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Join us for an insightful episode of BioTalk as host Rich Bendis welcomes back Rachel King, the visionary CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), bringing with her a remarkable journey spanning roles as an entrepreneur, board member, and advocate for the biotech industry.

In this engaging installment, Rachel offers a glimpse into her evolution from consulting to industry, including her role as co-founder and former CEO of GlycoMimetics, Inc. (GMI). Discover the essence of BIO, its mission, and the global perspective it brings to the biotech landscape. Delve into Rachel's advocacy role and the critical issues facing the industry today, including pricing, congressional relations, and investment challenges. Gain insights into the state of the biotech industry and Rachel's projections for both the near and long term.

Listen as we unravel the dynamic journey of Rachel King, a trailblazing leader in biotechnology, and gain a comprehensive perspective on the industry's present and future. Available now on all major podcasting platforms.

 

Listen now via your favorite podcasting platform:

AmgenHorizon

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. and DUBLINSept. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Horizon Therapeutics plc (NASDAQ:HZNP) today announced the entry into a consent order agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that resolves the pending FTC administrative lawsuit. This clears the path to take the final steps to close Amgen's acquisition of Horizon.

As a result of the consent order agreement, Amgen and Horizon expect that the parties will jointly file stipulated proposed orders to dismiss the preliminary injunction motion and dissolve the temporary restraining order (TRO) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and that Amgen and Horizon will quickly seek the final approvals required under Irish law to close the acquisition.

Narcan

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) announced NARCAN® Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray 4 mg will be available on shelves nationwide and online beginning in September. Over-the-counter (OTC) access to NARCAN® Nasal Spray offers more people the ability to respond in an opioid emergency, helping to save lives and keep loved ones and communities safe. Expanding access and awareness is critical given the staggering toll of the epidemic mainly driven by synthetic opioids, like fentanyl.1 Last year, approximately every seven minutes one life was lost due to an opioid overdose, and today it is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S.2,3 The average response time for emergency services to arrive is approximately 10 minutes.4 Having NARCAN® Nasal Spray in a first-aid kit, or carrying it on the go in case of an opioid emergency, can make a difference and help reverse the effects of opioids while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.

Emerald

Los Angeles, CA; September - CellKey, a leading provider of innovative bioanalytical solutions, is thrilled to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Emerald Cloud Lab (ECL), a pioneer in cloud-based laboratory facilities, to collaborate on the development of a cutting-edge glycoprotein analysis platform. This strategic partnership aims to revolutionize glycosylation studies, essential for diagnosing and treating cancer and various other diseases, as evidenced by the groundbreaking work of the recent Nobel laureate in Chemistry at Stanford University.

tech showcase

The Frederick National Laboratory Advanced Technology Research Facility in Frederick, MD, is set to host the 2023 Technology Showcase on September 6, 2023. This annual event serves as a platform for potential industry partners to engage with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Frederick National Laboratory (FNL).

Registration and Attendance

Interested parties can register to attend the showcase either in person or online. Each mode of attendance has its own unique registration link, offering flexibility for participants.

What to Expect

The Technology Showcase is a free hybrid event featuring a variety of activities and opportunities:

  • Inventor Highlights: NCI and FNL inventors will present technologies ripe for commercialization and collaboration.

  • Programmatic Insights: Leaders from NCI and FNL will share avenues for potential collaboration.

  • Partnership Perspectives: The event will provide insights into what partnering with NCI and FNL entails, including viewpoints from companies that have successfully collaborated.

  • Panel Sessions: These will feature success stories and topics relevant to the commercialization of biomedical technology.

  • Lightning Pitch Competition and Poster Session: These segments will spotlight NIH technologies available for co-development or licensing, presented by the NCI Technology Transfer Ambassadors Program.

polaris

Maryland-based veteran-owned biotech company is working to transform mental health care

COLUMBIA, Md. (August 28, 2023) – Charles Cathlin, CEO of Polaris Genomics (TEDCO Portfolio company)TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced its Venture Funds invested $500,000 State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funds in Polaris Genomics, a Maryland-based biotech company.

