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– Effort designed to help revolutionize access to genomic interpretation services in hospitals,
molecular diagnostics companies and academic medical centers throughout the U.S. –
ROCKVILLE AND BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, MARCH 25, 2014 – Strand Genomics Inc. (Strand) and BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) today announced a strategic partnership designed to expand the Strand Centers for Genomics & Personalized Medicine into the U.S. This effort is intended to help revolutionize access to genomic interpretation services in cardiovascular disease, oncology, rare diseases, and many other indications. Strand Genomics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Strand Life Sciences, a Bangalore, India-based bioinformatics, clinical genomics, and diagnostics company.
Strand operates clinical genomics and diagnostics laboratories in India that perform end-to-end clinical genomics services, such as testing and diagnostics, to healthcare systems in that country. Strand now provides diagnostic tests based on next-generation sequencing to more than 50 major hospitals in India. Strand is expanding globally and is actively seeking partnerships with hospitals, molecular diagnostic companies and academic medical centers looking to offer genomics-based diagnostics tests. In December 2013, Strand had announced its collaboration with El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, CA. BHI, a Maryland-based innovation intermediary, will be integral in supporting the market penetration of Strand’s services into the U.S. healthcare system by connecting Strand with key market channels, thus providing access to genomic services to more patients and healthcare providers.
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The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) announced today that 12 startup companies have advanced to the final round of the InvestMaryland Challenge, the State’s national business competition. The finalists are competing for $100,000 top prizes in four categories — Information Technology, Life Sciences, General Industry, and, new this year, Cybersecurity. All companies who entered the Challenge are eligible for more than $300,000 in other prizes, including grants, software and lab and incubator space. The winners will be announced in May.
“Congratulations to the finalists and all the companies that advanced in the InvestMaryland Challenge. To stand out from the field of 260 applicants is an achievement in itself and a testament to the strength of the companies competing for the top prizes,” said Dominick Murray, DBED Secretary. “For two years in a row, Maryland has been named the #1 state in the country for innovation and entrepreneurship and companies like those competing in this Challenge are the reason why. They are the future leaders of Maryland’s Innovation Economy and we are proud to support them as they grow and create jobs.”
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MedImmune, the global biologics R&D arm of AstraZeneca, is always enthusiastic about explaining how its science benefits patients’ lives. So taking part in Cambridge’s highly successful Science Festival, which finished last weekend, is a wonderful opportunity for the company to reach out and share its activities with the wider Cambridge community.
With many thousands of visitors, the Cambridge Science Festival provides the public with opportunities to explore and discuss topics of scientific interest and, importantly, is the perfect place to raise aspirations by encouraging young people to consider a career in science. Over both weekends of the Festival, firstly in the Corn Exchange and then at the Clinical School at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, over 35 MedImmune scientists volunteered their time to demonstrate to a continual stream of visitors to understand how new antibody medicines are found using viruses which grow in bacteria.
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Reading the cover story of last week’s Capital Business (“Educating tomorrow’s entrepreneurs”) echoed what I had seen at the recent South by Southwest Edu conference, where I took part in a panel called “Student Startups: The Ultimate Educational Experience.”
I was intrigued when I realized the audience for the panel was nearly 75 percent K-12 educators — not the higher ed audience I and the other panelists were expecting. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so surprised. The piqued interest for primary and secondary educators is exciting and encouraging, especially from where I sit.
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Tech Council of MD presents a Bioscience Networking Reception April 3 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. with Christopher P. Austin, M.D., Director, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.
Don't miss this enhanced networking reception with leaders from the Mid-Atlantic region's life science community followed by a brief overview of the National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) from Dr. Christopher Austin. Learn about NCATS' goals and plans to collaborate with the local life science community.
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The University of Maryland kicked off today its third annual 30 Days of EnTERPreneurship, a month-long celebration of the university's fearless ideas, innovation and impact.
"The University of Maryland has long been a pioneer in entrepreneurship and a leader in research and academic innovation. And in recent years, the university has put even greater, campus-wide emphasis on preparing faculty, students and staff to tackle the world's toughest problems through innovation and entrepreneurship. Our '30 Days of EnTERPreneurship' highlights and celebrates that commitment across all schools," says Dean Chang, UMD's associate vice president for innovation and entrepreneurship.
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RuiYi, Inc. announced today a $15 million Series B financing by existing investors: 5AM Ventures, Versant Ventures, Apposite Capital, SR One, the independent corporate healthcare venture capital fund of GlaxoSmithKline, Merck Serono Ventures, the strategic corporate venture fund of Merck Serono, and Aravis SA. RuiYi has a pipeline of innovative monoclonal antibodies to previously untargeted G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) for important global, therapeutic needs. The financing will support the continued development of RuiYi's lead asset, RYI-008, a novel anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody (mAb), and the discovery and development of new therapeutic mAbs targeting GPCRs, including a first-in-class mAb to cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB-1), a commercially validated but previously intractable drug target. In addition, RuiYi expanded the leadership team, appointing Erik Karrer, Ph.D. as chief scientific officer and Brian Campion, Ph.D. as vice president of business development.
