HERNDON, VA. (PRWEB) FEBRUARY 08, 2023

Global life expectancy has more than doubled over the last two centuries, from less than 30 years to more than 72 years.(1) Despite the advances during the ‘golden age of medicine’ throughout the first half of the 20th century, for persons living with rare diseases, 26% still die before the age of five, and depending on the severity of the disease, 37% have a reduced life expectancy.(2) Pharmaceutical companies were historically loathe to research and develop life-saving drugs and treatments for rare diseases because it wasn’t profitable marketing drugs to such a small segment of the population. Rare disease patients became known as ‘orphans,’ having been abandoned by prescription drug manufacturers.(3) In 1983, the U.S. Congress passed the Orphan Drug Act to incentivize drug manufacturers to pursue the development of drug treatments for rare diseases. Dr. Harsha Rajasimha is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Indo-US Organization for Rare Diseases (IndoUSrare), a not-for-profit organization that seeks to bridge the gap between the western and eastern hemispheres when it comes to orphan diseases. He notes, “It has been 40 years since this watershed moment in the research and development of treatments for rare diseases. While we celebrate our significant progress, we must continue to look toward the still foggy road ahead.”

2022 was an incredibly productive year for American scientists. Biopharmaceutical researchers conducted over 7,000 clinical programs, including more than 3,000 for cancer, 182 for cardiovascular diseases, 111 for Alzheimer's, and 57 for Type II diabetes. Importantly, 77% of these therapeutics originated at small biotech companies working toward their first breakthrough.

The biggest controversy surrounding the Bayh-Dole Act — which allows academic institutions and private contractors to own and manage inventions they make with federal funds — is the false claim that the law allows the government to relicense patents on these inventions to ensure that prices of resulting products are “reasonable.” While this claim has been widely bandied about, it has been rejected by every administration that has considered it for the past 20 years because that’s not how the law works. Still, attempts to undermine Bayh-Dole in this way continue.

Dear scientific community,

The European programme ApogeeBio has launched the 2nd international call for 12 postdoctoral positions in Genopole biocluster, Paris region (FR).

It offers attractive allocations, up to €3000 net monthly salary for 24 months duration and hosting possibilities in both academic and private sectors within Genopole campus

The deadline is extended to February 28, 2023

ApogeeBio programme and its partners provide the fellows with a support in the income mobility organization and in setting  their career development plan after the postodoc period.

Please so not hesitate to share with your networks. More here >>> https://bit.ly/ApogeeBio2022Call

KaloCyte’s experimental synthetic red blood cell product ErythroMer could provide a solution to the high need for treating trauma in both military and civilian settings. The company was tapped to participate in a federally-funded program to develop a synthetic blood substitute.

Image: https://biobuzz.io/

Richmond, Virginia, Feb. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Phlow Corp., a U.S.-based public benefit corporation leveraging advanced manufacturing processes to re-imagine the domestic production of pharmaceutical products critical to U.S. healthcare, announced today the formation of the Phlow Business Advisory Board made up of internationally recognized pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare leaders who bring a wealth of knowledge and industry experience to the company; the addition of Melinda Hancock of Sentara Health System to Phlow’s Board of Directors; and the promotion of Dan Hackman from Chief Business Officer to President.

Stronger sales in Europe and the U.S. helped offset declining demand in Japan for the Medical Business Unit of Japanese industrial conglomerate Canon for the company’s fiscal 2022. The company said that sales in the medical division grew almost 7%, to the highest level in the history of the business unit.

For the year, Canon Medical saw sales of 513.3 billion yen ($3.970 billion), representing growth of 6.9% compared to the full-year 2021 numbers. The medical division’s income before taxes fell by 7% to 31.9 billion yen ($246.7 million) – the prior-year numbers were boosted by an increase in deductions related to a corporate acquisition.

Image: https://caseyinsights.com/

⦁ First placebo-controlled study of an engineered cell therapy

Gaithersburg, MD, January 31, 2023 – Cartesian Therapeutics, a fully integrated, clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering RNA cell therapies for autoimmune diseases and cancer, has dosed the first participant in its Phase 2b randomized controlled trial (RCT) for generalized myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disorder that causes muscle weakness and fatigue. The RCT will evaluate the efficacy and safety of the company’s lead asset, Descartes-08, a first-in-class, RNA-engineered chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (rCAR-T).

