Details
Published:
OMalley

Gov. Martin O‟Malley will call for more than $6 million to spin research conducted at university labs    into new companies, aides said Tuesday.

The proposal seeks to address the gulf between the state‟s strong track record in attracting research dollars and relative lack of success in turning that funding into commercial ventures, an issue that commands the attention of academics and business leaders alike.

The new state allotment would be used to fund promising technologies and fund research of others.

Download the PDF

Details
Published:
Scientist

A decade ago, Maryland's chief competition in the bioscience industry came from the coasts: New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts on the East and California on the West.

Since then, a crop of emerging biotech clusters has started to make its mark, hailing from the Midwest and farther south into Texas and Florida.

As these new competitors seek their place in the market, Maryland's state officials and business executives hope to maintain and expand its biotech presence through a strategy of organic growth.

Details
Published:
Medicine

Healthcare is caught in a slow-motion collision between two 21st Century realities. The world’s growing and aging population creates ever-greater needs for treatment. At the same time, limited resources constrict the availability of quality care.

Perhaps half the people who die each day – more in poor areas – suffer from diseases that are preventable or curable. While medical advances do help patients live longer, the costs of care are rising. And even as science discovers new mechanisms of disease, medicine relies too much on trial and error.

The good news is, solutions are at hand to improve the health of the world’s 7 billion people. We can transform healthcare systems to care for patients in more sustained and cost-effective ways.

Details
Published:
University of Maryland Logo

Elana Fine, who heads an angel investor network organized by the University of Maryland    ’s Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, has been promoted to replace Dingman’s longtime managing director, Asher Epstein.

The leadership shuffle comes at a time when the Dingman Center Angels is sharply stepping up its investment activity, inking eight early-stage deals in 2011 — twice as many as it signed in 2010. The angel group was formerly known as the Capital Access Network but rebranded last year.

Details
Published:
NewImage

The legislative compromise on a short-term payroll tax extension dominated headlines in late December, but few journalists heralded a provision that was included in the bill that will help small businesses and boost America’s economy: the six-year reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

The SBIR program helps empower our nation’s small entrepreneurs by funding a major federal Research & Development endeavor, creating new jobs and growing our economy. As a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, I have been a long-time supporter of this highly successful program.

Details
Published:
NewImage

An innovative Maryland technology transfer program - the first of its kind in the United States to partner federal labs and public universities - has received an award honoring its success.

The Maryland Proof of Concept Alliance, which teams the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the University System of Maryland, was recognized as a national model by a group representing federal labs.

The Mid-Atlantic Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) - has made the Alliance the first recipient of its Partnership Award honoring successful collaborations between educational institutions and federal labs.

Details
Published:
NewImage

The four states with the nation’s largest biotech clusters showed that they too were not immune to challenges common to most U.S. regions seeking to build their life science presence. Hurdles included a capital squeeze particularly for early-stage biopharmas, the reality of the industry’s international growth, and the need to attract new businesses and retain existing ones.

All four top-tier biotech states—California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Maryland—did, however, find numerous ways to address these challenges. They rolled out new financing programs or tweaked existing ones. In some cases they reached out to regions around the world. In others they identified promising niches within their clusters. Signs of success could be seen in a series of new construction and expansion projects.

Details
Published:
Christopher Anderson/The Gazette “I think research is critical to the future of the defense and intelligence community,” says Charles Goldblum, new executive business director of the John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab's Research and Exploratory Development Department.

As the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel consolidates several of its major areas, it has tapped a science veteran of almost 30 years to ensure it is ready to meet the needs of its federal military and research customers.

“We need to make sure we strategically invest program development funds to best support our customers,” said Charles Goldblum, who was recently named business area executive for the lab’s new department.

The Research and Exploratory Development Department was created this fall to develop and nurture new technologies to meet emerging national challenges.

Details
Published:
HGS

Steady progress toward broader adoption of BENLYSTA treatment

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. HGSI +1.18% will today announce its priority goals for 2012 and report on progress with the commercialization of BENLYSTA(R) (belimumab), the first approved drug for systemic lupus in 56 years, during a presentation this afternoon by H. Thomas Watkins, President and Chief Executive Officer, to financial analysts and investors at the 30th Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco.

