities.

BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) proudly recognizes the $500,000 investment from TEDCO in Solaxa Inc., a Bethesda-based biopharmaceutical company. Led by Founder & CEO Christian Walker, Solaxa is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of aminopyridine drugs that both detect and treat ion channel dysfunction. Previous research has shown that aminopyridines can improve nerve signaling and muscle function in patients with Multiple Sclerosis, and Solaxa is presently researching additional benefits in patients with other nerve disorders. Solaxa is organized as a for-profit public benefit corporation, with a mission to advance scientific knowledge and deliver impactful and accessible therapies that improve outcomes for patients worldwide.   

Prior to this investment from TEDCO, Solaxa was recognized as the “Best of Montgomery” finalist at the 7^th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Crab Trap Pitch Competition in September 2023. Even more recently, Solaxa was recognized as “Venture of the Year” by the Maryland Tech Council in May 2024.