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The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a new round of funding for the Innovation Corps Sites (I-Corps Sites) Program. Housed at institutions of higher education, I-Corps Sites are intended to:
- Nurture students and/or faculty who are engaged in NSF-funded research projects with commercial potential;
- Provide infrastructure, advice, resources, networking opportunities, training and funding to enable groups to transition their scientific and engineering discoveries into the marketplace or into becoming I-Corps Team applicants;
- Support and mentor I-Corps Teams; and,
- Develop formal, active, local innovation ecosystems that contribute to a larger, national network of mentors, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors.
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15-month, global online program combines academics with new web-based incubator
The University of Maryland, a national leader in entrepreneurship education and venture creation, today announces it will offer a new master's degree program in technology entrepreneurship starting this fall.
The 30-credit, 15-month Master of Technology Entrepreneurship, available online to current and aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide, features the university's most advanced and comprehensive entrepreneurship curriculum to date, taking students from concept development and prototyping to business model generation and customer validation, as well as legal aspects of entrepreneurship, financial and innovation management, and effective growth strategies.
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GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorisation for its once-weekly diabetes treatment, Eperzan® (albiglutide). Eperzan is indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, to improve glucose control as:
- Monotherapy, when diet and exercise alone do not provide adequate glycaemic control in patients for whom the use of metformin is considered inappropriate due to contraindications or intolerance1
- Add-on combination therapy, in combination with other glucose-lowering medicinal products, including basal insulin, when these, together with diet and exercise, do not provide adequate glycaemic control.1
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The Tech Council of Maryland (TCM), Maryland’s largest technology trade association for life science and technology, today announced that individuals from IBM, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals and the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) were named to the board of directors.
“The Tech Council of Maryland is very pleased to welcome our newest directors to the board,” said Phil Schiff, TCM’s CEO. “These individuals bring expertise in technology, life science and higher education that will enhance the depth and breadth of TCM’s leadership.”
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MIPS provides funding, matched by participating companies, for university research projects that help companies develop new technology products.
Benefits to Maryland Companies
- Cost-effective research with world-class university faculty
- Access to university students, state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories and equipment
- Non-dilutive, non-debt funding for research
- Opportunity to work directly with talented students—potential future hires
- Rapid proposal evaluations—MIPS notifies award winners within 60 days of the proposal deadline
Benefits to Maryland Faculty
- Research translates directly to new product development
- Potential for published papers and improved university facilities
- Students gain valuable experience working on commercial technologies
Visit www.mips.umd.edu or call 301.405.3891 for details.
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY MAY 1, 2014!
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Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube, will address graduates of Johns Hopkins University at commencement on May 22, 2014.
Named one of Fortune's "50 Most Powerful Women in Business," one of Forbes' "100 Most Powerful Women," and one of Vanity Fair's 50 "leading innovators [that] shake the foundations of their industries," Wojcicki became head of the video-sharing powerhouse earlier this year.
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Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley will address the University of Maryland graduates at spring commencement on Thursday, May 22, the campus announced Tuesday.
Students announced the second-term governor would be speaking by posting a photo on social media of O’Malley with Testudo, the university's mascot.
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Doctors and Life Science Professionals: Invest in what you know!
Wednesday, April 9, 2014 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
The original idea for the subtitle of this meeting was “doctors don’t have to be bad investors!” Doctors have the resources to invest, but often lack the time or expertise needed to evaluate investment opportunities.
However, with healthcare now the fastest growing sector of the economy, physicians are uniquely positioned to use their knowledge to invest wisely and achieve great returns. Additionally, with all the recent SEC changes, new approaches to investing, such as crowd equity, bring opportunities to take part in investing like never before. Therefore, for doctors, it starts with investing in what you know!
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May 9th, 10:30am - Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development is pleased to announce Karen Zuckerman, Chief Creative Director and President of HZDG, as keynote speaker for the 2014 Montgomery County Small Business Awards on May 9.
Ms. Zuckerman leads both the creative and the corporate vision of HZDG, the agency she launched from her basement in the late 1980s. More than 20 years later, the company has more than 100 employees and offices in Rockville and New York. The agency’s client list includes the Washington Redskins, Bozzuto and Brooks Brothers.
Come hear Ms. Zuckerman’s insights into lessons learned as she grew her business and why Montgomery County has been a great place to grow.
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The CyberMontgomery Forum was developed jointly by The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development and the Federal Business Council (FBC) in conjunction with leaders from federal and local government agencies, industry and academia.
Cybersecurity will be a major growth engine in the region for many years to come. With solid federal government, industry and academic assets already in place in the region, there is still a need to bring them together so that they can coalesce and elevate the cyber ecosystem to a level of national prominence. CyberMontgomery Forum events will provide clear direction on finding business opportunities, contracting, forecasted demand areas, workforce development, recruiting & staffing, legal responsibilities for businesses, updates on technologies being developed in MoCo and summary updates regarding our NCCoE neighbors, federal civilian agencies and commercial sector leaders.
