News

In a recent article by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, Paul Vulto, PhD, CEO of Mimetas, discusses the growing demand for advanced organ modeling in fields like oncology and metabolic diseases. Mimetas is at the forefront of this innovation, creating sophisticated assays that replicate the complex tumor microenvironment and immune interactions. Their groundbreaking work in liver modeling has produced a life-like liver structure, with significant applications in fibrosis, NASH, and gene therapies, enhancing the accuracy of preclinical testing.

We’re just over a month away from the 2024 BioHealth Capital Region Week, which takes place from September 17th, 18th, and 19th at US Pharmacopeia in Rockville, MD. This milestone event marks a decade of transformative discussions and partnerships. Here’s what each day has in store:

BioHealth Capital Region Forum (September 17th-18th)
Celebrating our 10th Annual Forum with a robust lineup of speakers and panels:

• Updates:
  • GEN Top 10 BioCluster Update with Alex Philippidis, Senior Business Editor, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News
  • BioHealth Capital Region Update with Pete Briskman, Executive Managing Director, JLL-Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated

• Keynotes:
  • John F. Crowley, President & CEO, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
  • Robert Stoffel, Vice President of Research, Amgen
  • Craig Gravitz, Director, Project Accelerator Transition Innovation Office, ARPA-H
• Panels:
  • Meet Some of the BioHealth Capital Region’s Med Tech Leaders
  • Virginia: Leading the Way in Advanced BioHealth Manufacturing
  • Transforming Healthcare: Innovations and Future Trends in Digital Health
  • The Baltimore Tech Hub: Implementing Equitech Principles to Build a Thriving Ecosystem for AI and Life Sciences
  • How Emerging AI, Machine Learning, and Quantum Technologies Will Impact Discovery and Regulation of New Drugs and Devices: A Peek Into the Future
  • Collaborative Approaches to Support Innovation in Biotechnology in the Capital Region
  • New BHCR Regional Research Initiatives
  • Entrepreneurs in Residence Supporting the BHCR Ecosystem
  • Inside the BioHealth Capital Region, Accessing Early Stage SSBCI Funding
  • Biomedical Engineering: Meet the Region’s Bio Engineering Academic Leaders

Additional Fireside chats and panels are still being finalized. Please check the event agenda regularly for updates.

(Baltimore, MD) – Longeviti Neuro Solutions, a neurotechnology company with a focus on innovative solutions for complex brain surgeries, proudly announces the issuance of a groundbreaking patent for its novel prosthetic translucent, cranial implant. The ClearFit® implant integrates brain-computer interface (BCI), brain mapping, and neurosonography (brain ultrasound). This product sets a new standard in neurosurgical procedures, marking the first time a single implant has been patented to cover three critical areas. ClearFit’s patented technology was recently on the cover of Science Translational Medicine demonstrating promising research around this implant and neurosonography.*   

Rockville, Md. (August 5, 2024) – Cellphire Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company developing next-generation allogeneic cellular therapeutics, announced today that Damien Bates, MD, PhD, FRACS, MBA joined the company as Chief Medical Officer.

Cellphire Therapeutics is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Damien Bates as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Bates brings a wealth of experience in clinical development and strategic leadership to the role. In his new position, Dr. Bates will spearhead both strategic initiatives in clinical development and daily clinical operations, driving forward the company’s vision of saving lives with transformative stabilized cellular therapeutics. His track record of success in the clinical development and regulatory approval of multiple allogeneic cell therapies, key opinion leader engagement and operational excellence will be instrumental in advancing Cellphire’s innovative pipeline and ensuring the successful execution of its clinical programs. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Bates to the team and look forward to the impact of his expertise on our continued growth and success.

