BioHealth Innovation Weekly for June 4, 2024

Trouble Viewing This Email: Click Here

June 4, 2024

Advancing Biotech: Insights from Michael J. Tarlov, Chief of the Biomolecular Measurement Division at NIST on BioTalk

Join us for an enlightening episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, featuring Michael J. Tarlov, Chief of the Biomolecular Measurement Division at the Material Measurement Laboratory, NIST. With a distinguished career in analytical chemistry and extensive experience in biochemical sensing and bioprocess measurements, Michael leads critical initiatives to advance biotechnology and healthcare.

In this episode, we delve into the pivotal role of NIST as a non-regulatory agency within the Department of Commerce, highlighting its profound impact on measurement science, gene therapy, gene editing, synthetic biology, and regenerative medicine. Michael shares insights into NIST's collaborations, including local companies like MedImmune/AstraZeneca and Novavax, and the importance of partnerships with academic institutions like the University of Maryland in driving local biotech advancements.

Listen now via:

Innovators Wanted: Secure Federal Funding with BioHealth Innovation's Help

Did you know? Each year, the federal government dedicates around $3.6 billion towards SBIR and STTR programs, resulting in awards to over 5,000 innovative projects!

The next deadline for NIH SBIR/STTR proposals is September 5th. As an innovation intermediary, BioHealth Innovation (BHI) is here to help you secure federal funding.

If you're seeking assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to Jon Nelson at JNelson@BioHealthInnovation.org. Let's innovate together!

BioHealth Innovation Inc. Celebrates miRecule’s Triumph at INVEST Pitch Perfect

At BioHealth Innovation Inc. (BHI), we are happy to celebrate the achievements of our partner company, miRecule, which has recently been named a winner at the INVEST Pitch Perfect competition. miRecule's innovative approach to RNA therapies represents a significant advance in the treatment of cancer and muscular dystrophy. By leveraging genomic data to design highly specific therapeutics, miRecule stands at the forefront of personalized medicine, underscoring our commitment to supporting ground-breaking healthcare solutions.

This recognition is not just a win for miRecule; it's a testament to the power of strategic partnerships and the impact of innovative biotechnological advances in addressing complex health challenges. BHI is proud to be associated with pioneers like miRecule, as we continue to foster a thriving ecosystem that brings revolutionary treatments from the lab to the patients who need them most.

Linshom Medical Receives $100K MIPS award and Launches Clinical Study with Univ. of Maryland School of Medicine Faculty

BALTIMORE, MD, US, May 29, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Linshom Medical, a Maryland-based startup developing a wearable respiratory monitoring system, announced today that it has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program to support a clinical study of its respiratory monitoring device.

The study, “Advanced Prediction of Respiratory Depression Episodes with Linshom Continuous Predictive Respiratory Monitoring (CPRM),” will evaluate the Linshom Medical device's ability for early detection of patient respiratory decline in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit. Dr. Samuel M. Galvagno, Executive Vice Chair of Anesthesiology and Interim Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, will lead this effort for UMSOM as the principal investigator.

Precision for Medicine Acquires Algorics, Enhancing Clinical Technologies and APAC Presence

The acquisition adds two proprietary clinical technologies to its portfolio and enhances Precision's global capabilities in clinical data management, biostatistics and programming.

BETHESDA, Maryland, May 29 – Precision for Medicine, a global leader in biomarker-driven clinical research and development supporting life sciences companies, today announced the acquisition of Algorics, one of the fastest-growing clinical technologies and biometrics service providers to the biopharma industry. The addition of Algorics brings two innovative clinical technologies and further bolsters Precision for Medicine’s reach in the Asia-Pacific region. The acquisition also enhances Precision's global capabilities in clinical data management, biostatistics, and programming.

Frederick's Theradaptive Secures $1M in Funding from Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund for Human Clinical Trials

FREDERICK, Md., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Theradaptive, Inc., a regenerative medicine company developing targeted therapeutics, announced today it has been awarded funding from the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) to support human clinical trials for its lead product, OsteoAdapt SP. OsteoAdapt SP is currently in Phase I/II clinical studies for transforaminal lumbar interbody spinal fusion (TLIF) to treat degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and retrolisthesis.