AURP’s BioHealth Caucus will examine topics, including:

• Economic impact of the biotech industry in the U.S.
• New biotech hubs growing in VA, NC, OK, MO, and NH
• Building the biotechnician workforce
• Bio innovation impact from the federal multi-billion-dollar CHIPS + Science Act
• Significance of the Bayh-Dole Act and life science IP to keep the U.S. competitive
• Bio manufacturing in space
• Award winning life science incubators, accelerators, and labs
• Importance of the business press covering the biotechnology community
• NIH funding for small business bio hubs
• Emerging role of quantum computing in drug discovery
• Special presentations from state bio infrastructure in MA and MD
• Plus, an optional tour of Harvard’s Science and Engineering building and Harvard Allston Enterprise Research Park

The newly established Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) will accelerate cutting-edge biomedical and health research, moving discoveries from the laboratory to patients more quickly, sustainably and equitably than ever before. As the agency seeks to remove roadblocks to solving some of the biggest challenges in health today, Montgomery County, Md., is uniquely positioned to support this crucial federal agency and the ideal home for ARPA-H.

Image: MCEDC

TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, Tuesday announced the selection of 24 Maryland companies to participate in the FY2023 FAST SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab cohort.

This program, now in its fifth year, supports companies in the cohort, allowing them to work with TEDCO experts on preparing polished proposals for up to $275,000 in federal awards through the SBIR/STTR Phase 1 program.

The companies in this year’s cohort encompass a variety of technology disciplines, from medical devices to quantum computing to even biomanufacturing.

Prince George's County, Maryland based Medcura’s is pioneering a proprietary biosurgical technology that has repeatedly demonstrated the rapid arrest of difficult-to-control surgical bleeding. With help from TEDCO, a Maryland based venture capital leader, Medcura is working to become the next standard of care in surgical bleeding management. In the television program “Stephen Hawking’s Science of the Future” Medcura was featured in an episode as a top innovative product of this decade for its ability to quickly stop bleeds using naturally abundant and highly economical ingredients.

Click here for more.

GAITHERSBURG, M.D. – Transwestern Real Estate Services (TRS) announces Quality Biological, Inc. has signed a 24,000-square-foot lease at Shady Grove Development Park, a 745,000-square-foot, 10-building mixed-use project in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Transwestern Senior Vice Presidents Guy Copperthite and Jim Darby represented Quality Biological in negotiations with property owner Minkoff Development Corporation.

Quality Biological has provided contract manufacturing solutions to the life science and biotech research industry for nearly 40 years. The company takes occupancy of its new space in July 2023.

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Announces Research Agreement with University of Maryland, Baltimore, to Study TNX-1500 (Fc-modified anti-CD40L mAb) for the Prevention of Rejection in Heart Xenograft Transplantation in Animals

Research Study to Assess the Role of TNX-1500 in the Prevention of Heart Xenograft Rejection

Preclinical Xenotransplantation Studies are Expected to Support Regulatory Filings for TNX-1500

CHATHAM, N.J., Feb. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the Company), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced that it has entered into a sponsored research agreement with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), for the prevention of rejection in heart xenograft transplantation in animals utilizing TNX-1500¹, an Fc-modified humanized monoclonal antibody directed against CD40-ligand. UMB’s preclinical studies will utilize genetically-modified porcine hearts supplied by Revivicor, Inc., a subsidiary of United Therapeutics Corporation. The principal investigator is Muhammad M. Mohiuddin, M.D., MBBS, Professor of Surgery, and Director, Cardiac Xenotransplantation Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Jan. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AMPEL BioSolutions today announces a breakthrough in precision and personalized medicine that could revolutionize the way doctors treat chronic pain syndromes, such as fibromyalgia. Revealed in the peer-reviewed journal Lupus Science and Medicine, the paper details AMPEL's breakthrough approach to characterize the underlying disease activity from gene expression data obtained from patient blood samples.