The 7th Annual Investment Conference, scheduled for September 19th during the BioHealth Capital Region Week at US Pharmacopeia in Rockville, MD, offers a unique platform for companies and investors. Attendees will have the opportunity to create detailed profiles and schedule face-to-face meetings throughout the day to discuss potential collaborations and funding. Simultaneously, the auditorium will feature a series of quick pitches, providing selected companies and some investors with 7 minutes each to introduce themselves and present their ideas in front of an audience of peers and potential partners.

Why Investors Should Attend

For investors, this conference is an indispensable opportunity to access a curated selection of startups with groundbreaking ideas poised for investment. It offers a chance to engage directly with founders, understand their business models, and evaluate their potential in person. Investors can gain early insights into emerging technologies and trends, potentially leading to profitable investment opportunities and partnerships. Register Now.

Why Companies Should Attend

For companies, the Investment Conference is a vital avenue to meet face-to-face with leading investors actively looking to fund innovative projects and businesses. It provides a platform not only for potential funding but also for valuable feedback and advice on scaling their operations. The quick-pitch sessions offer companies a chance to capture attention, showcase their innovations, and articulate their vision to a room full of potential backers. Register Now.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) announced the introduction of a new NARCANDirect™ distribution center in Nevada to further demonstrate its commitment to broadening access to NARCAN^® Nasal Spray nationwide. This new facility allows Emergent to further meet the increased demand for naloxone by now having coast-to-coast distribution mechanisms in place to continue to provide faster, more efficient delivery to public interest customers, as well as other purchasing entities.

NARCANDirect™ is an online portal that enables qualified direct purchasers, such as emergency medical services, law enforcement, fire departments, government agencies, schools/universities, and community-based naloxone distribution programs, to purchase and ship NARCAN^® Nasal Spray directly.

In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis, President and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, Inc., welcomes guests from ARPA-H: Craig Gravitz, Director of the Project Accelerator Transition Innovation Office (PATIO), and Jenica Patterson, Ph.D., Portfolio Lead at ARPA-H. Together, they provide a comprehensive overview of ARPA-H’s mission and innovative programs.

Craig Gravitz and Jenica Patterson share their educational and career backgrounds, setting the stage for a discussion about ARPA-H and its various initiatives. They provide insights into how ARPA-H differentiates itself from other agencies like HHS and NIH, while also highlighting their collaborative efforts.

Listen now via your favorite podcast platform:

Apple: https://apple.co/4dy5wmS
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yDIV9k 
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3AcL3FI 
TuneIn: https://bit.ly/3LV54Dg

Listeners will learn about the Project Accelerator Transition Innovation Office (PATIO) and its crucial role within ARPA-H. Jenica Patterson discusses her portfolio, including key areas and projects, and provides details on the new women’s sprint for health initiative and its funding tracks.

GSK and Flagship Pioneering have entered into a partnership worth up to $7bn to discover and develop novel medicines and vaccines for a range of conditions.

Bringing together GSK’s expertise in disease and development capability via Flagship’s ecosystem of bioplatform companies, the collaboration aims to develop a portfolio of up to ten future medicines and vaccines, beginning in respiratory and immunology, which will each be subject to an exclusive option by GSK for further clinical development.

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Theriva™ Biologics, Inc. (NYSE American: TOVX), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Rare Pediatric Drug Designation (RPDD) for VCN-01 for the treatment of retinoblastoma. VCN-01, Theriva’s lead product candidate, is a systemic, selective, stroma-degrading oncolytic adenovirus. Previously, the FDA granted orphan drug designation to VCN-01 for treatment of retinoblastoma.

HONG KONG, GERMANTOWN, Md. and SUZHOU, China, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Sirnaomics Ltd. (the “Company“, Stock Code: 2257.HK, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group” or “Sirnaomics“), a leading biopharmaceutical company engaging in discovery and development of advanced RNAi therapeutics, today announced a partnership with Gore Range Capital LLC (“Gore Range Capital“) (Dallas, TX, USA) for establishment of a joint venture, Sagesse Bio, Inc., to advance its novel RNAi therapeutic products into aesthetic medicine.