Leaders from the BioHealth Capital Region welcome the over 1,000 registrants to the 7th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum.
Rich Bendis, President, and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, gives his annual State of the Union for the BioHealth Capital Region. In spite of the Covid 19 Pandemic, the Region has seen record growth in 2020/2021 and is well on its way to being a Top 3 BioCluster by 2023.
Alex Philippidis, Senior Business Editor of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News returns to the Forum to give his annual update on the GEN rankings of the Top 10 Bio Clusters in the United States. The BioHealth Capital Region is currently ranked #4 with a goal to be Top 3 by 2023, and Alex discusses each of the 10 top clusters and discusses how they have performed during the Pandemic. He will also mention the Up and Coming Regions of the Country.
Pete Briskman, Executive Managing Director and Co-Lead for the Mid-Atlantic Life Sciences Practice, follows Alex and does a deep dive into the BioHealth Capital Region's outstanding performance over the last year.
Julie Lenzer, Chief Innovation Officer at the University of Maryland, introduces Chris Monroe of IonQ, a recent University of Maryland Spinout.
After 25 years of research, IonQ was founded in 2015 with a license of their core technology from the University of Maryland and Duke University to take trapped ion quantum technology out of the lab and into the market. With venture capital funding from NEA and others, they built two of the world's most accurate quantum computers. In 2021 IonQ became the first publicly traded Pure-Play Quantum Computing Company valued at over $2 Billion.
Chris Monroe discusses how IonQ is making quantum computers available in the cloud and how they are making their next generation of hardware available to partners worldwide.
Bio Byte Segment- Hartaj Singh
With a world awash in growing volumes of biomedical data, new sensors, and promises that artificial intelligence (AI) will transform the medical industry, the questions of whether, where, when, and how to jump in need answers. This panel explores important fundamentals for success in today's rapidly evolving big data and AI environment, beginning with AI basics, commenting on hope and hype, and culminating with valuable insights from those leaders who have taken the plunge and started new ventures that are quickly becoming success stories. Ranging from medical diagnostics improving detection of disease to accelerating the development of new treatments, the panelists bring a breadth of first-hand experience in starting local and aiming global to deliver value to the medical community with their innovations that bring together biomedical data AI, and an unflappable entrepreneurial spirit.
Bio Byte Segment – Ellen Ambrose, PhD
Providing the depth and experience of large and heavily resourced IP firms, as well as deep technology experience from the boutique and in house academic professionals, this panel discusses topics that shed light on the key issues to consider while growing a technology business
Bio Byte Segment – Dr. Kurt Newman
Opportunities for applied research project funding have never been greater for the BioHealth Capital Region. From NIH creating innovation pathways to the stand up of BARDA, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, to new applied research funding coming from the Endless Frontier Act, now incorporated into the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, the prospects have never been more excellent. Hear from some national experts on how our region can benefit.
The United States is investing in the domestic production of APIs to reduce foreign dependency and make life-saving drugs more readily available domestically. Petersburg, Virginia's Phlow Corporation, recipient of $354 million BARDA funding for the production of APIs for essential medicines, is at the leading edge of this effort. Hear from Phlow founders Eric Edwards, MD, and Frank Gupton, PhD's as they discuss their life-saving work and the use of data and analytics in Phlow's cutting-edge advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
Closing of Day 1
Rich Bendis, President and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, conducts a fireside chat with Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), since 1984. Dr. Fauci oversees an annual budget of over $6 Billion and has advised 7 President’s on many domestic and global health issues. He has an extensive portfolio of basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose and treat many existing and emerging infectious diseases.
The fireside chat includes a discussion on Dr. Fauci’s background and interest in healthcare issues, his role at NIAID and serving the Administration, the importance of NIH to the Country and the BioHealth Capital Region, and career opportunities at NIAID and NIH. They also discuss the Covid 19 Pandemic and recommendations to address proactive measures to reduce the impact of potential future pandemics.
Stu Solomon, the CEO of Connected DMV, located in Washington D.C., will lead a stimulating panel discussion on the newly formed evidence-based Global Pandemic Prevention and Biodefense Center, which will be headquartered in Montgomery County, Maryland.
The Center is a non-profit private/public/partnership formed to prevent and reduce the impact of potential future pandemics and partners with other global organizations including CEPI, WHO, Welcome Leap, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, BIO, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, many U. S. Federal agencies, academic institutions and industry BioHealth leaders.
The lead initiative, AHEAD 100, was conceived by panelist Dr. James Crowe of Vanderbilt University, using monoclonal antibodies as a countermeasure to protect frontline workers and the exposed community while also reducing the critical criticality time gap between disease outbreak and activated vaccines.
Bio Byte Segment – Dr. James Crowe
Bio Byte Segment – Thomas Haag
Data confirms that the BioHealth Capital Region is replete with the talent needed to support the growth of the biopharmaceutical industry, including the information science and digital technology capabilities that promise to remodel our approach to discovery, development and delivery of life-changing health-related solutions. This panel discussion highlights the successful models being used in the region to cultivate this talent and connect it to the career opportunities that await.
Bio Byte Segment – Dr. Amrie Grammer
New investments are being made throughout the region to support the growth of a thriving life science community. Learn about new commercial lab space on the horizon, research parks and innovation districts that are building collaborative environments, and programs available to assist companies on their path to success. Stay through the end to view an advertisement from Forum Sponsor EAGB.
Joel Marcus is the Executive Chairman of the Board of Alexandria Real Estate Equities (ARE), which he co-founded in 1994. ARE now controls over 50,000,000 square feet of real estate, with the majority of space dedicated to the Life Science Industry located in the top 7 markets in the U.S., including Greater Boston, San Francisco, NYC, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle. In 1996 Mr. Marcus founded the company’s strategic venture capital arm, Alexandria Venture Investments, which has been the most prolific Life Science venture investor for the last 3 years and has approximately $2 Billion of assets under management.
Mr. Marcus discusses the vibrant BioHealth investment market and the tremendous growth it has experienced over the last few years in spite of the Pandemic. He will also discuss some of the hottest technologies and market segments for investment and the ARE investment philosophy. ARE continues to grow its presence in the BioHealth Capital Region and has increased its investment portfolio here.
Bio Byte Segment – Sally Allain
Rich Bendis, President, and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, speaks with Dr. Tara Schwetz, Assistant Director for Biomedical Science Initiatives, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
The session focuses on a vision for a new science entity, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). This new NIH Institute would accelerate biomedical innovation and the adoption of technologies and approaches to revolutionize healthcare and medicine.
Closing Remarks