Every year, millions of fish raised in aquaculture die of nervous necrosis virus (NNV). “The disease affects the brain, and the fish lose their vision and balance,” says Vikram Vakharia, professor of marine biotechnology at UMBC. As a result of damage to the nervous system, “the fish just swim in circles,” Vakharia says. His lab is housed at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET) on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
Principal, J. Rosario et Al, LLC
Biomedical entrepreneur, physician, leader, advocate, educator, and biomedical researcher with thirty four consecutive years of experience in strategic clinical research development, effective public-private partnerships, international multidisciplinary collaborations, biomedical education, science administration, and organizational development in the United States and around the world. Superior leadership, organization, management, communication and negotiation skills. Extensive national and international professional network in medicine, biotechnology, government, multilateral organizations, industry, and philanthropy.
William Hearl of Immunomic and Lily Qi from the Montgomery County Office of the County Executive Join BHI’s Board
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, Aug. 2, 2016 – BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) announced that its Board of Directors has voted and approved the appointments of new board members William Hearl, Founder and CEO of Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc. (ITI) and Founder of Capital Genomix, Inc. (CGI), and Lily Qi, M.B.A., Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for Economic and Workforce Development, Office of the County Executive for Montgomery County, Maryland.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome our new members to the board,” said Richard Bendis, BHI President and CEO. “Dr. Hearl’s pioneering spirit and business acumen make him a major player in the vast world of immunotherapies and biotechnology, and Ms. Qi’s active involvement with establishing BHI as well as her ability to bridge the gap across government, corporate and community audiences are assets that make her a great partner.”
CEO, Phlow Corporation – Entrepreneur, Investor, Mentor
Dr. Eric S. Edwards is currently the co-founder and CEO of Phlow Corporation, a leading impact-driven pharmaceutical company focused on securing the supply chain for critical essential medicines and their ingredients in America. Previously, Dr. Edwards was an independent executive healthcare, pharmaceutical, and medical device consultant to small and large multi-national corporations. Prior to consulting, Dr. Edwards was the co-founder of Kaléo, Inc., a pharmaceutical company in Richmond, VA developing novel medicines for the treatment of a variety or chronic and acute-care diseases. He is co-inventor of several currently marketed products, including AUVI-Q, an epinephrine Auto-injector for the treatment of allergic emergencies (anaphylaxis) as well as the Naloxone Auto-injector (Rapid Opioid Countermeasure System) currently being deployed by the DoD in case of an opioid-related attack on the homeland or abroad as a part of the warfighter’s medical arsenal.
Dr. Edwards has over 240 patents and has authored numerous publications in the allergy and opioid use disorder arena as well as on America’s essential medicine supply chain. Dr. Edwards has been active on several committees and boards, including being appointed by the Governor to the Board of the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park Authority/ Activation Capital and serving as a mentor and Board member for Lighthouse Labs, a nationally-recognized, Top 25 Accelerator. He is also on the founding Board of the Food Allergy Science Initiative (FASI) working with world-class researchers to find a cure and develop treatments for food allergies. Dr. Edwards graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University’s guaranteed admission program. While at VCU/MCV, he received a B.S. in Biology, his Ph.D. in the Pharmaceutical Sciences, and M.D. degrees.
Senior Vice President, Global External Affairs – Secretary, USP Convention – Secretary, USP Board of Trustees
Anthony Lakavage is Senior Vice President, Global External Affairs and Secretary, USP Convention and Board of Trustees. In his role, Mr. Lakavage oversees Global Communications, U.S. and International Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Global Stakeholder Engagement and the USP Quality Institute. He is the lead architect of the organization’s external engagement strategy and represents USP in a variety of forums involving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Congress, international regulatory authorities and ministries of health, professional and trade organizations, non-governmental organizations and the news media.Anthony Lakavage is Senior Vice President, Global External Affairs and Secretary, USP Convention and Board of Trustees. In his role, Mr. Lakavage oversees Global Communications, U.S. and International Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Global Stakeholder Engagement and the USP Quality Institute. He is the lead architect of the organization’s external engagement strategy and represents USP in a variety of forums involving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Congress, international regulatory authorities and ministries of health, professional and trade organizations, non-governmental organizations and the news media.
