Biohealth Innovation - 298th Edition

BioHealth Innovation

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April 3, 2018

Office of Montgomery County Executive Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Lily Qi Interviewed on BioTalk with Rich Bendis Podcast

Lily, Qi, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer – Office of Montgomery County Executive joins Rich for this episode of BioTalk. They discuss the topics like the role that MoCo plays in Economic Development, Cultural Competence in a diverse region, and her future career goals. Lily has served County Executive Ike Leggett for eight years in various capacities and led strategic initiatives including privatizing economic development functions; establishing BioHealth Innovation, Inc. to advance research commercialization; developing global partnerships; improving nighttime economy, and developing the Comprehensive Economic Strategy. Lily joined Montgomery County after serving as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for the Washington, DC Economic Partnership and spokesperson for the DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking.

Listen now on iTunes , Google Play , and TuneIn.

Third Annual Crab Trap: Deadline approaching, last week to apply....

APPLY NOW »

You thought the Shark Tank was tough?

The Third Annual BioHealth Capital Region Crab Trap is now accepting applications at http://www.bhcrforum.com/crab-trap/

Deadline for entries is April 9th, 2018 - Finalists will be announced on April 17th, 2018

Submit your application for a chance to be named the startup company with the most commercial potential at the BioHealth Capital Region Forum.

Five finalists will have the chance to win the grand prize by presenting on April 24th in front of a panel of prominent industry funding expert and executives.

2018 BioHealth Capital Region Forum: Only 2 Weeks Left to Register

April 23-24 | 1 MedImmune Way, Gaithersburg MD 20878

This invitation-only event is free for executive level biotech leaders and is presented by BioHealth Innovation, VirginiaBio, Inova, Children’s National Health System, QIAGEN, Maryland Tech Council, University System of Maryland and MedImmune/AstraZeneca. Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC set the bar high for biotech innovation. So please join us for our Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum that will highlight the accomplishments of today and chart our successes of tomorrow.

We are excited to bring you an exceptional line up of speakers. The program will feature sessions that focus on the Advancing Science and Accelerating Innovation.

2018 FNIH Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences Winner Discovered How DNA Stimulates Immune Response

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) is delighted to recognize Zhijian “James” Chen, Ph.D., with the 2018 Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences for discovery of the enzyme cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase (cGAS) and its corresponding pathway, which solved a century- old mystery about DNA. Long before DNA was known to be a genetic material, scientists knew that it could activate the body’s immune system to fight infections. However, they did not understand the cellular process that occurred to trigger this response until Dr. Chen’s discovery. The cGAS enzyme and its DNA-sensing pathway are the catalyst for the critical immune response that defends the body against viruses, bacteria and tumors, but surprisingly, they also can inflict autoimmune disease. Now in its sixth year, the Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences will be presented to Dr. Chen at the FNIH Award Ceremony hosted by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on May 16, 2018 in Washington, D.C.

Altimmune Announces Positive Data From Its Phase 2a Study of NasoVAX Intranasal Influenza Vaccine and Provides an Update on Its Phase 1b Study of HepTcell Targeted Immunotherapy in Chronic Hepatitis B Infection | Altimmune, Inc.

Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALT), a clinical-stage immunotherapeutics company, today announced positive data from its Phase 2a study of NasoVAX intranasal influenza vaccine and provided an update on its Phase 1b study of HepTcell targeted immunotherapy in chronic hepatitis B infection. Results from the Phase 2a study of NasoVAX™ intranasal flu vaccine in 60 healthy individuals showed 100% seroprotection in the mid- and high-dose groups. Results from the Phase 1b study of HepTCell in hepatitis B infection showed that HepTcell was well tolerated at all doses tested, while the unblinded T-cell immunogenicity results were inconclusive.

Center for Human Genomic Medicine and Research Joins JHU Montgomery County Campus - News - Johns Hopkins University Montgomery County Campus

Dr. Sisir Dutta, a former genetics professor at Howard University, has established the Center for Human Genomic Medicine and Research. The nonprofit center is a new tenant at the Johns Hopkins University Montgomery County Campus.

Cerecor Appoints Peter Greenleaf as Chief Executive Officer - Press Release - Digital Journal

Cerecor, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERC) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Peter Greenleaf as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Greenleaf has served on the Company's board since May 2017. He brings to Cerecor over two decades of biopharmaceutical experience, having most recently served as Chairman and CEO of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals and led the company's acquisition by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals for $1.2 billion. Throughout his career, Mr. Greenleaf has demonstrated a track record for creating shareholder value through solid commercial execution and efficient drug development.

BioMarker Strategies Announces that Both of Its Core Diagnostics Technologies for Solid Tumor Cancers Are Now Covered by New Patents Granted in Canada | Business Wire

The SnapPath® Cancer Diagnostics System is the only diagnostics system that can generate purified populations of live solid tumor cells from live, unfixed samples in an automated and standardized manner. SnapPath preserves the molecular integrity of these living cells for exposure outside the human body to targeted therapies. This enables the generation of PathMap® Functional Signaling Profiles, which are highly predictive of individual solid tumor response to targeted therapies and combinations, because they are based on the dynamic, predictive signaling information available only from live cells. BioMarker Strategies has been granted patents on both of these important technologies in the United States, Europe, Australia, Canada and Japan, and patent applications are pending elsewhere. (Photo: Business Wire)

Emmes and IDx Partner Using Artificial Intelligence to Detect Diabetic Retinopathy in Primary Care

The Emmes Corporation today announced the completion of a pivotal clinical trial for a new product developed by IDx that could help in detecting diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in the United States. IDx-DR is a fully autonomous AI-based diagnostic system that analyzes images of the retina for signs of diabetic retinopathy, providing instructions for follow-up care based on the level of disease detected. IDx-DR has been granted expedited review by the Food and Drug Administration.