"Thousands of patients with systemic lupus are now being treated with BENLYSTA," said Mr. Watkins. "We are pioneering a treatment in a market that has not seen a new option for patients in decades. Although we are still in the early adoption phase of our launch, our experience in the market to date reinforces our belief that BENLYSTA will ultimately play a major role in improving the standard of care for SLE patients."

Details
Published:
File photo “It’s a close-knit environment,” Kenneth Carter says of the relationship between Noble Life Sciences and NexImmune in Gaithersburg.

Two Maryland biotechs announced inroads in their efforts to develop stem cell treatments for depression and diabetes.

Neuralstem has gotten the regulatory go-ahead to advance to phase 1b in its ongoing clinical trial of its stem cell treatment for major depressive disorder.

NSI-189 stimulates new neuron growth in the brain’s hippocampus, which may be involved in depression and other conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the Rockville biotech.

Details
Published:
Innovate

As a group, postdocs are underrepresented in entrepreneurial careers due to their need for business training, their lack of industrial experience, and their difficulty accessing entrepreneurial mentors and advisors. Through a grant from the National Science Foundation, the INNoVATE™ program addresses these needs.

INNoVATE™ is a unique program that offers scientific postdoctoral fellows and researchers the opportunity to develop the needed entrepreneurial skills to move innovations to the market. Focused on cultivating entrepreneurs from the more than 4800 postdocs in the state of Maryland, the INNoVATE™ program aims to train and educate today’s life scientists in the skills needed to create the high growth technology companies of tomorrow.

Details
Published:
NewImage

President Barack Obama signed legislation Dec. 31 that reauthorized the Small Business Innovation Research program for six years.

Through the SBIR program, the 11 federal agencies with the biggest outside research budgets are required to spend at least 2.5 percent of this money with small businesses. The new legislation, which was attached to a defense reauthorization bill, increases that share to 3.2 percent over the next six years.

Details
Published:
Ted Olsen

Ted Olsen needed to make his Baltimore environmental testing company sound so intriguing that the venture capitalists packing a hotel ballroom would beg to hear more.

The CEO of PathSensors Inc. was on the hunt for $1.5 million in financing. Like a business version of speed dating, Olsen had six minutes — less than the time it takes to cook spaghetti — to bring to life the company into which he poured his sweat, dreams and savings.

Details
Published:
NewImage

Johns Hopkins Technology Transfer has licensed a new nanotechnology to a Gaithersburg startup for the development of cancer therapies.

The license for Artificial Immune nanotechnology was granted to NexImmune, formed in part by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine faculty members. The staff members are involved in the development of the Artificial Immune technology.

Details
Published:
Tour Eiffel

Recovering from the failure of an oral supplement to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, United Therapeutics has received approval in France for an intravenous treatment.

The firm also has submitted a U.S. application for a standalone oral treatment.

French regulatory agency Agence Francaise de Securite Sanitaire des Produits de Sante has approved IV use of the Silver Spring company’s Remodulin.

Remodulin already is approved in most of Europe and in the U.S. for subcutaneous infusion treatment, or continuous injections just under the skin, according to United Therapeutics information.

Details
Published:

Almost three years ago, the Montgomery County Biosciences Task Force issued recommendations that included the formation of a public-private partnership to help take the local life sciences industry to another level.

This week, that nonprofit partnership, called BioHealth Innovation, formally incorporated and has raised more than $1 million from companies such as MedImmune of Gaithersburg and Human Genome Sciences of Rockville, along with medical system Adventist HealthCare of Rockville and Johns Hopkins University to start implementing its programs.

Details
Published:

Biotech executives are applauding Montgomery County officials for following through on another key recommendation of the county’s Biosciences Task Force.

The county council’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee on Monday recommended that the council provide $500,000 in annual supplemental funding as a local piggyback on the state’s own biotech investment tax credit. While not a formal tax credit, which would require an amendment to state law, the county appropriation would effectively make it a grant program, said Steven A. Silverman, the county’s economic development director.

Details
Published:
Employer of the Year Template Individual

Rockville, MD – BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) is proud to announce that our Founder, President & CEO, Rich Bendis, has been named a finalist for the Community Builder Award in the 2023 BioHealth Capital Region Annual Awards, hosted by BioBuzz.