As secretary to the USP Convention, Mr. Lakavage works closely with the 450 member organizations comprising the USP Convention, which includes healthcare practitioner and patient organizations, industry associations, and governments. As Secretary to the Board, he supports the Board’s work on organization strategy, and financial and risk management. He is an officer of the USP Convention.As secretary to the USP Convention, Mr. Lakavage works closely with the 450 member organizations comprising the USP Convention, which includes healthcare practitioner and patient organizations, industry associations, and governments. As Secretary to the Board, he supports the Board’s work on organization strategy, and financial and risk management. He is an officer of the USP Convention.
Mr. Lakavage has worked in numerous segments of the life sciences industry including the pharmaceutical, vaccine, medical technology, and clinical laboratory sectors. His experience is geographically diverse and spans the U.S. federal and state level, Europe, global institutions and emerging markets.Mr. Lakavage has worked in numerous segments of the life sciences industry including the pharmaceutical, vaccine, medical technology, and clinical laboratory sectors. His experience is geographically diverse and spans the U.S. federal and state level, Europe, global institutions and emerging markets.
Mr. Lakavage brings more than twenty years of demonstrated leadership in public affairs; public policy and government relations; and global health advocacy to his role at USP. A biopharmaceutical industry veteran, Mr. Lakavage has held a variety of US and international public policy and government affairs leadership roles for GlaxoSmithKline, Gilead Sciences, Chiron Corporation and Applied Biosystems. Prior to joining USP, Mr. Lakavage worked in the medical technology sector serving as Worldwide Vice President, Public Affairs, at Becton Dickinson. Earlier in his career, he worked for Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Mark Singel and Missouri Congressman Alan Wheat.Mr. Lakavage brings more than twenty years of demonstrated leadership in public affairs; public policy and government relations; and global health advocacy to his role at USP. A biopharmaceutical industry veteran, Mr. Lakavage has held a variety of US and international public policy and government affairs leadership roles for GlaxoSmithKline, Gilead Sciences, Chiron Corporation and Applied Biosystems. Prior to joining USP, Mr. Lakavage worked in the medical technology sector serving as Worldwide Vice President, Public Affairs, at Becton Dickinson. Earlier in his career, he worked for Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Mark Singel and Missouri Congressman Alan Wheat.
Mr. Lakavage earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree, cum laude, in International Politics from Saint Joseph’s University, and his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the Temple University School of Law–where he served on the Temple Political & Civil Rights Law Review staff. He is admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.Mr. Lakavage earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree, cum laude, in International Politics from Saint Joseph’s University, and his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the Temple University School of Law–where he served on the Temple Political & Civil Rights Law Review staff. He is admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Rich Bendis was a speaker at the BioHealth Capital Region Forum last week to discuss the state of the BioHealth industry in the capital region and benchmark our region against the top regions in the United States.
Report Unveils Region’s Position Among Other BioHealth/Tech Hotbeds Across the Country as Local Leaders Drive Towards Placement as Top Biotech Hub by 2023
The Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore (EAGB) and BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) officially released the BioHealth Innovation Index for Central Maryland at the Second Annual Regional BioTech Forum, which took place April 18 and 19 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Index is a comprehensive analysis of the biohealth industry highlighting the region’s strengths, along with those areas that present opportunity for economic growth.
The Index will serve as a guide for the continued development of Maryland’s booming biohealth region, by pinpointing key opportunities for future growth to accelerate the region to the top three biotech hubs in the U.S. by 2023.
