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In 2016, during the Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum at MedImmune/AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, Maryland, an ambitious goal was set: to make the BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR) a Top 3 BioHealth cluster in the United States by 2023. That vision has been realized in the latest Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News “Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters” rankings, marking a significant milestone in the region’s relentless pursuit of excellence, collaboration, and innovation in the BioHealth field.

Rich Bendis, President & CEO of BioHealth Innovation, Inc., stated, “It’s been an incredible journey working with so many dedicated individuals and organizations in the region over the years to meet this goal. The spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines the BioHealth Capital Region has been the driving force behind this success, and I’m proud to be part of this remarkable community.”

AUTM

The Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) has released its annual Licensing Survey for 2022, revealing promising trends in technology transfer across the United States and Canada. The survey's findings underscore the significant growth in research funding, the robustness of startup companies, and the evolving landscape of licensing.

U.S. Survey Highlights

In the United States, the survey reported record-breaking research expenditures, topping $91 billion in 2022. This marks a 9.5% increase from the previous year and the highest total in the survey's 30-year history.

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QIAGEN’s therascreen PDGFRA RGQ PCR kit approved in U.S. to aid in identifying patients with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors positive for the PDGFRA D842V mutation who may be eligible for treatment with AYVAKIT® (avapritinib) // First FDA-approved companion diagnostic to detect mutation in the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha gene associated with primary resistance to other drugs // Approval adds to QIAGEN’s leading portfolio in precision medicine, including now 12 FDA approved companion diagnostics

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Prime Medicine to use MaxCyte’s Flow Electroporation® technology and ExPERT™ platform to advance their innovative Prime Editing technology and develop a new class of one-time, potentially curative therapies

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MaxCyte, Inc., (Nasdaq: MXCT; LSE: MXCT), a leading, cell-engineering focused company providing enabling platform technologies to advance the discovery, development and commercialization of next-generation cell-based therapeutics and to support innovative, cell-based research, today announced the signing of a strategic partnership with Prime Medicine, Inc., a biotechnology company committed to delivering a new class of differentiated one-time curative genetic therapies.

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GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) announced today that it was awarded a 10-year contract by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), valued at up to a maximum of $704 million, for advanced development, manufacturing scale-up, and procurement of Ebanga™ (ansuvimab-zykl), a licensed treatment for Ebola virus disease (EVD).

“For almost 25 years, Emergent has tackled the most serious diseases to assist governments in their preparedness and response strategies,” said Dr. Kelly Warfield, senior vice president, science and development at Emergent. “Ebola virus has the ability to emerge unexpectedly posing a risk to global health. Its elusive nature makes it difficult to predict when and where an outbreak may occur, which underscores the importance of preparedness efforts against this public health threat.”

SanofiMirecule
After the race to find a COVID-19 vaccine, researchers set off to explore other disease areas with similar RNA vehicles. miRecule, a US biotechnology company, is on a different path, leveraging advances in RNA therapeutics to find treatments for rare diseases.

Today, Sanofi and miRecule are joining forces to pioneer innovative approaches in rare diseases and drive the creation of new medicines for patients in need.

In 2022, Sanofi announced its partnership with miRecule, combining Sanofi’s experience and best practices with the biotech’s speed and ability to drive novel therapies forward. And according to miRecule CEO Anthony Saleh, we’ve only seen the beginning of the exciting potential of RNA therapeutics.

 “As we learn more about patient genetics and data analytics, we can more quickly design and discover new RNA therapies,” said Saleh.

Ampel Award

Virginia officials recognized AMPEL BioSolutions today for their dedication to identifying, training, and retaining STEM-trained workers, especially in the area of precision medicine.

The annual Virginia Talent + Opportunity (V-TOP) award is given on National Intern Day to employers who provide work-based learning opportunities, particularly to interns, who are essential to Virginia's economy and play a crucial role in developing the necessary skills for career success, as stated by Kirk Cox, President of VA Bus Higher Ed Council. Internships are the foundation for workforce development.

Asclepix

Perceptive Advisors leads round to execute study in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD)

BALTIMORE, MD, July 26, 2023– AsclepiX Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotech company leveraging computational biology from Johns Hopkins to identify and develop peptides for improved treatments of retinal diseases, announced today that it has secured a $10 million Series A-3 financing. The round was led by Perceptive Advisors with participation from the existing investors Hibiscus Capital Management Fund II and Rapha Capital Management and its managed fund, Rapha Capital PE Life Sciences Fund VI, in addition to a new outside investor.

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, JULY 26, 2023 — RIVANNA®, developers of imaging-based medical solutions, announced that they have received funding totaling $30.5 million over 39 months from early execution of an option by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The funding will support the further advanced development of the Accuro® XV for comprehensive point-of-care musculoskeletal diagnostics as well as submission of an application for FDA clearance.

