The MVR Company (MVR) and Engineered Medical Systems, Inc. (EMS) announced today that they have executed a lease to occupy space at the City Garage in Port Covington. The location will be used for a medical device manufacturing operation and a business development accelerator to support the State’s emerging growth medical technology companies.

Engineered Medical Systems manufactures medical products for their proprietary line, and provides private label and OEM contracts to distribution teams and other medical device companies. Their current facilities operate out of Indianapolis, IN, and Penang, Malaysia. For several years, MVR and EMS have been in discussions regarding the possibility of placing a medical device manufacturing operation in Baltimore to support the growing Medtech ecosystem in the State of Maryland. EMS will produce proprietary and contract products in the new facility and is in discussions with several out of state companies that are interested in producing in the new location. The facility will be known as The Factory™, consistent with the focus of City Garage to develop new capabilities for Baltimore in high value manufactured products. Brad Quinn, Co-President of EMS and Director of Operations, commented “We have been intrigued by the vibrancy of the clinical and innovation atmosphere in Maryland, and have in fact had several productive relationships in the past with researchers and physicians from the area. We view this as a timely opportunity to engage more deeply with the medical device community in greater Baltimore and Maryland.”

Machfu, an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) company leading the way in the development of an edge intelligence platform for IIoT, announced that it has raised $1.6 million in the first round of institutional financing. This investment, led by Blu Venture Investors, will allow the company to accelerate its successes in the Smart Grid and Smart Water markets, and expand its footprint in the oil and gas industry. The company has also recently received financing from Maryland’s TEDCO and other angel investors.

TEDCO’s 7th Annual Entrepreneur Expo will bring together all of Maryland’s entrepreneurial resources from across the state into one place, at one time.

You can expect to see 700+ of the region’s top entrepreneurs, small and large business executives, angel and venture capital investors, federal and state economic development officials, university leaders and legislators.

Gaithersburg's 3iDx will pitch to investors at next month's BIO Investor Forum in San Francisco.  Help the BioHealth Capital Region and 3iDx gain more visibility by voting for them to be a featured company, "The Buzz of BIO," at this conference. Voting runs daily through Friday, September 1st. You may vote once a day, every day of this week to provide a total of 4 votes.  Click here and select 3i Diagnostics under Diagnostics and Beyond.

Biotech/Health execs play  for a small $50 donation in the tournament that will benefit Zaching Against Cancer Foundation organization.

Welcome to the 2017 Biotech / Health Invitational, a DogDenGolf managed event that is being supported by top executives at Medimmune, other Biotechnology / Health companies and Vendors in the region. This year's event will be held on October 23, 2017, at Cattail Creek Country Club in Glenwood, MD and will determine the Biotech / Health Executive Golfers of the Year.   

Proceeds from this event will benefit Zaching Against Cancer Foundation (ZACF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation established to provide support to cancer patients and their support networks through scholarships, research and outreach. Money raised by ZACF goes toward several college scholarships, an internship and donation to cancer research and outreach organizations.

For more information, visit their websites at  www.zachingagainstcancer.org.

Host:  UM BioPark & Wexford Science + Technology

Location:  UM BioPark 801 W. Baltimore Street, Patio, Weather permitting Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Time:  5:00pm to 6:30pm

Please join the BioPark's Monthly Networking Event. Mingle with BioPark tenants, and UMB faculty and staff.

The European Commission (EC), the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have signed a new confidentiality commitment that allows the US regulator to share non-public and commercially confidential information, including trade secret information relating to medicine inspections with EU regulators. This confidentiality commitment is a milestone in the ongoing implementation of the mutual recognition of inspections of medicine manufacturers and it aims to strengthen the EU-US relationship. Ultimately it will contribute to a more efficient use of inspection resources by regulators for the protection of human and animal health.