According to BHI CEO Rich Bendis, who also serves on the Governor of Maryland’s Life Sciences Advisory Board, “This index both confirms the region’s standing, while also shedding light on what it will take to raise our spot among the top three biotech/biohealth hotbeds in the country. Our region is attracting new and innovative companies at unprecedented speeds. This Index reflects such innovation occurring in Greater Baltimore and Central Maryland, and provides a platform on which to develop a strategic analysis relevant to other U.S. markets such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham, San Diego and San Francisco.”
EDA’s 2015 Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program Recognizes BHI for Trademark Method in Commercializing Biotech and Health Tech
WASHINGTON, DC and ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, February 18, 2016 – BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI), a leader in commercializing market-relevant science and technology, has been awarded a grant of $495,000 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) through the 2015 Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) program. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced the award earlier this month.
Judges in the RIS program evaluated more than 170 applications across two competitions: the i6 Challenge and the Seed Fund Support Grants competition. In total, $10 million was awarded to 25 of the applicant programs. Begun in 2010 as part of the Startup Ameriaca Initiative, the competition is now in its fifth year. This year’s i6 program applicants were evaluated for their ability to scale innovative science and technology through assembling sophisticated supportive structures in regional communities that a company or organization works. BHI’s entry was for the expansion of its Venture Commercialization Model (V-COMM).
“The expansion of V-COMM into the biohealth and biotechnology markets in Maryland is pivotal to the growth of our economy both nationally and regionally,” said Richard Bendis, BHI President and CEO. “We want to thank the EDA and the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship—particularly Julie Lenzer—for recognizing our innovative achievements to drive biohealth/tech development through this substantial grant.”
“This award to BioHealth Innovation is yet another indicator of the excellent work the organization is doing and of the vitality of the biohealth and biotech sectors in Montgomery County,” said County Executive Isiah Leggett. “Commercialization of technology is the linchpin that transforms ideas into businesses and benefits for the public. I congratulate BHI on this award and look forward to more great work from it.”
V-COMM is designed to drive technology development and develop entrepreneurial practices in the areas of medical technology, vaccines, and bioHealth cybersecurity within the biohealth industry of Maryland. V-COMM’s expansion from this grant will enable BHI to review a greater number of technologies, and help to spur the development of new companies, while raising capital, and creating jobs.
“We are thrilled to have BioHealth Innovation as a partner in actively growing our biohealth economy,” said Councilmember Nancy Floreen. “This new EDA grant represents the fabulous work BHI is doing on a regional basis.”
“This 2015 Regional Innovation Strategy cohort of grantees is truly an exciting group – the diversity in programs and regional representation proves that innovation and entrepreneurship are igniting all corners of the country,” Assistant Secretary Williams said. “From Puerto Rico to Pittsburgh, and Seattle to Blacksburg, these programs will reach all kinds of communities and help entrepreneurs gain the edge they need to succeed.”
About BioHealth Innovation, Inc.
BioHealth Innovation, Inc., is a regional innovation intermediary focused on commercializing market-relevant bio-health innovations and increasing access to early-stage funding in Maryland. BHI is known for providing commercial assistance to scientists and founders, educating and infusing Maryland’s life science community with new and young entrepreneurs and fueling startups within Central Maryland’s bio-ecosystem by connecting young companies to funding and business resources. Learn more at www.biohealthinnovation.org.
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Media contact:
BioHealth Innovation, Maryland, USA
Rich Bendis, President & CEO, Phone: 301-637-6439, e-mail: rbendis@biohealthinnovation.org
Corvidia Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on the development of precision cardiovascular therapies, announced today that it has raised $26 million in a Series A financing, co-led by seed-investor Sofinnova Partners, and Apple Tree Partners.
Concurrent with the financing, Corvidia has licensed a clinical stage compound from AstraZeneca to develop and commercialize as its lead therapeutic (COR-001). Funds from the Series A financing will be used to progress COR-001 into Phase I/II clinical trials during 2016, as well as to advance the company’s preclinical pipeline.