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Who?
A conference and career fair for current postdoctoral fellows working in Washington, D.C. area federal labs and universities, and for companies recruiting high-level S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) professionals.
What?
This event exposes area postdoctoral fellows in the S.T.E.M. fields to the many career options (e.g., government, private sector, entrepreneurship) that are available to them.
The career fair portion connects local job-seeking postdocs with companies seeking that level of talent.
When & Where?
Bethesda North Marriott / Montgomery County Conference Center 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville, MD 20852
April 24, 2014
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Watch this space for more information about the next event.
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MedCity News, writing about DreamIt Ventures, notes the venture capital firm specializing in incubation and seed investments is calling for applications for DreamIt Health Philadelphia in an environment where more and more applicants are developing smartphone diagnostic tools. “This trend in mHealth devices is prompting a shift in how DreamIt characterizes the accelerator to include not just health IT to health tech. It also wants startups to be more aware of regulatory requirements.”
Elliot Menschik, managing partner for healthcare with DreamIt Health, told MedCity News that DreamIt needs to educate its class members specifically about FDA guidelines and regulatory requirements concerning mobile health settings. “More and more, we will see companies that need to [know how to] navigate the FDA in an mHealth setting,” he said. “We ask them, ‘Have you thought about how the FDA will treat this?’ It’s a big, eye-opening experience for them. But we’re in a much better position to help those companies than ever.”
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The size of angel financing rounds in the healthcare industry grew last year, although the share of all angel deals focused on healthcare stayed about the same.
Silicon Valley Bank, the Angel Resource Institute and CB Insights are out with their 2013 Halo Report today looking back at last year’s trends. The data showed deals rebounding from a dip in 2012 and becoming increasingly valuable.
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Cardiovascular disease accounts for 52% of female deaths and 42% of male deaths in the EU. Approximately four million people in Europe and 1.9 million people in the EU die of cardiovascular disease each year, according to the European Society of Cardiology. Cardiovascular disease and strokes are usually caused by high levels of bad cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.
The European Society for Cardiology (ESC) and the European Heart Network (EHN) estimate the cost to the EU economy at over €196 billion per year, with healthcare expenditure varying from 4% in Luxembourg to 17% in Estonia, Latvia and Poland.
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This Request for Information (RFI) solicits input from the public regarding interagency research awards via competitive grants, contracts, or other vehicles provided by a Federal agency to a researcher at a Federal laboratory that is managed, owned, or operated by another Federal agency. Applicable research awards include extramural research awards awarded to intramural researchers in Federal laboratories. Federal laboratories include Government-Owned, Government-Operated laboratories (GOGOs) and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). Research awards pay for research projects and supporting resources, including the salaries of the principal investigators. The public input provided in response to this Notice will inform the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) as it works with Federal agencies and other stakeholders to develop best practices for agencies.
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As the health care industry undergoes some of the most dramatic change in its history, data and innovation are key to its future.
That's the message U.S. Department of Health and Human Services CTO and Entrepreneur-in-Residence Bryan Sivak delivered Wednesday morning at a Nashville Health Care Council briefing. Sivak, who has several entrepreneurial ventures on his resume, briefed the attendees on HHS' IDEA Lab, a project that stands for Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship and Action.
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Contract research organizations make good money providing critical services to young biotech and drug development companies early on. But often, those companies are cash-strapped at the stage when they need a CRO. That’s why some CROs are becoming stakeholders in the companies they work with, offering cash or services for equity in life science startups.
“We fundamentally believe that we should be aligned with our clients,” said David Gee, strategic business development at Cato BioVentures, the venture capital affiliate of a CRO called Cato Research. “I think it’s reasonable, particularly with early-stage companies, that we have some skin in the game. (Then) we have reason to come to a positive endpoint and to get there as quickly and efficiently as possible, because that’s how part of our value is going to be generated.”
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BioSTL announced today a five-year, $2.5 million grant from the Monsanto Company that will support the nonprofit’s work to promote regional economic growth and advance St. Louis’ standing as a leader in bioscience. Funding from Monsanto will allow BioSTL to step up its collaborative efforts to build a strong bioscience ecosystem that capitalizes on St. Louis’ world-class plant and medical science strengths. The announcement came during InvestMidwest 2014, a venture capital conference that showcases 40-45 companies from throughout the Midwest in the three industry tracks of life sciences, technology, and food/ag/bioenergy.
"St. Louis is home to a unique convergence of corporate, university, and entrepreneurial strengths that place our region among the world’s great bioscience centers. Monsanto has been a longtime collaborator with local universities and research institutions as well as an early supporter of regional entrepreneurial activities," said Donn Rubin, President and CEO of BioSTL. "This contribution will help to advance St. Louis’ economy by further expanding the infrastructure necessary to grow St. Louis’ bioscience community."
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