In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Sam Gussman-Toh, Portfolio Manager for the Small Business Program at ARPA-H, joins the conversation to discuss how the agency is creating new pathways for small businesses developing ambitious health technologies.
Sam explains how the ARPA-H model differs from traditional federal funding programs, with a focus on moonshot health solutions, program manager-led portfolios, milestone-driven contracts, and a strong emphasis on moving technologies toward real-world use. He also discusses how the Small Business Program supports SBIR and STTR performers through Phase I, Phase II, Direct to Phase II, and Fast Track awards.
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The conversation highlights how ARPA-H is working with ambitious small businesses, including non-traditional companies and early-stage startups that may be working with the federal government for the first time. Sam also shares how commercialization support is built into the program, including ARPA-H’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence partnership with BioHealth Innovation. Through that relationship, BHI EIRs help performers strengthen regulatory strategy, intellectual property planning, go-to-market strategy, reimbursement considerations, and other key commercialization needs.
Sam also discusses ARPA-H’s draft Small Business Program solicitation, the upcoming virtual Proposers’ Day on June 11, and what companies should know about the application process, topic areas, technical pitches, and future funding opportunities.
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Sam Gussman-Toh is Portfolio Manager for the Small Business Program at ARPA-H, where he coordinates and oversees the agency’s SBIR/STTR awards and commercialization support services for participating small businesses. Sam joined ARPA-H in 2022 and wrote the agency’s first SBIR/STTR solicitation. He has held several roles in the Office of Commercialization and has worked closely with Program Managers to build the agency’s commercialization infrastructure and strategy. Previously, Sam designed and managed rapid prototyping programs across agencies in the Department of War. His technical background is in computer science, with interests in computer vision, autonomous robotic systems, and computational pathology.
In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Jared Smith, MBA, CEcD, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, joins the conversation to discuss his new role leading economic development efforts in one of the nation’s most important biohealth markets.
In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Ellen D. Harpel, Ph.D., Founder of Smart Incentives, joins the conversation to explore a topic that has shaped the growth of the BioHealth Capital Region but has rarely been discussed directly on the podcast: economic development incentives. Ellen explains why state and local governments use incentives, how they influence business location and expansion decisions, and why effective programs need clear goals, active management, performance measures, and public accountability.
This episode of the BioTalk with Rich Bendis Podcast brings together leaders from industry, academia, and economic development to unpack the vision behind a new life sciences Innovation District anchored in Prince William County. With introductions to NAUGEN, George Mason University’s Institute for Biohealth Innovation, and the Prince William County Department of Economic Development, setting the stage for how each organization contributes to the district’s foundation. The guests discuss the life science assets, research strengths, and translational capabilities that define the district and explain why it is well-positioned to support biotechnology and advanced R&D companies.
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.
Getting a biotech company off the ground takes more than science; it takes strategy, funding, and the right network. 
In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis welcomes Dr. Helen Sabzevari, President and CEO of Precigen, to discuss the company’s cutting-edge science in gene and cell therapy. Dr. Sabzevari shares how Precigen’s unique AdenoVerse® platform has powered the development of PRGN-2012, a potential first-in-class therapeutic currently under FDA priority review for the treatment of adults with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), a rare and devastating disease. She also highlights advances across Precigen’s broader pipeline in immuno-oncology and autoimmune disease and reflects on how Maryland’s BioHealth Capital Region has supported the company’s innovation and growth.