2017 Year-End Market Report — MCEDC

Montgomery County continues to experience a steady rise in employment since 2014, a positive change from stagnant growth in prior years. Montgomery County recorded over 550,000 employees, an increase of 2.6% from last year and trended above the then year average of 516,360. Montgomery County’s unemployment rate continued to contract and ended Q3 2017 with a rate of 3.2%, down from 3.3% from November 2016.

BioBuzz with Hogans Agency, Inc. - April 19th

Join BioBuzz and founding sponsor Hogans Agency at Bar Louie on April 19th. Hogans Agency, Inc. has more than 60 years of insurance industry experience and over 20 years experience serving the Life Science insurance segment. We draw upon this expertise as we work to understand the changing nature of our client’s business.

Emergent BioSolutions Announces Executive Management Changes That Enhance Execution of Company’s Growth Strategy NYSE:EBS

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) today announced executive management changes that continue to align its organizational structure to its long-term strategy and to the achievement of its near- and long-term growth objectives. Specifically, effective today, the company’s board of directors promoted Robert G. Kramer Sr. to the newly-created position of president and chief operating officer, and appointed Richard S. Lindahl as the company’s new executive vice president and chief financial officer.

NexImmune Announces Management and Board Appointments

NexImmune, an emerging leader in the field of antigen-directed immunotherapy, today announced that Scott Carmer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Carmer has served as NexImmune’s Chief Operating Officer since 2015. In addition, Kristi Jones has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, and Alan Roemer has been appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

GSK buys out Novartis in $13 billion consumer healthcare shake-up

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.L) is buying Novartis (NOVN.S) out of their consumer healthcare joint venture for $13 billion, taking full control of products including Sensodyne toothpaste, Panadol headache tablets, muscle gel Voltaren, and Nicotinell patches.

PA-18-702: Administrative Supplements for Participation in the Concept to Clinic: Commercializing Innovation (C3i) Program (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of the administrative supplement is to provide support for NIH-funded investigators to participate in an entrepreneurship training course, the Concept to Clinic: Commercializing Innovation (C3i) Program. The C3i Program is designed to provide medical device innovators with the specialized business frameworks and essential tools for successful translation of biomedical technologies from the lab (concept) to the market (clinic). Through this program, the NIH fosters the development and commercialization of early-stage biomedical technologies by engaging investigators who are interested in better understanding the value of their innovation in addressing an unmet market need. The curriculum and customized mentoring provided by the C3i Program are intended to guide investigators as they assess the commercial viability and potential business opportunity for their innovation. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIH Scientific/Research staff for more information about the program before applying.

Funding Early Stage Companies: Guidance from the Deerfield and NextCure

When: Thursday, April 19, 2018 4:00 - 7:00 PM EST

Where: Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures 1812 Ashland Avenue Baltimore, MD 21205

Deerfield Management is an investment management firm, committed to advancing healthcare through investment, information and philanthropy. Partner and Hopkins alum, Brian Bizoza, MD will talk to their investment strategy and their work advancing early technologies from major academic institutions.

JHU Launches New Concentration in Regenerative and Stem Cell Technologies - News - Johns Hopkins University Montgomery County Campus

Johns Hopkins University is launching a new concentration in Regenerative and Stem Cell Technologies within the Master of Science in Biotechnology. Students will become knowledgeable about areas including regenerative medicine, cell therapy, gene therapy and tissue engineering.

Senseonics Announces Favorable Outcome of FDA Advisory Committee on the Eversense System – Senseonics

Senseonics Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: SENS), a medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of Eversense®, a long-term, implantable continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system for people with diabetes, today announced a favorable outcome of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Toxicology Devices meeting on the Eversense system. The panel, comprised of independent medical experts, voted unanimously, 8 to 0, that the benefits outweigh the risks, voted unanimously, 8 to 0, that the system is safe, and voted unanimously, 8 to 0, that the system is effective.

WeWork to Open First Maryland Location on University of Maryland Campus - UMD Right Now

Adding to the growing momentum in Prince George’s County, WeWork, a global leader in coworking with more than 200 locations in 21 countries around the world, has selected College Park for its first location in the State of Maryland. As part of a new partnership model, this will be the first WeWork on a college campus, located in the University of Maryland’s Discovery District.

The South’s Most Active Startup Investors - TEDCO Listed

The American South is not all barbecue and shrimp and grits. It turns out that there are plenty of interesting startup companies in the region, and where there are startups, there are investors too.

Student-run incubator gets startups off the ground - Hub

You're a student, and you've got an idea for a new app. It's handy. It's intuitive. It solves some commonplace problem you've encountered yourself too many times to count. This idea of yours is going to take off, you know it.

Blockchain, AI and robotics: How future tech will simplify federal procurement

Created in 1974, the Federal Acquisition Regulation provides “uniform policies and procedures for acquisition” to ensure integrity, fairness, and openness in federal procurement. And for over 40 years now, federal agencies have implemented numerous contract writing and support systems. But no one technology has made it dramatically easier for contracting officers or industry.