"Completing our base-stage performance milestones ahead of schedule is a testament to our organization's dedication and commitment to healthcare innovation," said Delphine Le Roux, PhD, PMP, Director of Program Management. “As a direct consequence of this accomplishment, the project received early option one funding, expediting Accuro XV's product development and initial clinical evaluations for FDA clearance. The continued support of our funding partners underscores the strong collaboration built on trust among all stakeholders involved in this effort," added Le Roux.

Solar Biotech

NORTON, Va. and PETERBOROUGH, ONJuly 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Solar Biotech Inc., a Norton, Virginia-based provider of complete sustainable and scalable biomanufacturing solutions, continues to build out its vertically integrated organization by acquiring Noblegen, an advanced digital biology company based in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

Noblegen will now operate under the name Solar Biotech Canada, continuing as the organization's food-grade-certified (SQF9) biomanufacturing and research & development hub in Canada. The new company will leverage both partners' strengths in microbiology and biomanufacturing to offer revolutionary biotech and synthetic biology ("SynBio") solutions for a wide range of applications.

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The 6th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Investor Conference is just around the corner! Taking place on September 21st, 2023, at the US Pharmacopeia, this in-person event brings together ambitious entrepreneurs, startup-up companies and innovative BioHealth companies with a diverse group of influential investors, offering funding opportunities ranging from pre-seed to Series A.

The BioHealth Capital Region is renowned for its vibrant biotechnology and life sciences community, a breeding ground for groundbreaking advancements and success stories. The conference's history is marked with exceptional achievements, from initial funding rounds to subsequent financings, successful IPOs, and engaging M&A activities.

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United Therapeutics Corporation (Nasdaq: UTHR), a public benefit corporation, announced today that the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the district court decision in the patent litigation United Therapeutics brought against Liquidia Technologies, Inc. The Federal Circuit affirmed that Liquidia’s proposed Yutrepia™ product infringes a United Therapeutics’ patent, U.S. Patent No. 10,716,793 (the ’793 patent). As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cannot grant Liquidia final approval for its Yutrepia product until expiration of the ’793 patent, May 14, 2027, except in certain circumstances discussed below.

Galen Robotics

Galen Robotics has claimed a de novo device clearance from the FDA for its digital surgical assistant, designed to provide a helping hand during ear, nose and throat operations.

The motorized ES system helps stabilize the surgeon’s direct manual control of their instrument—with the goal of reducing natural hand tremors and other movements—to supply greater precision in minimally invasive procedures on soft tissue, as well as offer the ability to let go of the swappable tool and have it remain in place.

The Baltimore-based company, with technology originally spun out of Johns Hopkins University, also aims to promote the device through a “digital-surgery-as-a-service” platform. 

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  • Emergent has been delivering CYFENDUS™ vaccine to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services since 2019, under pre-Emergency Use Authorization status, and will continue to work with the U.S. government to transition to post-approval procurement

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved CYFENDUS™ (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed, Adjuvanted), previously known as AV7909, for post-exposure prophylaxis of disease following suspected or confirmed exposure to Bacillus anthracis in persons 18 through 65 years of age when administered in conjunction with recommended antibacterial drugs. The efficacy of CYFENDUS™ vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis is based solely on studies in animal models of inhalational anthrax.

“The approval of CYFENDUS™ vaccine is symbolic of Emergent's longstanding partnership with the U.S. government and our shared commitment to helping protect public health,” said Dr. Kelly Warfield, Emergent’s senior vice president, science and development. “The 20-year journey from early development to approval is a major milestone that attests to Emergent's scientific and technical prowess and partnering capabilities. We are grateful for the yearslong collaboration with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and early support from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Congratulations to the Emergent team and all our partners for advancing this product to approval.”

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Talented, diverse, and experienced leaders tapped to support Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies

 

COLUMBIA, Md. (July 20, 2023) – TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, held its annual election for the board of directors’ executive officers, reaffirming another term for Chair Omar Muhammad of Morgan State University (MSU).

TEDCO’s full slate of executive officers are:

“I’m excited to continue serving on the board of directors. Our work has focused on supporting TEDCO’s mission of creating an enhanced, diverse and inclusive ecosystem throughout the state, and we look forward to continuing this mission through the various resources and programs TEDCO has to offer,” said Omar Muhammad, chair of the board. “In particular, I am excited to move forward with the Cultivate Maryland initiative, a major project that will support the growth of a diverse innovation economy thereby increasing Maryland’s competitiveness as an innovation economy and supporting larger retention and attraction of trained workers.”