Rich Bendis’ dedication to fostering innovation and supporting the biohealth ecosystem has been instrumental in driving growth and collaboration within the industry. His visionary leadership at BHI has created a platform for emerging companies, researchers, and entrepreneurs to connect with resources, expertise, and opportunities, significantly contributing to the region’s economic development and public health advancements.

BioBuzz’s recognition of Rich Bendis as a finalist for the Community Builder Award is a testament to his unwavering commitment and impactful work in the BioHealth Capital Region, encompassing Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia.

Details
Published:
Banners and Alerts and 3 Roundcube Webmail Inbox

With the LSN Digital RESI Conference approaching quickly, Event Gold Sponsor, BioHealth Innovation (BHI), is stepping up to help lead five panels with some heavy hitters from the BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR) on June 8-10, 2020.

Great Investment Opportunities in the BioHealth Capital Region

While we adjust to a COVID-19 world, there continue to be great investment opportunities in the BioHealth Capital Region. Join BHCR CEOs as they make short introductions about themselves and companies. Join CEOs from American Gene Technologies International Inc., miRecule, Adaptive Phage, Healion Bio, KaloCyte, Emocha, Tailored Therapeutics, Inc., DEKA, and Ashvattha Therapeutics, Inc.

Details
Published:
bendis-headshot-090517-image

We are excited to announce that Rich Bendis of BioHealth Innovation will be the keynote speaker at the 2019 Technology Showcase. Now in its third year, the Technology Showcase promises to be a "must attend" event for biotech stakeholders in Maryland/DC/VA region. Check out the event page to learn more about our keynote speaker and some of the great panel sessions that we have planned.

Make sure to reserve time on your calendar for the afternoon of Wednesday, June 12.

The 2019 Technology Showcase is a half-day event that will showcase technologies being developed at the NCI and the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR) to encourage startup company formation, technology licensing and collaborations. Innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and business development professionals should attend. 

Details
Published:
bhi launch tedco mont county logo

University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology Research, 9600 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20850

Register NOW:  https://tinyurl.com/BHISBIR2019

  • 8:00 a.m. – Networking and Registration
  • 8:30 a.m. – Welcome
  • 8:35 a.m. – SBIR Funding Opportunities at the National Institutes of Health
    • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
    • National Institute on Aging
    • National Institute on Drug Abuse
    • National Cancer Institute  
  • 9:45 a.m. – Partnership Opportunities with NCI Frederick National Lab  
  • 10:00 a.m. – BREAK
  • 10:20 a.m. – SBIR Funding Opportunities with the National Science Foundation    
  • 11:00 a.m. – BREAK  
  • 11:15 a.m. – SBIR Funding Opportunities with USAMRC    
  • 11:45 a.m. –  Lunch  
  • 12:45 p.m. – (1:1 Room Set)  
  • 1:00 p.m. – Writing Your Specific Aims Page OR 1:1 Meetings* (available simultaneously)  
  • 1:30 p.m. – Writing Your Phase II Commercialization Plan OR 1:1 Meetings* (available simultaneously)  
  • 2:00 p.m. – Writing Your Specific Aims Page OR 1:1 Meetings* (available simultaneously)  
  • 2:30 p.m. –  Writing Your Phase II Commercialization Plan  OR 1:1 Meetings* (available simultaneously))  
  • 3:00 p.m. –  1:1 Meetings* (NIH only)  
  • 4:00 p.m. – Adjourn

Pre-Registration REQUIRED: RSVP by noon, February 26 at https://tinyurl.com/BHISBIR2019
No charge for entrepreneurs to attend • NOTE: Most 1:1 meeting(s) timeslots now are booked but when you list your agency interests in the RSVP we will be certain to let them know to follow up with you with more information.

Details
Published:
ReimbursementFlyer 01

  • How do you obtain coverage and payment for your technology?
  • Is the process different for medical devices from diagnostics or therapeutics?
  • Can digital apps be reimbursed?
  • How do I work with bundled payments?
  • What is the process for securing reimbursement codes?  Do I need different strategies based upon the point of care?
  • How much do I need to budget for a reimbursement strategy?  When do I need one?
  • How to I talk to investors about my reimbursement strategy? 

