BioHealth Innovation is expanding its Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) network and is seeking experienced leaders at the intersection of biohealth and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
This call is for seasoned operators with a strong commercialization background. Ideal candidates have taken innovations from concept through market entry, licensing, spinout, or acquisition, and understand the realities of regulatory pathways, customer discovery, fundraising, and scale. Experience working with startups, academic technologies, government labs, or early-stage venture-backed companies is essential. EIRs serve in a part time advisory role with BHI, working flexibly alongside other professional commitments while contributing hands on commercialization expertise.
We are particularly interested in EIRs who can translate AI and quantum capabilities into practical biohealth applications, including drug discovery, diagnostics, clinical research, manufacturing, data analytics, and health system innovation. The role requires comfort working across technical, business, and stakeholder environments.
EIRs work closely with entrepreneurs, researchers, and partners across the BioHealth Capital Region and nationally. Engagements may include advising project teams, supporting partner initiatives, guiding commercialization strategy, and mentoring founders navigating early growth decisions.
This is an opportunity to contribute deep expertise to high-potential biohealth innovations while remaining connected to a collaborative, mission-driven ecosystem.
Interested candidates should contact BHI Founder, President, and CEO, Rich Bendis, with a summary of their background, commercialization experience, and areas of technical focus.
IonQ Vice President and GM of Quantum Platform Matthew Keesan joins BioTalk for a clear look at how they are advancing quantum computing from its home base in the BioHealth Capital Region. He shares the story of IonQ’s Maryland roots and explains quantum computing in straightforward terms for listeners seeking a high-level understanding. The conversation moves into why biohealth leaders should track the hardware race, what distinguishes IonQ’s approach, and how quantum is already being paired with AI to strengthen modeling and analysis. Keesan walks through early use cases showing traction today, challenges common myths about timelines, and shares which biohealth applications he expects to gain mainstream momentum by 2030.
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William Hurley, known widely as Whurley, joins BioTalk for a deep look at how quantum computing is moving from theory into practical use across the biohealth landscape. He opens the conversation with an introduction to Strangeworks and explains why the company is focused on making quantum computing more accessible for real-world problem-solving. The discussion explores how quantum could support breakthroughs in genomics and personalized medicine, improve the way clinical trials are modeled, and strengthen manufacturing and supply chain operations. Whurley also talks through the ingredients required for regional leadership in this space, including infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and a specialized workforce. He shares his view on what will distinguish successful players in quantum from those who overpromise or misread the market, and closes with a forward look at the convergence of quantum, AI, and biotechnology and the impact these capabilities could have on healthcare innovation. The conversation follows his recent keynote appearance at the BioHealth Capital Region Forum this past September.
Secretary Juan Pablo Segura joins BioTalk for a conversation about Virginia’s growing position in the biohealth economy and the statewide strategy behind it. He outlines the significance of the new partnership with AstraZeneca, Lilly, and Merck, including up to $120 million in private investment to create a workforce development center and expand the Commonwealth’s life sciences capacity. Segura talks through how Virginia approaches company recruitment, what investors are responding to, and why the state is seeing increased interest from biomanufacturing and advanced R&D companies. He also discusses Virginia’s use of public-private partnerships to accelerate industry growth, strengthen the talent pipeline, and support emerging hubs across the Commonwealth. The conversation closes with a look at Virginia’s role in the BioHealth Capital Region and how the regional identity helps amplify the state’s message as it continues building a competitive biohealth ecosystem.
This episode brings together three leaders working at the intersection of pediatric innovation, health security, and early-stage commercialization. Kolaleh Eskandanian, Program Director of SPARK, is joined by founders Dori Jones of AcQumen Medical and Jugal Suthar of Vesynta for a conversation about advancing breakthrough solutions for children. They discuss the mission behind the BARDA-funded SPARK for Innovations in Pediatrics Hub at Children’s National Hospital, the challenges of developing technologies for pediatric populations, and the impact of public-private partnerships in moving lifesaving tools to market. Dori and Jugal share what their companies are building, the inflection points that shaped their journeys, and how BioHealth Innovation’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence program supported their progress. The group reflects on lessons learned, the value of mentorship, and how collaborative accelerator ecosystems help drive breakthroughs in pediatric care, preparedness, and health equity.
RICHMOND, Va.
This month, a new Northern Virginia International Soft-Landing Accelerator (NISA) program, designed to help start-ups from around the globe find guidance, connections, and lab or office spaces at no cost, was launched to help develop new technologies in life sciences.
BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI), a leading public-private nonprofit organization supporting healthcare innovation in the BioHealth Capital Region, announces the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: Matthew Keesan, Vice President and GM of Quantum Platform at IonQ, and Prashant Panchal, Director of Business Planning and Operations at AstraZeneca. Their backgrounds strengthen BHI’s commitment to advancing a region known for scientific leadership, emerging technologies, and next-generation workforce development.
In this episode of BioTalk, CEO Gerard Eldering explains how Perfusion Medical is addressing a problem that trauma physicians and military medics have been struggling with for decades: capillary compression. Perfusion Medical is developing a drug aimed at treating hemorrhagic shock and other ischemic conditions. PM‑208 is a novel IV therapeutic designed to restore capillary blood flow, resolve ischemia, and protect vital organs. The team has advanced this work with $19 million in Department of Defense funding. He describes the scale of the unmet need, why PM‑208 is both organ- and disease‑agnostic, and how its simple formulation and strong safety profile position it for broad medical use.