News

The Annual BioHealth Capital Region Investment Conference is the premier destination for discovering emerging companies that are redefining what’s possible in life sciences.

Taking place on Thursday, September 25, the final day of BioHealth Capital Region Week 2025, the conference brings together startups, growth-stage companies, VCs, strategics, and innovation scouts for a dynamic day of curated pitches, one-on-one meetings, and strategic networking — all hosted at US Pharmacopeia in Rockville, Maryland.

For Investors:

This is where you’ll find what’s next. The conference showcases a vetted lineup of companies spanning therapeutics, diagnostics, digital health, AI-powered solutions, and other transformative technologies. You’ll hear live pitch presentations and quick-pitches on the main stage from top applicants,  including standout participants from the previous day’s Crab Trap Competition.

Investors will schedule targeted meetings with presenting companies and engage with the region’s leading commercialization partners, accelerators, and research institutions. Whether you’re looking to make your next investment or build your pipeline, this is one of the best opportunities of the year to do it.

Investor registration is open now:
https://bit.ly/BHCRIC2025

For Startups and Entrepreneurs:

The Investment Conference is designed for companies ready to raise capital or build relationships with the investors who matter most in the BioHealth space. Whether you’re seeking Seed, Series A, or strategic partnerships, this event puts you directly in front of potential funders and collaborators.

ROCKVILLE, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Maryland Tech Council (MTC), the largest technology and life sciences trade association in the state, today announced the launch of the Rural Technology Network, a new initiative to accelerate growth in rural Maryland’s technology ecosystem.

The Rural Technology Network will strengthen economic growth in rural Maryland through strategic business development and by offering companies enhanced access to networking, cost savings, education, mentorship and other resources. It also seeks to foster partnerships between the private sector, educational institutions, and local governments to enhance commercialization and grow the pipeline of local businesses and talent.

BETHESDA, Md., June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gain Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GANX) (“Gain”, or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leading the discovery and development of the next generation of allosteric small molecule therapies, today provided an update on the progress of its ongoing Phase 1b clinical study evaluating the safety and tolerability of GT-02287 in people with Parkinson’s Disease with or without a GBA1 mutation. The study, which aimed to enroll 15-20 participants, reached 16 participants on June 30th, 2025.

Thanks to a major investment from GO Virginia, Northern Virginia’s first Innovation District is taking shape, laying the groundwork for growth in high-tech industry sectors like life sciences, aerospace, defense, and semiconductors.   

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced last week that the commonwealth will invest $2.6 million into Northern Virginia’s first Innovation District, with an additional $1.3 million coming from local businesses, government, and higher education partners. The funding will help launch the Innovation District and roll out programs aimed at making Northern Virginia a national hub for research-driven industries, while giving residents the chance to pursue strong, lasting careers without leaving their communities.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. (NYSE: MD), a leading provider of physician services, today announced that its board of directors has appointed Kurt D. Newman, M.D., former President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. and Professor Emeritus of Surgery and Pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, as an independent director, effective July 1, 2025.

Dr. Newman, a surgeon and nationally recognized leader in pediatric healthcare and a long-term healthcare executive, served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s National Hospital for 12 years, after spending over 25 years there as a pediatric surgeon. Dr. Newman fostered a culture of patient-centered care and championed a culture of innovation in research, operations and clinical care. Dr. Newman is a strong advocate for expanding mental health access for children and has led two national forums on this issue. He is the author of a best-selling book, “Healing Children: a Surgeon’s Stories from the Frontiers of Pediatric Medicine.” Dr. Newman was recognized as “CEO of the Year” by the Washington Business Journal in 2021 and inducted into the Washington Business Hall of Fame in 2023.

In a new video feature, BioHealth Innovation’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Kwame Ulmer offers a candid and experienced take on the evolving FDA landscape and its impact on medical device innovation.

As Managing Partner at MedTech Impact Partners, Kwame brings more than two decades of regulatory expertise to the table. His experience includes twelve years in leadership roles at the FDA, culminating as Deputy Director and Branch Chief, where he personally evaluated over 1,000 medical technologies. Today, he advises startups on regulatory strategy, supports complex submissions including de novo, PMA, and 510(k), and helps medtech founders navigate an increasingly uncertain regulatory environment.

UVA Health has received two anonymous $25 million estate gifts to support the University of Virginia’s Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. The $50 million of additional support for the institute enabled UVA Health to top its $1 billion fundraising goal in UVA’s Honor the Future campaign, which concludes this month. 

“I’m deeply grateful for the generosity and vision of these donors, whose contributions will help us to realize the full potential of the Manning Institute, and for everyone who has helped UVA Health reach this milestone,” said UVA President Jim Ryan. “These extraordinary gifts will support the Manning Institute’s research and aid in developing new treatments for hard-to-treat or incurable diseases, which will change lives across the Commonwealth and beyond.”

ROCKVILLE, Md. & EDMONTON, Alberta–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AUPH) today announced positive results from a Phase 1 single-ascending-dose (SAD) study of aritinercept (AUR200), its dual inhibitor of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL). The study investigated aritinercept doses of 5 mg, 25 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg, 225 mg and 300 mg and placebo, administered by subcutaneous injection, in 61 healthy subjects.

Applications are now open for the 9th Annual Crab Trap Competition, one of the signature events of BioHealth Capital Region Week 2025, taking place on Wednesday, September 24, during Day 2 of the BioHealth Capital Region Forum at US Pharmacopeia (USP) in Rockville, Maryland.

The Crab Trap showcases emerging startups developing high-impact innovations in therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health, and other transformative areas of healthcare. Finalists will pitch live to a panel of expert judges in front of a high-profile audience of industry leaders, investors, and commercialization partners.

The winning company will receive a valuable package of services and recognition to help accelerate its growth.

Click here to apply to compete in the Crab Trap.

Deadline to apply: AUGUST 29, 2025