484th Edition, November 30, 2021

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November 30, 2021

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BioHealth Capital Region Spotlight: Creative Bio-Peptides Awarded $5.78 from NIH to Develop Breakthrough Treatments for Neuroinflammatory/Neurodegenerative Indications

Creative Bio-Peptides, Inc., an emerging drug development company focused on the development of leading-edge multi-chemokine antagonist therapeutic peptides for neuroinflammatory/neurodegenerative conditions, has been awarded $5.8M in non-dilutive funding from three NIH agencies.

“BHI congratulates Creative Bio-Peptides on this significant accomplishment and recognition by the National Institutes of Health,” said Rich Bendis, President & CEO, BioHealth Innovation. “We are proud of our partnership with Creative Bio-Peptides and how both teams worked together in successfully submitting multiple proposals which were funded in this extremely competitive SBIR process.”

Two of the three grants each represent multi-million-dollar funding over a 2-year period as part of the NIH’s HEAL Initiative, committed to providing safe non-opioid pain treatments for the 50 million Americans living with daily chronic pain as well as the 2 million Americans living with dependency or addiction to opioids.

Supernus Pharmaceuticals Completes Acquisition of Adamas Pharmaceuticals

Acquisition strengthens Parkinson’s disease portfolio and diversifies revenue and cash flow

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUPN) today announced that it has successfully completed its previously announced acquisition of Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADMS).

“Adamas fits squarely within our corporate development strategy, adding a late-stage commercial product with significant revenue,” said Jack Khattar, President and CEO of Supernus Pharmaceuticals. “In addition, the acquisition adds a new growth catalyst, diversifies our revenue base and cash flow, and is expected to be significantly accretive in 2022.”

Compelling Strategic Rationale

Strengthens Parkinson’s disease portfolio with GOCOVRI® (amantadine) extended release capsules, the first and only FDA-approved medicine indicated for the treatment of both OFF and dyskinesia in patients with Parkinson’s disease receiving levodopa-based therapy and Osmolex ER® (amantadine) extended release tablets, approved for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced extrapyramidal reactions in adult patients.
Diversifies and increases revenue base and cash flow, and combined with the acquisition of US WorldMeds CNS products in 2020, significantly reduces the reliance on net sales of Trokendi XR®.
Potential synergies of $60 million to $80 million in year one due to strong overlap with existing infrastructure.
The acquisition is expected to be significantly accretive in 2022.

Life Sciences Business Strategist – Open Position!

BioHealth Innovation (BHI) is an innovation intermediary that facilitates the commercialization of emerging technologies in the BioHealth Capital Region (Maryland, DC and Virginia).

BHI is seeking a Life Sciences Business Strategist to join its team in Rockville, Maryland. This position provides the opportunity to leverage scientific knowledge to evaluate the commercial potential of emerging technologies and provide recommendations on go-to-market strategies.

This is a customer facing role with a focus on supporting clients in the development of commercial analyses and federal grant proposals.

Click here for more details.

QIAGEN reaffirms effectiveness of its SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests in light of the new coronavirus variant B.1.1.529

HILDEN, Germany & GERMANTOWN, Maryland–(BUSINESS WIRE)– QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today announced its polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests remain accurate and effective in detecting SARS-CoV-2 infections in light of the emergence of a new variant of concern detected in South Africa.

QIAGEN has successfully assessed its SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests against the genetic mutations of the variant, which is known by its scientific name, B.1.1.529. The assessment was made against data available in the GISAID and GenBank public databases.

Immunomic Therapeutics Announces Collaboration With iOncologi

– Potential to bring in-house cell-based therapies that potentiate checkpoint inhibitors

November 23, 2021 06:41 PM Eastern Standard Time

ROCKVILLE, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc., (“ITI”) a privately held clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on advancing its proprietary nucleic acid immunotherapy platform, announced today an exclusive option to license or acquire a series of innovative technologies in the immuno-oncology space from iOncologi, Inc., (“iOi”).

Montgomery County Hires State House Vet to Coordinate White Flint BioHub Proposal

Montgomery County failed in its bid lure Amazon, the e-commerce giant that opted to build its second headquarters in Arlington, Va.

But top county officials have an alternate vision for the area surrounding the White Flint Metro station — a “life sciences hub” that exploits the presence of the close-by National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration.

“My goal is to produce a signature project that restates Montgomery County’s case as the leading life sciences center in the country,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc B. Elrich (D) in an interview. “(White Flint) is sitting on the Metro. It’s right down from the Beltway, and there’s a ton of under-developed property there.”

Emmes Announces Completion of Third ACTT Clinical Trial for COVID-19

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Emmes today announced that it conducted the data and statistical analysis for the third iteration of the Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial (ACTT-3), using its proprietary Advantage eClinical system. The ACTT-3 trial assessed the efficacy and safety of interferon beta-1a plus remdesivir compared to remdesivir alone in hospitalized adults with COVID-19.

Preliminary data from prior small studies had suggested a potential benefit of interferon beta-1a, a natural antiviral component of the immune system, for COVID-19 patients. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, sponsored a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that included 969 participants at 63 hospitals in five countries, including the U.S. to evaluate the combination of interferon beta-1a and remdesivir.

