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The National Institutes for Health (NIH) has awarded $4.4 million to a University of Maryland researcher and a colleague to develop both a novel therapeutic and a vaccine approach to address Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is the leading cause of bacterial community-acquired pneumonia and the cause of death for about 1.6 million people annually.

Pneumococcal vaccinations are very effective, but target just a few of the more than 100 different strains of pneumococcus; they’re also unavailable in many developing countries. Additionally, antimicrobial resistance is on the rise globally, and poses a risk of pneumococcal disease that is increasingly difficult to combat.

Expectations are high for combining human and artificial intelligence against health problems.

“Start by determining the problem you desire to solve, then decide on the technology to solve it,” said Subha Madhavan, vice president and head of clinical artificial intelligence/machine learning with global biopharmaceutical company Pfizer. 

Madhavan was the keynote speaker at AI for Pediatric Health and Rare Diseases, an inter-institutional meeting of scientists and innovators co-led by Children’s National Hospital and the Virginia Tech Sanghani Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics to discuss the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to understand pediatric health.

FREDERICK, Md., July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Theradaptive, a biopharmaceutical firm pioneering advancements in targeted regenerative therapeutics, has been awarded the Manufacturing Assistance Program grant by the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF). The grant will help Theradaptive develop their GMP Manufacturing Facility in Frederick, stimulating economic development in the state and bolstering Maryland’s reputation as a hub of biotechnological innovation.

Theradaptive seeks to significantly improve patient outcomes by producing targeted therapeutics that can be used to coat implants, devices, and injectable carriers. Their proprietary protein-engineering platform aims to provide greater efficacy, safety, and ease of use across multiple clinical indications including orthopedics, immuno-oncology and dental.

Lyell Immunopharma to use MaxCyte’s Flow Electroporation® technology and ExPERT™ platform in its T cell product candidates targeting solid tumors.

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MaxCyte, Inc., (Nasdaq: MXCT; LSE: MXCT), a leading, cell-engineering focused company providing enabling platform technologies to advance the discovery, development and commercialization of next-generation cell-based therapeutics and to support innovative, cell-based research, today announced the signing of a strategic platform license (SPL) with Lyell Immunopharma, Inc., a clinical stage T cell reprogramming company.

George Mason University/USDA team find probiotics counter high fat diets in pigs

FAIRFAX, Virginia – According to a new study published by George Mason University researchers Dr. Robin Couch and Dr. Allyson Dailey, in collaboration with researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), showed probiotics may play a pivotal role in preventive medicine.

High fat diets are a leading cause of obesity and can trigger the onset of metabolic syndrome. The research team found that probiotic intervention has significant potential for addressing obesity-related diseases.

Join us on a compelling episode of BioTalk as we sit down with three dynamic leaders from groundbreaking MedTech companies based in the thriving BioHealth Capital Region. These companies, JuneBrain, Xcision Medical Systems, and Sonavi Labs, were recently selected for the prestigious MedTech Innovator Accelerator, the world’s largest accelerator of medical technology companies. Discover their innovative solutions and the transformative impact they are making in healthcare.

Galen Robotics, Inc. was the winner of the 2018 BioHealth Capital Region Crab Trap Competition

COLUMBIA, Md. (June 27, 2023) – TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced a recent $500,000 Seed Funds investment into Galen Robotics, Inc. This round of seed funding is from the Life Sciences Investment Fund.

Bruce Lichorowic, Galen Robotics CEO“In 2017, Galen successfully secured our first MII Phase III grant which led us to make the decision to relocate our headquarters from Silicon Valley to Baltimore. Now, as we receive a follow-up investment, it is evident that TEDCO remains committed to supporting and nurturing its portfolio companies. Despite the macroeconomic challenges associated with early-stage funding, TEDCO has established itself as a leader in investing in high-quality startups based in Maryland. Their dedication to supporting local entrepreneurship is commendable and sets them apart in the startup ecosystem,” said Bruce Lichorowic, president and CEO of Galen Robotics. “TEDCO serves as a valuable resource for Maryland’s early-stage technology companies, offering not only funding opportunities but also mentorship, marketing strategies and introductions to key leaders within the government and industry. With these comprehensive support services, TEDCO becomes an indispensable resource that empowers startups to progress and reach the next level of their development.”

GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE: EBS, “Emergent” or the “Company”) today announced that Robert G. Kramer Sr. has informed the Board of Directors of his intention to retire from Emergent. Mr. Kramer will step down from his role as President and CEO of Emergent and as a member of the Company’s Board, effective immediately. The Board has appointed Haywood Miller as interim CEO while it conducts a search to identify a new permanent CEO, considering both internal and external candidates and with the assistance of a leading executive search firm. Mr. Miller, Managing Director at Berkeley Research Group (“BRG”), has served as an advisor to the Company and its executive management team for the last several months. In order to ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Kramer will serve as an advisor to the Company until August 1, 2023.

As Dr. Kurt Newman, President and CEO of Children’s National Hospital, prepares for retirement, BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) honors his exceptional contributions and visionary leadership in pediatric health and the BioHealth Capital Region. Since assuming the role of CEO in 2011, Dr. Newman has championed patient-centered care and driven innovation in research, operations, and clinical practices at Children’s National Hospital.

Under his guidance, Children’s National has formed successful partnerships with health systems, government entities, and community organizations, boosting pediatric healthcare forward and benefiting countless children and families. Dr. Newman’s advocacy for expanding mental health access for kids has significantly impacted many. He has led national forums on this critical issue, raising awareness and integrating mental health support within pediatric care.