The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) announced today that its board of directors elected four new Executive Officers. The officers will serve for one year. “Providing the right tools and resources to Maryland’s entrepreneurs is vital to strengthening our workforce and ensuring that our state is open for business,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “I would like to congratulate the new executive officers of TEDCO as they work to guide Maryland’s growing number of innovators, entrepreneurs, and start-up companies to achieve even greater successes.”

REGENXBIO Inc. (Nasdaq:RGNX) and Dimension Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:DMTX) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which REGENXBIO will acquire Dimension in an all-stock transaction for an implied value of approximately $3.41 per share. The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction.

As digital healthcare completes its migration to a mobile-centric world, profound innovations are moving full speed ahead toward solutions that aid in chronic care diagnosis, treatment, and management. “There’s a lot of noise—activities, press releases, and investments—and a lot of partnerships going on in digital health,” says Kevin McRaith, chief executive officer of WellDoc.

WellDoc, a digital health company based in Columbia, Md., is an active participant in several such key partnerships. The Columbia, Md.–based company was founded by an endocrinologist with her vision to create an engaging, effective digital health solution for adults with type 2 diabetes. More than a decade later, WellDoc has established itself as a leader in the field of digital health

Following a ceremonial signing with U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao for the federal government’s $900 million Full-Funding Grant Agreement, Governor Larry Hogan started demolition to make way for the new Purple Line Operations Center and begin construction on the long-awaited Purple Line. Governor Hogan and Secretary Chao were joined by Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Pete K. Rahn, MDOT Maryland Transit Administrator Kevin Quinn, Purple Line Transit Partners officials, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Anthony Brown, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, as well as other state and local elected officials and Purple Line advocates. The Purple Line light rail project will run from New Carrollton in Prince George’s County to Bethesda in Montgomery County.

A company that creates vaccines is expanding in Gatihersburg and adding to the quickly growing bio-technology industry in Montgomery County.  

Gaithersburg's Altimmune just announced that the company will expand to a new, 14,000 square foot building.

Gliknik Inc. today announced that clinicians have enrolled and dosed the first of 80 patients in the company’s phase 2 clinical trial assessing the efficacy and safety of biropepimut-S (GL-0817), an immunomodulatory therapeutic targeting the prevention of recurrence of squamous cell cancer of the oral cavity in patients at high risk of recurrence after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

“We are pleased to enroll the first patient in this phase 2 trial of biropepimut-S, which will further our understanding of the potential role of this advanced-design cancer vaccine with immune enhancing adjuvants in high-risk oral cavity cancer,” said Jeff Herpst, Senior Director of Clinical Development at Gliknik.

Innovative renewable energy, biotechnology, and information research is conducted in our community every day at the Frederick Innovative Technology Center (FITCI).

The Fort Detrick Alliance, which serves as a community partner and liaison to the five federal agencies located at Fort Detrick, will partner with FITCI on September 6, for its 9th Annual FITCI Technology Showcase.

In conjunction with the event, FITCI will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Biotech Shared Lab. Attendees will tour the new lab and meet FITCI entrepreneurial businesses professionals. Dr. Kenneth Bertram, Principal Assistant for Acquisition, US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command at Fort Detrick, the keynote speaker, will speak about research advancements.

Paige Decker is the Manager of External Relations and Alliance Development at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). Upon her arrival at BIO, she contributed to the inaugural launch and content creation of BIOAction, BIO’s grassroots advocacy tool. She is a former staffer of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where she worked alongside Chairman Fred Upton and Chairman Greg Walden during her tenure. She is a graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a B.A. in English.

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization, represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

BIOAction’s primary mission is to engage the biotech community to use their voice against harmful policies that deter from the progress of innovation. Critical to this success is connecting biotechnology company employees and enthusiasts in the discussion with their elected officials at the federal, state and municipal level. BIOAction allows constituents to let their voice be heard in just a few clicks.

Paige will be discussing the importance of fostering and educating advocates for biotechnology; why they must lend their voice to balance the public policy debate by sharing their own stories and debunking the many myths and misinformation told about their innovation.

