BioHealth Innovation Weekly for March 5, 2024

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March 5, 2024

TEDCO Announces SSBCI Investment in Linshom Medical

Maryland company continues toward goal of supporting improved patient safety

COLUMBIA, Md. (February 29, 2024) – TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced a recent $400,000 investment into Linshom Medical, Inc., a medical device company developing an innovative wearable sensor technology to support patient respiratory monitoring. This recent investment came in two parts – $250,000 from the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funding and $150,000 from the Venture Funds – and was done in conjunction with Abell Foundation.

TEDCO’s SSBCI funds were provided after the State of Maryland chose TEDCO to be one of the various stewards of this essential funding, allowing for more investments in target communities and areas with small, micro and Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI) businesses. Click here to learn more.

Gain Therapeutics Announces the Initiation of the Multiple Ascending Dose (MAD) Part of the Phase 1 Clinical Trial of GT-02287, a Novel GCase-targeting Small Molecule Therapy for GBA1 Parkinson’s Disease

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gain Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GANX) (“Gain”, or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leading the discovery and development of the next generation of allosteric small molecule therapies, announces the initiation of the Multiple Ascending Dose (MAD) part of the Phase 1 clinical trial of GT-02287, Gain’s lead drug candidate for the treatment of GBA1 Parkinson’s disease.

Based on the safety and tolerability profile observed in the Single Ascending Dose (SAD) cohorts of the study, the Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) in Australia approved the start of the MAD part of the study in parallel with the completion of the last SAD cohorts. Following the HREC approval, administration of GT-02287 in the MAD part of the study has been initiated.

ATCC and Tissue Dynamics Announce a Strategic Collaboration to Bring a Transformative Heart Organoid Model to Market

MANASSAS, Va. & TEL AVIV, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ATCC, the world’s premier biological materials management and standards organization, and Tissue Dynamics, a disruptive pharma-tech company integrating advanced artificial intelligence tools with bionic human organoids, today announced a partnership to develop workflow friendly cardiac organoids-based kits for improved cardiac safety testing in drug development. The collaboration will be done under the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD) framework, which awarded both companies a two-year grant. The BIRD Foundation, established in 1977, bolsters transformative partnerships that stimulate, promote, and support industrial research and development in a wide range of technology sectors.

BioBuzz's 10 Women in the Life Sciences That You Should Know in the BioHealth Capital Region

In honor of Women’s History Month, which kicks off today, we wanted to highlight 10 incredible women making a mark in the life sciences in the BioHealth Capital Region. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Arti Santhanam, Executive Director, Emerging Technology Centers (ETC)
Dr. Arti Santhanam was recently appointed Executive Director of Emerging Technology Centers (ETC). While new to the role, Dr. Santhanam is a long-time player in the BioHealth Capital Region.

Dr. Santhanam’s contributions over the last decade at TEDCO, especially within her role in the Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII), have been instrumental in fostering Maryland’s diverse and innovative ecosystem. Established in 2012, MII has invested $52.3M, resulting in 176 startups from notable universities like Johns Hopkins, the University of Maryland, and Morgan.

In her new role, she’ll be introducing a new public-private operational model enhancing support for Baltimore’s tech entrepreneurs, activating her extensive expertise in startup leadership, venture capital, and life sciences.

Prior to TEDCO, Dr. Santhanam worked in global health at MITRE Corporation and in private consulting, collaborating with USAMRIID and ECBC. Dr. Santhanam earned her Master’s in Clinical Biochemistry from the University of Madras, India, and a PhD in Microbiology from Rutgers University, NJ, followed by a postdoc at the National Cancer Institute. She’s held roles on METAvivor Research and Support, Inc.’s Board and various Maryland advisory boards, demonstrating her leadership in health and innovation.

Chandra Briggman, CEO, Activation Capital
Chandra Briggman is President and CEO of Activation Capital, a leading innovation ecosystem development organization providing social, knowledge, and financial capital to tech clusters across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Before being named the CEO in May 2020, Briggman was Director of Venture Café Foundation located in Cambridge, MA, and was responsible for the strategy and operations of the global network’s flagship Venture Café Cambridge innovation hub. She played a key role in helping expand the revenue and the footprint in New England. Before her work in ecosystem development in Massachusetts, she held innovation roles with the United States Postal Service in Washington, D.C., culminating with her work as the Director of Digital Platforms and the Innovation Lab. Her prior experience comprised leadership roles with multiple startups, including Founder as a serial entrepreneur.

Click here to keep reading via BioBuzz.

Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) Announces BioBoost Series (March 20, 2024)

Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) is set to launch its first BioBoost series on March 20, 2024, in Rockville, MD. This pioneering event, titled "The Future of Bio/Life Science Funding in 2024," promises to be a cornerstone for professionals in the bio/life science sector. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to delve into the latest investment trends, overcome industry challenges, and discover new funding opportunities through insightful discussions led by esteemed industry experts.

Three Congressional Letters Show the March-In Debate Has Shifted

When the Biden Administration unleashed its proposed march-in guidelines last December, it claimed they would be a powerful tool for lowering drug prices by allowing the government to “march in” to license copiers under the authorities of the Bayh-Dole Act.

It did so despite previously joining every other Administration denying price control petitions as not authorized under the law. It should have known the proposal would have minimal impact on drug prices—but would have a devastating impact on American innovation. That’s because the guidelines apply to all federal R&D agencies—not just the National Institutes of Health — so they cover inventions across the spectrum, not just the life sciences.

Cartesian Therapeutics Establishes New Corporate Headquarters and State-of-the-Art mRNA Cell Therapy cGMP Manufacturing Facility in Frederick, Maryland

New facility expected to support expanded cGMP manufacturing of clinical and commercial supply of Company’s pipeline of mRNA cell therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases

GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNAC), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering mRNA cell therapy for autoimmune diseases, today announced its plans to transition its corporate headquarters to Frederick, Maryland. The approximately 20,000 square foot state-of-the-art current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) compliant facility has clinical and commercial manufacturing scale capabilities designed to support the Company's maturing pipeline of innovative mRNA cell therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.