Learn the answers to these questions and more through the November 14th PathFinder Innovation Program. (There is no charge to attend in person or by videoconference, however, pre-registration by NOON, 11/13 is required).

  • 8:15 a.m. Networking and Coffee
  • 8:30 a.m.  – Issues Overview (in person/by videoconference)
    • Speakers:  Brian Abraham, Founder, Lara Reimbursement Advisory
    • Luis Gutierrez, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, NHLBI and BioHealth Innovation
  • 9:30 a.m. – 1:1 Office Hours (in person/by videoconference)*


This program is cosponsored by BioHealth Innovation, Launch Workplaces, TEDCO and Montgomery County. It is open to anyone in the BioHealth Capital Region.  

To register/For more information, email:  BHI@BioHealthInnovation.  (In person 1:1 scheduling:  www.tinyurl.com/BHIappointments.)

*Attendance at Overview in person/by videoconference required to participate in 1:1 sessions.

Details
Published:
childrens-nation-bhi-logo

To foster development, production and marketing of the next generation of medical devices designed to meet growing children’s unique needs, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) awarded $5 million to the National Capital Consortium for Pediatric Device Innovation (NCC-PDI), led by Children’s National Health System and University of Maryland, College Park. New Consortium members include BioHealth Innovation, Inc., a Maryland-based innovation intermediary that supports the transformation of research projects into new business opportunities, and MedTech Innovator, a California-based virtual startup accelerator that matches health care industry leaders with early-stage and emerging growth medtech companies for mentorship and support. NCC-PDI’s affiliated members include industry leaders such as Smithwise, Epidarex, and Cadence. 

Details
Published:
Inbiaimpactlogo

BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) has received the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA)’s January 2018 IMPACT Award in Biotech/Cleantech for the management of four spaces for early stage companies: the Germantown Innovation Center, the Rockville Innovation Center, LaunchLabs, and the BHI International Innovation Center.   The award is based on a variety of metrics including affiliations and partnerships, application and graduation, facilities, mission and goals.  This recognition also enables this innovation activity to be considered with other leading entrepreneurial centers across the country as a finalist for the InBIA’s annual Incubator of the Year Awards.  

Details
Published:
emergent-biosolution-logo

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) today announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Department of National Defence (DND) valued at approximately $8 million to deliver Anthrasil® (Anthrax Immune Globulin Intravenous [human]) to the Canadian government. This contract award follows the recent approval of Anthrasil by Health Canada under the Extraordinary Use New Drug (EUND) Regulations, which provide a regulatory pathway for products for which collecting clinical information for its intended use in humans is logistically or ethically not possible. Anthrasil is indicated for the treatment of inhalational anthrax in adult and pediatric patients in combination with appropriate antibacterial drugs.

Details
Published:
affinis-labs-logo

That Indians are not only heading global IT giants like Google and Microsoft but also a number of startups in diverse sectors, including biotechnology, across the US is evident from the fact that of the 52 companies operating out of the two innovation hubs in Rockville and Germantown in Maryland 11 are either headed or run by Indians.

From mobile technology platform connecting doctors and patients to pre-market cybersecurity for IoT (Internet of Things) devices, Indian Americans are the driving force behind several firms at the two innovation hubs managed by BioHealth Innovation, Inc, a non-profit public-private partnership, which aids early stage biotechnology companies from research to commercialization.

Details
Published:
bendis-headshot-090517-image

In 2010, an industry-led task force created in Montgomery County partnered with members of regional academia, government and other nonprofits to create an entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem that wasn’t being filled.

BioHealth Innovation Inc. (BHI), which was founded in 2012 by Richard Bendis in Rockville, Md., is designed to help bio-health companies grow, identify commercially relevant science, create new businesses and attract equity funding to the region. Bendis, who is also the president and CEO, has overseen the organization’s creation of unique programming for entrepreneurs at the National Institutes of Health, the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University.

Details
Published:
Bendis AE1

Robust private-sector investment and prudent regulation from policymakers have helped establish Maryland as a cradle of innovation and a leader in the U.S. innovation economy. Few states can match Maryland's highly skilled workforce, market access and technology-centered policy incentives, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranked Maryland No. 1 in the country for entrepreneurship and innovation.