Q&A WITH JONATHAN GENN FOR VIVA WHITE OAK

We recently spoke to Jonathan Genn, Executive Vice President & General Counsel for Percontee, Inc. & Global LifeSci Development Corporation, about the Viva White Oak, a public-private partnership between Global LifeSci Development Corporation, an affiliate of Percontee, Inc., and Montgomery County to build a global state-of-the-art life sciences center in eastern Montgomery County.

AN INTERVIEW WITH GSK’S CHRISTOPHER MADDOX, DIRECTOR OF SITE OPERATIONS MOCONNECT 

Recently interviewed GSK’s Christopher Maddox, Director of Site Operations for The Slaoui Center for Vaccines Research in Rockville. The company made news when it selected Rockville to serve as its U.S. R&D Center, furthering strengthening Montgomery County as a major player in global healthcare.

Pfizer’s interest in developing innovative ways to solve some of the current challenges with healthcare have spanned drug development to early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. A collaboration between the pharma company and Drexel University is using a variation on the Minecraft video game to improve health literacy and reduce the anxiety children and their caregivers might have of managing hemophilia, according to a news release.

Maryland Technology Development Corp.'s board of directors elected four new executive officers, including a new chairman.

Francis Smyth, CEO Century Engineering, has been named chair. He replaces former chairman Newt Fowler, an attorney from Womble Carlyle, who will remain on the board.

Marriott is branching out from hotels into the world of travel experiences in an innovative collaboration between Accenture and Incubator 1776.

The Travel Experience Incubator is a 12-week programme commencing on 12 September which has already received 165 applicants, from which six will be selected to take part in an ideas competition.

Women Building Bio: the XX factor is a day long conference to recognize and learn from leading women in the bioscience industry as pioneers paving the path to success. These women have faced their own unique challenges and carved out lasting legacies.

This day will catalyze the formation of a diverse network. It is a convergence of academia and industry, men and women, researchers and innovators, professionals and decision-makers gathering together to build relationships. This day long conference provides extraordinary opportunities to exchange new ideas, highlight areas of bioscience and research opportunities, and find partners for future collaboration.

GlaxoSmithKline is scrapping more than 30 drug development programs. The major cull of pipeline prospects will see GSK focus 80% of its R&D budget on the top candidates in four therapeutic areas and potentially exit the rare disease space.

The Inova Personalized Health Accelerator (IPHA) announced today that health and biosciences industry veteran Michael Thomas has been appointed Director of the Accelerator. Prior to joining Inova, Michael was founder and CEO of Appian Partners, an Annapolis life sciences consulting practice. His med-tech experience has spanned several early stage, growth stage, and turn-around ventures as CEO of Appian Partners, ReGear Life Sciences, NuSomnea, Tanzen Medical, Mommy's Medicine Cabinet, Appian Medical, iSonea, and NovaSom. He also served on the board of directors for AdvaMed and Circadiance. He started his career in the pharmaceutical industry with Merck & Company and GlaxoSmithKline. Michael earned a BS in Microbiology from Cornell University.

In the run up to the inaugural Techweek Washington D.C., presented this year by AARP and held Oct. 2-6, Techweek today announced the Techweek100, honoring leading technology-focused firms in the D.C. area, as selected by an Executive Advisory Board comprised of 10 D.C.-based tech leaders.

A number of local movers and shakers with ties to Johns Hopkins have landed on the "40 Under 40" list published by the Baltimore Business Journal.

The journal's annual list takes note of "innovators, professionals, and entrepreneurs in Greater Baltimore who have already made great strides before the age of 40," including developers, CEOs, educators, and nonprofit founders. A Nov. 16 ceremony will celebrate this year's b

The Inova Personalized Health Accelerator (IPHA) announced today that health and biosciences industry veteran Michael Thomas has been appointed Director of the Accelerator. Prior to joining Inova, Michael was founder and CEO of Appian Partners, an Annapolis life sciences consulting practice. His med-tech experience has spanned several early stage, growth stage, and turn-around ventures as CEO of Appian Partners, ReGear Life Sciences, NuSomnea, Tanzen Medical, Mommy's Medicine Cabinet, Appian Medical, iSonea, and NovaSom. He also served on the board of directors for AdvaMed and Circadiance. He started his career in the pharmaceutical industry with Merck & Company and GlaxoSmithKline. Michael earned a BS in Microbiology from Cornell University.