The FibroGENE^® lab test, only a concept for the last few years, is now ready for development for practical use as a decision support biomarker test that could greatly impact health care by allowing physicians to identify the cause of patient disease symptoms and select appropriate treatment more precisely.  AMPEL's initial focus is fibromyalgia that affects Lupus patients, but the test can be used for millions of Americans diagnosed with fibromyalgia every year.

GERMANTOWN, Md., Jan. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Deka Biosciences ("Deka"), a biotech company focused on developing novel cytokine therapies to treat cancer and inflammatory diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed its review of the investigational new drug (IND) application for DK210 (EGFR) and concluded that Deka may proceed with a Phase 1 clinical trial in the United States. The Phase 1, first-in-human, multicenter clinical study seeks to characterize the safety, and biomarkers for response of DK210 (EGFR) in patients with advanced solid cancer who are overexpressing epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) (NCT05704985).

Germantown’s Precigen Inc. (NASDAQ: PGEN) has raised $75 million in a public offering that closed Friday and intends to use the proceeds to speed development of its experimental treatments for multiple rare diseases.

The clinical-stage biotech, which is developing gene and cell therapies for cancers, autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases, sold 42.86 million shares of common stock for $1.75 each. The company also gave the underwriters an option to buy up to 6.43 million additional shares in the 30 days after it filed an updated prospectus Jan. 26 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This free 1:1 virtual session is an opportunity to discuss your company with experts in diagnostics, therapeutics, digital health and medical devices.

If you’re a growth-stage biohealth company looking for unbiased advice on your pitch deck, commercialization strategy, evidence development or entrepreneurial challenges, our EIRs can help.

To request a feedback session, please send a non-confidential pitch deck, and a short description of the input you’re seeking from the EIRs, to Sarah Miller   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,this)" rel="noreferrer">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

The requested information should be received by our office at least 2 weeks in advance, so that we can schedule the appropriate experts. 

By Cho KyooHong

On Jan. 9, the Ministry of Health and Welfare reported to President Yoon Suk Yeol concerning its 2023 plan, of which the main tasks include leaping forward as a leading country in the field of biohealth through human resource cultivation, deregulation and export support.

Noting that a large number of quality jobs can be created as the biohealth industry grows, President Yoon called for strong support from the government for domestic enterprises to be up to global standards, which requires a tax benefit corresponding to that of the semiconductor sector, capacity development and a solid industrial ecosystem.

Image: Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyoo-hong

BHI Life Science Business Strategists Monique Bennett and Kelly Murphy join host Rich Bendis to talk about BioHealth Commercialization, Proposal Assistance, and Submissions for Entrepreneurs and Start-Ups

Listen now via Apple https://apple.co/3RoZb35, Google https://bit.ly/3JqvzQN, and Spotify https://spoti.fi/3WPibcj.

Novavax Announces Plan to Deliver Updated Protein-based Vaccine Consistent with FDA Recommendations for 2023/2024 Vaccination Season at VRBPAC Meeting

Jan 27, 2023

FDA Advisory Committee votes to harmonize vaccine strain composition of primary series and booster doses Novavax’ protein-based option remains an important part of the current U.S. vaccine portfolio

Novavax participated in yesterday’s U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee’s (VRBPAC) meeting, which resulted in a unanimous vote recommending harmonizing vaccine strain composition of primary series and booster doses. During the meeting, Novavax shared data demonstrating that the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (NVX-CoV2373), when used as a booster induces a broad functional immune response, including against forward drift variants.

It's the largest pool of capital the company has raised in its 46-year history.

Image: Workday Inc. is among the more than 270 companies New Enterprises Associates has invested in that later went public. TODD JOHNSON | SAN FRANCISCO BUSINESS TIMES

Pennovation Works, the 23-acre University of Pennsylvania property just across the Schuylkill River from the core campus, has long been a site for innovation. Home to a ferry business in the 18th century, a paint company in the 19th century, and a DuPont chemical research facility for much of the 20th century, the space underwent a further transformation in 2016 with the establishment of the Pennovation Center, an incubator for science and technology startups, many of which have their origins within the University. Last year, the 65,000 square foot Pennovation Lab opened, offering larger lab spaces for companies outgrowing their previous locations.