Theradaptive was granted an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) in January 2024 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin its human clinical trial. This $1 million award from the MSCRF Clinical Program will enable Theradaptive to expand its OASIS human clinical study to sites in Maryland. More details can be found at ClinicalTrials.gov: identifier NCT06154005. Theradaptive also holds three Breakthrough Medical Device designations for various spine indications including TLIF, ALIF, and PLF.

Alda Mizaku named chief data and artificial intelligence officer at Children’s National Hospital

Washington, D.C., June 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Children’s National Hospital is pleased to welcome Alda Mizaku in a newly established role of vice president and chief data and artificial intelligence officer (CDAIO). In this role, Mizaku will lead the execution of enterprise data, analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) strategy at Children’s National.

Mizaku has a track record of leading initiatives with measurable organizational value, from reducing unnecessary length of stay to enhancing operational efficiency and patient outcomes. Prior to joining Children’s National, Mizaku spent 11 years working for Mercy Health System in St. Louis, where she served in various roles, including executive director of Data Engineering and Analytics, and vice president of Analytics Product Management.

AMPEL BioSolutions Building Evidence for Prognostic Potential of Lupus Molecular Subtyping Test

NEW YORK – AMPEL BioSolutions is recruiting individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) into an observational study of its blood-based prognostic gene expression assay LuGene to demonstrate a correlation between test results and standard clinical evaluations.

In addition, the company has been conducting a study to see whether different lupus subtypes as defined by its test correlate with therapeutic response.

These studies follow another one published in October in the journal Genome Medicine that showed evidence for eight transcriptionally defined SLE endotypes, or subgroups, and demonstrated LuGENE’s ability to predict patients at risk for episodes of worsening symptoms called flares with high sensitivity and specificity.

ATCC Announces Award from NIAID to Provide Antiviral Screening Assays Relevant to Human Diseases

MANASSAS, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ATCC, the world’s premier biological materials management and standards organization, today announced that it has been awarded a task order with a ceiling value of $15.5 million, inclusive of base and options, by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Under this task order 75N93019D00002-75N93024F00001, ATCC will develop well-characterized challenge material (WCCM) for the In Vitro Assessment for Antimicrobial Activity (IVAAA) program. This program aims to evaluate candidate countermeasures against microbial pathogens and vectors, including those derived from clinical specimens. The assessments are conducted in vitro and focus on antiviral screening assays for biosafety level (BSL)-3/4 viruses relevant to human diseases, as well as other rapidly emerging viruses that employ similar assay methodologies.

Due to the rise in countermeasures requiring the use of well-characterized viral stocks for animal studies and human clinical trials, researchers are examining the potential impact of cell substrates on the genetic stability and quality of progeny virus following serial propagation. In mammalian cells, serially propagating viruses can lead to rapid increases in genetic variants and instability, which have been shown to impact the interpretation of data from animal studies as well as from clinical trials. Ensuring the genomic homogeneity of WCCM, as well as improving the production capacity of WCCM used in drug screening studies, is essential for therapeutic drug development.

New TEDCO Study Outlines Steps for Developing Maryland’s Cybersecurity Workforce

COLUMBIA, Md., (May 29, 2024) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, unveiled the recently completed “Cybersecurity Workforce Analysis and Study” (“Study”). The Study was commissioned by TEDCO to better understand the current status of Maryland’s cybersecurity workforce pipeline. This knowledge will be used to guide the Cyber Maryland Program (“Program”) and its 18-member board of directors as they develop a statewide cybersecurity workforce development strategic plan.

“The Study confirms what businesses and government agencies in Maryland already know: demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals—who protect our communities from criminals threatening our way of life—is incredibly nuanced. Thankfully, there is support and momentum amongst key stakeholders to bridge our talent gap,” said Roger Austin, chair of the Cyber Maryland board of directors. “My fellow board members and I are committed to address this critical need by developing innovative solutions to overcome our cyber skills talent gaps and provide good, paying jobs for our state’s residents.”