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Today, the U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded 51 “Build to Scale” grants – totaling $47 million – to organizations that support technology entrepreneurs, catalyze innovation and fuel economic growth. [Read full press release here]

EDA’s “Build to Scale” program provides annual grants that aim to accelerate technology entrepreneurship by increasing inclusive access to support and startup capital. The 2022 awardees will leverage an additional $48 million in matching funds from a variety of private and public sector sources. These EDA investments support advanced manufacturing, bioscience, clean energy and blue economy clusters in regions throughout the United States.

Image: https://content.govdelivery.com/

BELTSVILLE, Md., Oct. 04, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NextCure, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and developing novel, first-in-class immunomedicines to treat cancer and other immune-related diseases, today announced the initiation of a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial to evaluate NC410 in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in patients with immune checkpoint refractory or immune checkpoint naïve solid tumors. In addition, NextCure announced it has entered into a supply agreement for KEYTRUDA with Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada).

NC410 is a first-in-class immunomedicine designed to block immune suppression mediated by LAIR-1, an immunomodulatory receptor expressed on T cells and dendritic cells. Under the terms of the agreement, NextCure will sponsor the study and Merck will supply KEYTRUDA. The Phase 1b/2 trial will evaluate NC410 in combination with KEYTRUDA in patients with immune checkpoint refractory colorectal, esophageal, endometrial and head and neck cancers or immune checkpoint naïve patients with colorectal and ovarian cancers. The company expects to report initial Phase 1b data in mid-2023 followed by the initiation of the Phase 2 component of the study.

Is there a recession on the horizon?

Some economists say yes — and predict it’s going to be bad — while others say the United States will avoid one altogether. Still others forecast that one will linger for a while, but be relatively shallow.

But even if the country can’t dodge what many fear will follow record levels of inflation, a panel of experts in the life sciences field said on Tuesday they’re optimistic that the Frederick County biohealth sector may be spared from the worst effects of an economic downturn.

Image: Staff photo by Angela Roberts

Partnership combines miRecule’s unique RNA therapeutic discovery and conjugation platforms with Sanofi’s NANOBODY® technology to create a groundbreaking treatment for FSHD miRecule will receive an upfront payment with potential future milestone payments of nearly $400 million, in addition to tiered royalties Collaboration marks the first licensing transaction leveraging miRecule’s proprietary DREAmiR™ discovery platform, validating foundational science, and bolstering commitment to further expansion of the company’s RNA therapeutic pipeline October 04, 2022 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time GAITHERSBURG, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–miRecule, Inc., an innovator of next-generation RNA therapeutics, today announced a strategic collaboration and exclusive license agreement with Sanofi to develop and commercialize a best-in-class antibody-RNA conjugate (ARC) for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). The collaboration marks miRecule’s first licensing transaction leveraging its proprietary DREAmiR platform.

October 04, 2022 08:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time

GAITHERSBURG, Md–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Adaptive Phage Therapeutics, Inc. (“APT”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing the world’s largest therapeutic phage initiative for treatment of bacterial infectious diseases, today announced that the Defense Health Agency (DHA) has awarded an additional $5 million to support clinical development of APT’s adaptive bacteriophage (“phage”) therapy in treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO). APT is evaluating safety and efficacy of its precision phage-based therapy in the ongoing Phase 1/2 DANCE™ (DFO Adaptive Novel Care Evaluation) clinical trial.

Johns Hopkins University is teaming with two D.C.-area institutions, Howard University and the National Institutes of Health, to create a new accelerator to help companies and research scientists focused on treating neurological conditions.

The nonprofit biotechnology accelerator, NeuroTech Harbor, is funded by an NIH investment of $5 million a year over five years, which could go up to $20 million annually. The NeuroTech Harbor plans to launch 45 new neurological companies over the next five years.

Image: NeuroTech Harbor Executive Director Sri Sarma views the project as a catalyst to turn Baltimore into a the Silicon Valley of neurological technology. COURTESY OF SRI SARMA

The BioHealth Capital Region has made a name for itself in the last few years, currently holding tight to its #4 ranking on the Genetic & Engineering News (GEN) Top 10 Biopharma Clusters list. As more life science companies flock to the region, though, a new challenge arises – how do we create a strong pipeline of local talent to support their needs? This pipeline not only includes the high concentration of experienced talent the BHCR is known for but entry-level employees and people without four-year degrees who can be trained on-the-job.

Did you miss the 8^th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum? Below we are sharing many of the panels, fireside chats, and keynotes from this event hosted on September 20^th, 2022, from USP in Rockville, Maryland.

The year’s theme was “Imagine the Future Together,” with discussions on Healthcare Innovation, Change, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Thank you to all the Sponsors and Partners of the event and region this year.

Quantum World Congress is where global trailblazers, game-changers, innovators, and visionaries come together to accelerate a quantum-ready future

Quantum World Congress is the first-of-its-kind global conference, exposition, and networking event that brings a quantum-ready future into focus. Cross-sector, multi-disciplinary leaders and participants from around the world will gather for three days—November 29-December 1—in Washington, D.C. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center to explore this groundbreaking field. This event welcomes quantum technology visionaries, policymakers, researchers, business and investment leaders, educators, and students to discuss and showcase major developments in quantum solutions, research, education, workforce, thought leadership, policy, business, and investment. Technology builders and buyers will also discuss national and global progress as well as challenges and opportunities in the development of quantum computing, sensing, communications, and materials.