LifeSprout, Inc. Appoints Michael Kranda as CEO and Director

Industry veteran to lead regenerative cell therapy products company

November 18, 2021

BALTIMORE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–LifeSprout, Inc., a privately held regenerative medicine company founded with technology licensed from Johns Hopkins University, today announced the appointment of Michael Kranda as CEO and member of the board of directors.

“We’re pleased to have attracted an executive of Michael’s caliber to lead LifeSprout at this pivotal time for the company as we proceed to leverage the full potential of our regenerative cell therapy platform,” said Sashank Reddy, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder of LifeSprout.

“I welcome the opportunity to lead the LifeSprout team, and collaborate with the thought leaders in tissue engineering, nano biotechnology, and materials science from Johns Hopkins to establish a new standard of bio stimulatory products for cell therapy applications,” said Kranda, LifeSprout, Inc. CEO.

Bank of antibodies against nasty viruses that’s proposed for Maryland aims to prevent next pandemic.

As the world continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed more than 5 million lives, a group of researchers is working to get ahead of the next killer pathogen.

They aim to identify and establish a bank of warrior antibodies in Maryland, close to the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda. The antibodies would be derived from a who’s who of viruses most likely to wreak havoc, such as coronaviruses, influenzas, and flaviviruses that cause Zika and debilitating conditions such as encephalitis.

Richmond Inno – The Center for Innovative Technology has a new name. Here’s how it aims to impact Virginia's innovation ecosystem

The Center for Innovative Technology is now known as the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation. But it’s more than just a name change.

The rebranding is seen as a vital step in helping to propel Virginia forward as a nationwide leader in innovation, startups and technology, said Bob Stolle, president and CEO of VIPC

Health Canada announces results of Emergent BioSolutions facility inspection | BioSpace

OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 24, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ – Health Canada

Health Canada has completed its onsite inspection of the Emergent BioSolutions facility in Baltimore, Maryland. The European Medicines Agency and South African Health Products Regulatory Authority also participated in this inspection remotely. All three regulators found the facility to be compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

TEDCO's Maryland Innovation Initiative Advances Innovative Technologies From Lab to Market

COLUMBIA, Md., Nov. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies, announced its recent round of funding, including investments in 12 start-up companies and funding to 36 university projects through the Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII).

Established in 2012, the MII program was created as a partnership between the State of Maryland and five Maryland academic research institutions: Johns Hopkins University; Morgan State University; University of Maryland, Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; and University of Maryland, College Park. The program's mission is to accelerate promising technologies with significant commercial potential to market while leveraging each partner University's strengths.

Report: Baltimore leaders have 150 recommendations to grow an 'equitech' city – Technical.ly Baltimore

Baltimore leaders are coalescing around a big vision to build a more inclusive tech economy over the next decade, but there will be many small steps required to get there.

It means involving the whole community. That’s why ecosystem-building org UpSurge Baltimore rallied more than 200 partners this year to center Baltimore’s growth as a tech hub through the lens of equitech. UpSurge launched in April with equitech as a framework for prioritizing startups and companies with diverse leadership, teams and products that address societal barriers. It also partnered with Techstars to bring an accelerator to Baltimore focused around that vision. Around the same time, it also launched UpSurge Teams to convene.

Image: Photo by Flickr user Sue, used under a Creative Commons license

Collaborative Minds: Big Solutions – Hosted by the NOVA BioHub (Dec 2)

December 2^nd, 12:00 P.M. – 1:15 P.M.
Location: George Mason University SciTech Campus (Manassas, VA)

The event will also be offered virtually
Please click here to RSVP

Red Cell Forms Zephyr AI to Revolutionize Drug Discovery and Precision Medicine

TYSONS, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Red Cell Partners (“Red Cell”), an investment and incubation firm that backs, builds, and scales technology-led companies in healthcare and defense, today announced the formation of Zephyr AI, Inc. (“Zephyr AI”).

Zephyr AI’s mission is to transform drug discovery, redefine personalized medicine, and empower healthcare systems to achieve better patient outcomes at lower cost. Zephyr AI integrates artificial intelligence with extensive datasets to upend traditional “guess and test” drug development and personalized medicine processes to unearth novel therapeutics, new applications for existing therapeutics, and advanced biomarkers for individualized treatments.

The Healthtech Index

Study uses data to reveal the cities with the most developed healthtech ecosystems in the world, and identify the cities that are leading the technological advancement of different healthcare sectors, including telemedicine and mental health.

Out of the 85 best cities for healthtech in the world, Boston ranks #1.
Boston is the highest ranking city in the index and the global capital of biometric data gathering, hearing aids, cardiovascular and gynaecology. New York and San Francisco rank second and third.
Taipei leads the index for R&D funding levels in healthtech, followed by Beijing and Boston.
Boston has the highest number of healthtech startups, ahead of San Francisco and Singapore.
Healthtech employees in Zurich receive the highest salaries, followed by Basel and San Jose (USA). Employees in Beijing receive the lowest salaries for the same job roles.

Berlin, Germany, November 2021 – software development company Moove-It.com has released a study that analyzes the healthtech capabilities of 85 global cities. As a company that helps organizations use technology for positive impact in multiple industries including healthcare, Moove It decided to conduct a study to identify which global locations have the most developed healthtech ecosystems. To do this, they assessed each city against a range of factors related to investment, corporate infrastructure, human capital, and their healthtech credentials in different sectors. The resulting index gives insight into which cities have the most robust healthtech ecosystems, and which are the global capitals of healthtech in different healthcare sectors.

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