Dimension Therapeutics has agreed to be acquired by RegenxBio, the gene therapy developer that originally helped form the company four years ago.

RegenxBio (NASDAQ: RGNX), based in Rockville, MD, will pay $3.41 per share in the all-stock deal valued at approximately $86 million. By comparison, Cambridge, MA-based Dimension (NASDAQ: DMTX) went public at $13 per share in 2015. Dimension’s closing stock price on Thursday was $1.20.

The academic biomedical research community is a hub of employment, economic productivity, and scientific progress. Academic research institutions are drivers of economic development in their local and state economies and, by extension, the national economy. Beyond the economic input that the academic biomedical research community both receives and provides, it generates knowledge that in turn affects society in myriad ways.

The 2018 FLC Awards is now open for nominations.  One of the most coveted honors in the technology transfer field, the FLC awards have been presented to over 200 federal laboratories since their inception in 1984. Many of our winning technology transfer efforts have gone on to become products and devices that are indispensable in our daily lives, including:

Inova Genomics Laboratory is thrilled to offer you our exclusive MediMap® PGx (pharmacogenomics) panel – as well as tests for up to two family members, if applicable at your event.

What is MediMap?

MediMap is a one-time genetic test that may indicate how a person will respond to some prescription medications. The test helps guide healthcare providers to better medication choices and doses for their patients. MediMap testing provides information to more effectively manage illnesses and improve patients' health. To learn more, please visit www.inova.org/MediMap.   What's involved?

All that's needed is a painless cheek swab, which we will conduct after you have registered by filling out the form below.

The PMatX Yavne incubator will serve Israeli startups and focus on next-generation electronics and advanced materials.

German pharmaceutical, life sciences and chemicals giant Merck Group today announced the founding of a technological innovation laboratory that will function as an incubator for startups in Israel. The incubator, to be called PMatX, will focus on next-generation electronics. The program will be supported by other partners, including printing solutions manufacturer HP and the Battery Ventures fund.

New York City’s existing 1.7 million s/f of life science and research space is currently fully occupied, pushing companies to establish outposts in Westchester County and New Jersey.

According to a report from brokerage firm Transwestern, New York City is facing space constraints as it hosts the highest concentration of academic institutions and the largest life science workforce in the country.

It’s a common trope that government has a lot to learn from Silicon Valley when it comes to technology. But in cybersecurity, Washington is leading the way in many respects.

When federal leaders and lawmakers praise industry’s tech savvy, they're usually talking about innovation, flexibility and speed to market. IT companies aren't burdened by a labyrinthine acquisition process. They can shift quickly when customers want something different, abandon failing efforts and push products out at the lowest cost.

DATE AND TIME: Tue, September 19, 20177:30 AM – 10:00 AM EDT

LOCATION: American Visionary Art Museum800 Key Highway JRVC 3rd Floor Baltimore, MD 21230

Already dubbed a ‘tech hub’, the Baltimore-Washington region has built a solid foundation in cyber activities as they pertain to government agencies and defense contracting. Now a transformation is underway to build up the commercial side of cyber. And that’s precisely what this panel will reinforce.

Cambridge headquartered AstraZeneca and its global biologics R & D arm MedImmune, plan to develop new therapies for respiratory disease through a five-year collaboration with Munich-based Ethris GmbH.

The Cambridge UK duo will pay Ethris €25 million upfront, plus research funding; Ethris is also eligible for future R & D milestones, including sales-related royalties on commercialisation.