Fierce15

It’s been a tough year for biotech, so how about a little good news? In between all the layoffs, restructurings and last-ditch strategic option hunting, we wanted to take a moment to shine a spotlight on 15 innovative and truly fierce biotechs.

That didn't surprise us, because everyone we talk to in the Fierce Biotech universe tells us that science doesn't stop for the markets. Financing might be a little tough right now, but innovation, breakthroughs and discoveries are all still being made. 

The latest crop of Fierce 15 honorees consists of companies pushing the envelope not only in the lab, in the clinic or on the conference circuit: They are also defining what it means to be a modern biotech company, with modalities ranging from radiopharmaceuticals to cell therapy. Indications as diverse as oncology, neurodegenerative disorders, Pompe disease and even pregnancy complications made the list this year.

Danaher

Danaher’s wide-ranging offerings for the life sciences sector will get broader and deeper with the $5.7 billion acquisition of Abcam, a company that makes reagents and tools used in scientific research, drug discovery, and diagnostics.

According to deal terms announced Monday, Washington, D.C.-based Danaher agreed to pay $24 cash for each Abcam share, which is a modest 2.7% premium to that company’s $23.36 closing stock price on Friday. However, shares had already spiked sharply in June after Abcam announced it would pursue a strategy to increase shareholder value as it fended off attempts by company’s founder and former CEO to wrest control of the business. Abcam also said in June it would explore strategic alternatives, including the potential sale of the company. Abcam said Monday that its process engaged with more than 30 entities, a list that narrowed to 20 potential acquirers before leading to the Danaher acquisition agreement.

LUPUS

WASHINGTONAug. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lupus Foundation of America and Lupus Canada are pleased to announce Joan Wither, MD, PhD, FRCPC has been awarded the 2023 Lupus Canada Catalyst Award for her study "Interferon and Prediction of Treatment Responses in Lupus Nephritis," focused on interferon (IFN)-induced genes (an inflammatory marker) to predict treatment response in lupus nephritis with a new technique that could be incorporated into routine analysis of kidney biopsies.

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Explore the world of scientific mentorship and education with Dr. Judy Staveley, an accomplished Chief Biotechnologist and STEM advocate. In this episode of BioTalk, Dr. Staveley discusses her journey in supporting young scientists and her roles in organizations like the National Association of Academies of Science (NAAS) and the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS).  

Discover the upcoming NAAS/AJAS STEM EDUCATION CONFERENCE/FUNDRAISER on September 16th and its impact on inspiring the next generation of innovators. Learn about AJAS's life science support programs that encourage young talents to pursue careers in STEM.  

Dr. Staveley shares insights into STEM education in the BioHealth Capital Region and her personal goals for nurturing young scientists. Join us to uncover the pivotal role of mentorship in shaping the future of STEM.

Listen now via your favorite podcasting platform:

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Rockville, MD – BioHealth Innovation (BHI), a founding member of the BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR), announces its strategic partnership with Big4Bio, an national aggregator of news and developments in the life sciences sector. This collaboration aims to share pivotal news and information from the BHCR, which has recently achieved a significant milestone by ranking as a Top 3 BioPharma Cluster in the Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News “Top 10 US Biopharma Clusters” rankings, to a larger audience beyond the region.

In an era where the life sciences sector is experiencing unparalleled innovation and investment, staying updated with key information is paramount. Big4Bio, focused on its comprehensive coverage of the cornerstone “Big 4” in biosciences and health - drugs, devices, diagnostics, and digital (the “four D’s”), offers daily email newsletters that provide readers with easy-to-scan headlines sourced from hundreds of credible industry sources across eight US Biotech markets. Their commitment to producing individual summaries for the world’s most significant life sciences markets aligns with BHI’s and the BHCR’s vision of fostering growth and innovation in the biotech and life sciences industries.

