The past few years in the biotech industry have been filled with challenges and promise.
From the rapid and successful deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine and the explosion of the cell and gene therapy sector to a hiring boom, remarkable advances in tissue engineering and strong biomanufacturing growth, the BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR) has played a pivotal role in it all.
To say a lot has changed is the understatement of the century. The question remains, however: Where is the BHCR headed?
There is no better way to get a glimpse into the future of the region’s life sciences ecosystem than the 8th annual BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR) Forum, which is fast approaching. The 2022 BHCR Forum is a can’t miss in-person/live streamed event hosted at United States Pharmacopeia (USP) in Rockville, Maryland on September 20th. Also, on September 21st at USP will be the 5th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Investment Conference and the 7th Annual Crab Trap Competition.
Every year, the top thought leaders and subject matter experts from the BHCR and beyond are brought together to discuss global trends and industry growth in Maryland, D.C., and Virginia, as well as the goal of becoming a top-three U.S. biotech cluster by 2023.
The BHCR Forum is free to executive level biotech leaders and will feature compelling keynotes and discussions— including speakers from NIH, BARDA, CEPI, TEDCO, Children’s National Hospital, JLABS and many biohealth industry representatives. There will be great networking opportunities and an informative GEN Top 10 Biocluster update from Alex Philippidis, Senior Business Editor of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.
The BHCR Forum is organized by the following event partners: The Association of University Research Parks; AstraZeneca; BioHealth Innovation; BRAINBox Solutions, Inc, Children’s National Hospital; George Mason University; Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS @ Washington, DC; the Maryland Department of Commerce, MCEDC, REDI and Virginia Bio.
The all-day event will be accessible with in-person attendance and live stream, and will feature the following special sessions in addition to a host of break out panels throughout the day:
- Opening remarks delivered by BHI’s Rich Bendis discussing the theme “Imagine the Future Together”
- A BioHealth Investment Climate Fireside Chat with BHI’s Rich Bendis and Joel Marcus, Executive Chairman and Founder of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
- A Keynote from Gary Disbrow, Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with Maurice Jones, CEO of OneTen
- Next Generation Immunity with Stu Soloman, President & CEO, Connected DMV
- A Keynote from Matt McMahon, Director of the NIH Small Business Education and Entrepreneurial Development SEED Program
Breakout panel topics will include:
Infectious Diseases Resources for Research and Development
For more than 200 years US Pharmacopeia (USP) has been setting standards that help bring new medicines to market by supporting regulatory predictability in manufacturing and innovation. In this session you will learn more about USP, the standards they are working on to support new medicines such as mAbs and vaccines, and how they are helping address barriers to adoption of new manufacturing technologies. The discussion will also include a perspective from a new biopharma company on how standards are helping them bring new medicines to market.
How Standards Help Bring New Medicines to Market: An Introduction to US Pharmacopeia
For more than 200 years US Pharmacopeia (USP) has been setting standards that help bring new medicines to market by supporting regulatory predictability in manufacturing and innovation. In this session you will learn more about USP, the standards they are working on to support new medicines such as mAbs and vaccines, and how they are helping address barriers to adoption of new manufacturing technologies. The discussion will also include a perspective from a new biopharma company on how standards are helping them bring new medicines to market.
The FDA Centers for Regulatory Science and Innovation
Headquartered in White Oak, Maryland, the FDA is the world’s leading regulator of drugs and devices and is committed to helping deliver innovation, safe and effective treatments and cures to patients who need them as quickly as possible. Learn how the FDA — through the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) and the extramural Centers for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI) works with the research hospitals, academic medical centers, and the industry to foster life sciences innovations.
Regional Support for BioHealth Entrepreneurs
The BioHealth Capital Region is a nurturing space for innovators, researchers, and problem solvers. Within the region’s three jurisdictions (D.C., Maryland and Virginia) local startups can find technical assistance, lab infrastructure, mentoring and funding from private and public sector partners. Learn more about the resources available in BHCR’s entrepreneurial ecosystem as you commercialize your technology and grow your company.
Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability in the BioHealth Industry
Innovation within the BioHealth industry can provide global solutions for environmental challenges, like climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Leadership in sustainable business operations can also reduce lab and facility energy consumption and waste. In some cases, local life sciences leaders are going even further and reimagining their corporate structure to include a commitment not only to shareholders but also to patients, the planet, their employees, and our communities.
Innovation through Collaboration: Opportunities in the BHCR
Successful BioHealth companies understand that collaboration is the key to solving our most pressing healthcare challenges. From incubation to Open Innovation to investing in start-ups, the BioHealth Capital Region’s private sector is replete with partnerships, knowledge transfer, and opportunities to accelerate research in order to save more lives more quickly. Hear from the region’s biggest life sciences companies and labs about the ways they foster collaboration with external researchers and innovators–your company could be next!
BioHealth companies still have time to apply for both the BioHealth Capital Region Investment Conference and the Crab Trap on September 21st.