But continued leadership of the region — and the ability of the region to continue to reap the economic and jobs benefits of innovation — is not a given. It requires constant cultivation and smart action from our elected officials.

Maryland is home to more than 800 life sciences companies, 70 federal labs and 16 colleges and universities, including National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, Johns Hopkins University, the University System of Maryland and companies like MedImmune and GlaxoSmithKline. About 6 percent of Maryland's gross domestic product — $17.6 billion — is generated by the life sciences, and the biotechnology industry in Maryland alone employs about 34,000.

During the most recent legislative session in Maryland, the General Assembly considered a piece of onerous drug pricing legislation that threatened the biopharmaceutical ecosystem in the state while also potentially impeding access to care for Maryland patients.

In the name of "transparency," the legislation — which would have been the most hostile to industry in the country — imposed complex bureaucratic reporting requirements that disregarded the extraordinary development requirements and complex distribution channels for innovative drugs and therapies.

Read more via the Capital Gazette

Details
Published:

BioHealth Innovation (BHI) is pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Maryland and the region.

BHI is a regional innovation intermediary which supports the transformation of research projects into new business opportunities in partnership with the region’s rich assets, institutions, and entrepreneurial community. BHI achieves this goal by being a catalytic partner in the economic development ecosystem which focuses on attracting, retaining, founding and reinventing biohealth businesses. BHI has built the infrastructure and track record to cofound and create new early stage biohealth startup and spinoff companies. In addition, BHI works directly with existing biohealth firms through a variety of supportive services including: incubation and accelerator programs, non-dilutive funding assistance, international soft landing programs and entrepreneur-in-residence support.

Details
Published:
BendisAE

 

The Daily Record has named BioHealth Innovation Inc., (BHI) President and CEO Richard Bendis a 2017 Influential Marylander. Mr. Bendis is one of 51 Influential Marylanders who were selected by the publication for their significant contributions to their respective fields and leadership in the state.

“It’s an honor to be chosen as an Influential Marylander by The Daily Record. BHI has been working with our partners and other key stakeholders to help make Maryland a leader in the BioHealth Capital Region,” said Mr. Bendis. “Our success in supporting over 800 companies, scientists, and entrepreneurs since 2012 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire BHI team.”

Mr. Bendis, along with the other Influential Marylanders, will be presented their awards on March 23, 2017 at a reception and dinner at The Grand Lodge of Maryland. The winners will also be profiled in a special magazine that will be inserted into the March 24th issue of The Daily Record and available online at www.TheDailyRecord.com.

"Influential Marylanders help to shape their communities – our communities – for the better. They are at the pinnacle of their chosen professions and are role models for all of us," said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, publisher of The Daily Record. "Their hard work, determination and commitment to excellence help us to realize our own hopes and dreams. The Daily Record is honored to recognize their accomplishments."

About BioHealth Innovation, Inc.

BioHealth Innovation, Inc., is a regional innovation intermediary focused on commercializing market-relevant bio-health innovations and increasing access to early-stage funding in Maryland. BHI is known for providing commercial assistance to scientists and founders, educating and infusing Maryland's life science community with new and young entrepreneurs and fueling startups within Central Maryland's bio-ecosystem by connecting young companies to funding and business resources. Learn more at: www.biohealthinnovation.org

Click here to view all of the 2017 Influential Marylanders Honorees.

Details
Published:
bhi-biohealth-innovation-logo

BioHealth Innovation inked a pair of recent deals to run incubators in Montgomery County.

The Rockville-based organization that works to help health and life sciences startups in the region is set to manage the Germantown Innovation Center and the Rockville Innovation Center. It’s the first foray into running incubators for the public-private partnership, which also helps startups coming out of UMB and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.

Details
Published:
NewImage

Corvidia Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on the development of precision cardiovascular therapies, announced today that it has raised $26 million in a Series A financing, co-led by seed-investor Sofinnova Partners, and Apple Tree Partners.

Concurrent with the financing, Corvidia has licensed a clinical stage compound from AstraZeneca to develop and commercialize as its lead therapeutic (COR-001).  Funds from the Series A financing will be used to progress COR-001 into Phase I/II clinical trials during 2016, as well as to advance the company's preclinical pipeline.