ROCKVILLE AND BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, February 18, 2014 – BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) and China Fortune Land Development Co., Ltd. (CFLD) announced today that they have signed an agreement to jointly manage a newly created Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR) position to be located at the BHI headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. This first-of-its-kind position will lead in the scouting of technologies and partnership opportunities in life science hubs in the U.S. and China.
“We’re very pleased to advance our partnership with BHI,” said Mr. Hu Zhen Yu, Vice President for CFLD, a company specializing in investment and operation of industrial areas in China, including science parks. “Our organizations first had a chance to connect in person when BHI’s CEO Rich Bendis traveled with a delegation from Montgomery County, Maryland, to China. Now, we look forward to filling this new EIR position, which will help to identify talented businesses and commercial prospects for our collaborative efforts.”
The new EIR will evaluate life science technologies in both China and the U.S. markets; provide a strategic plan for start-up companies; advise on opportunities for new ventures; and lead the commercial strategy for mature assets. This would be BHI’s 5th EIR since the program’s inception two years ago.
“This effort between BHI and CFLD is an important step in Montgomery County’s global partnerships supporting the growth of local biotechnology and health sciences in Montgomery County,” said Ike Leggett, County Executive of Montgomery County, Maryland, who led a delegation of business, government and education leaders that visited China in 2013. “We are grateful to our Chinese community in Montgomery County for making the connections with strategic partners in China, and welcome the opportunity to better connect our rich life sciences resources with the largest health market in the world through strategic partnerships with more Chinese corporations.”
In the fall of 2013, Mr. Leggett led a four-city mission trip to China for leaders from Montgomery County and the DC metropolitan area. The goal of the trip was to promote Montgomery County as a premier location for Chinese investors and businesses, and to open doors for Montgomery Country-based businesses in China.
“On the heels of participating in a successful trip to China, I’m pleased to have BHI work in partnership with CFLD to develop this new addition to our expanding EIR program,” said Rich Bendis, President & CEO of BHI. “Together, our ability to recognize high potential business opportunities will be beneficial for both Central Maryland and China.”
BHI and CFLD are currently accepting resumes from those interested in applying for this new EIR position. Fluency in Mandarin is a requirement. Learn more at on the BHI website.
About China Fortune Land Development Co., Ltd.
China Fortune Land Development Co., Ltd. is a leading expert in investment and operation of industrial area in China. Founded in 1998, CFLD is a professional enterprise group in investment and operation of industrial area and devotes itself to providing various industrial, logistics and commercial facilities and perfect investment, production, commercial affairs, government affairs and life supporting services for enterprises. Learn more at http://en.cfldcn.com/.
About BioHealth Innovation, Inc.
BioHealth Innovation, Inc., is a regional innovation intermediary focused on commercializing market-relevant bio-health innovations and increasing access to early-stage funding in Maryland. Learn more at www.biohealthinnovation.org.
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Media contacts:
Rich Bendis, President & CEO, 301-637-6439, rbendis@biohealthinnovation.org