Bloomberg Business School

The new 250,000-square-foot facility will support the Bloomberg School's mission through dynamic workspaces, state-of-the-art classrooms, and a variety of study, collaboration, and event spaces.

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health shared the latest updates on their planned new building at the Baltimore City Urban Design & Architecture Advisory Panel (UDAAP) meeting this morning.

The new building will be located on existing Johns Hopkins property at the corner of McElderry and Washington streets—adjacent to the division's main Wolfe Street building and at the heart of the East Baltimore campus. The school has been working with award-winning, London-based architectural firm Hopkins Architects as design architect and Baltimore-based Hord Coplan Macht Inc. as architect of record to design a facility that will meet the demands of public health education, research, and practice well into the future.

Totaling approximately 250,000 gross square feet across seven floors, the new facility will support the school's mission of inspiring and educating the next generation of public health leaders through dynamic workspaces, state-of-the-art classrooms, and a variety of study, collaboration, and event spaces, including for events and meetings with community groups.

Currently, the school's academic departments have outgrown their existing spaces, primarily comprised of two separate buildings on North Wolfe Street and North Broadway. The new facility will connect to the Wolfe Street building, bring the core activities of all 10 departments together in one location, and accommodate the Bloomberg School's growth. The new building will also add much-needed green space to the campus, including an expansion of the existing School of Nursing courtyard that will provide a shared collegial space for rest and relaxation between the two schools.

"We are thrilled to be able to move this building to the next phase of planning, with a thoughtful design for a modern facility that connects to our current Wolfe Street building, in order to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, enhance our teaching and learning experience, and provide new opportunities for community engagement and convening," said Bloomberg School of Public Health Dean Ellen J. MacKenzie. "Our goal is to create a vibrant space where researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students collaborate seamlessly to address the most pressing challenges facing us today. We are excited to create an environment that nurtures innovation and incubates ideas that can advance public health globally."

Click here to read more via JHU's HUB.

Immunomic250

ROCKVILLE, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the study of nucleic acid immunotherapy platforms, today announced dosing of the first patient in its Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating ITI-1001, a plasmid DNA (pDNA) vaccine, for the treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), a rare but aggressive form of brain cancer. The study is being conducted at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts and is being led by Dr. David Reardon, Clinical Director, Center for Neuro-Oncology.

“Dosing of the first patient in the Phase 1 clinical trial of ITI-1001 in patients with GBM is a significant clinical development milestone for Immunomic, representing the first time this pDNA vaccine is being administered in humans,” stated Dr. Teri Heiland, Chief Scientific Officer of Immunomic Therapeutics. “We are eager to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy in this patient population, who have only limited treatment options for this devastating disease and expect to read out top-line data in the second quarter of 2025.”

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Horizon Therapeutics and Roche rank among the top pharma companies in terms of reputation among rare disease patient groups, according to a recent report compiled by U.K. consultancy PatientView. 

Published Tuesday, the 2022 Corporate Reputation of Pharma survey asked 426 rare disease patient groups representing some 3.3 million patients to assess the performance of 34 drugmakers in the space.

The report noted that pharma has steadily improved its reputation among rare disease patient groups over the past five years. Most respondents praised drugmakers’ abilities to provide products that are beneficial to patients and innovating on breakthrough treatments.

Still, the industry scored lower in 2022 for key activities that are meaningful to these patient populations, including fair pricing policies and access to medicines.

Out of the 34 companies, Horizon was ranked first among rare disease patient groups familiar with the brand, followed by Roche and Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Out of 31 companies, Roche was assessed as the top company by rare disease patient groups working with the company.

Click here to continue reading.

Gillian Henker

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gillian Henker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gillian below.

Hi Gillian, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

At Sisu Global, we set our vision for a world where medical technology enables access to healthcare in every community. In 2010 at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), I set out to create medical devices to fit the unmet needs of those in resource-limited settings — medical devices that are simple in nature yet impactful in design, serve as a lifesaving intervention for patients, and directly influence the entire healthcare ecosystem.