Image: A view of the new research, development, and biomanufacturing facility from the intersection of Grays Ferry Avenue and 34th Street on the Pennovation Works property. (Image: Longfellow Real Estate Partners)

In conversation with Mathias Alder, CEO of Gain Therapeutics discussing his personal life insights and professional achievements in the field of Computational Drug Discovery. Matt Pillar:  A few months ago, I set out to learn as much about computational biology and as myriad applications in Biotech as I could. And on more than one occasion, that effort led me to a Zoom call with Matthias Alder. That my inquiry resulted in multiple opportunities to talk with Matthias made me happy. One, because he’s a really great guy, and two, because while his company’s drug discovery model leans heavily into proprietary structure based computational methods, he’s not one of these bombastic, over the top futurists who’s all in on relinquishing science to the algorithms. Just the opposite, he’s pragmatic and practical about the advantages and the limitations of deploying computational tools in an industry whose mission it is to save lives by injecting things into living human bodies.

As many of us were winding down our work over the winter holidays, my colleagues at the University System of Maryland were putting the finishing touches on our 2022 Annual Report. And while the new year compels us to look ahead with purpose, the report gives us a chance to look back at what's brought us to our place of strength.

The annual report breaks down progress on our five strategic priorities: Innovate the education we provide our students. Make that education accessible to all. Prepare students for jobs that will write Maryland's future. Conduct and commercialize research that changes the world. Center equity and justice in everything we do.

At first glance, it seems like a rough time for venture capital, especially in the healthcare industry. Overall, venture investments in 2022 were down 35% from 2021, according to CB Insights, with digital health investments down over 50%. Biopharma investment beat the trend a little bit, according to Evaluate Vantage, down only 23% from the year before.

Image: Dimension founders Zavian Dar, Adam Goulburn and Nan LiDIMENSION

The biotechnology industry is one of the riskiest and the most challenging—but it is also one of the few that makes the difference between life and death.

In recent years, biotech has given us major breakthroughs: vaccines that provide protection from lethal viruses; a lupus treatment approved for use in children with the first new mechanism of action in more than 50 years; and significant progress in hematology with the approval of a bispecific antibody for multiple myeloma.

Image: Dinesh Patel, PhD, CEO of Protagonist Therapeutics (PTGX)

ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Montgomery County companies had a record year of investment in 2022, with more than $29.9 billion in combined initial public offering (IPO), merger and acquisition, private investment and venture capital deals. That is an increase from $4 billion in 2020 and more than $18 billion in 2021. In all, Montgomery County had 144 deals across 126 companies in 2022.

"The record investment in Montgomery County companies is a testament to the region's remarkable climate of business growth and innovation," said Bill Tompkins, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation. "We are a premier destination with a powerful network of existing businesses across a wide range of industries. Our deep talent pool, diverse and vibrant communities, and proximity to the federal agencies including the Departments of Transportation and Energy, FDA, and NIH position the County's companies for success."

QuartzBio, a Part of Precision for Medicine, Acquires SolveBio and Expands Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Data Management Solutions for Clinical Research & Development (R&D)

QuartzBio’s suite of end-to-end SaaS solutions provides pharmaceutical and biotech clients with a fully connected data ecosystem linking sample, biomarker, and clinical data to improve collaboration, planning, and R&D productivity.

Frederick, MD – January 24, 2023 – Precision for Medicine, the first global, precision medicine clinical research services organization, today announced the strategic acquisition of SolveBio by QuartzBio.

SolveBio’s intelligent technologies and enterprise data management platform has integrated into QuartzBio’s suite of SaaS solutions, providing a single, scalable solution supporting clinical sample inventory management and biomarker data management for the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.

The Technology Transfer Society – Washington D.C. chapter is running an Introduction to Technology Transfer and Commercialization course in conjunction with Montgomery College. The course will be given in a hybrid format to allow for both virtual and in-person attendance.

This course is intended to provide students with an overview of the entire technology transfer process – moving technologies from the lab to market. This course is a great overview for anyone interested in learning more about the operations of a technology transfer office or those looking to understand how to commercialize their own invention. Students will hear from experienced professionals to broaden their understanding of technology transfer.

This Spring 2023 course (SMB035) will take place starting February 8^th  on the Montgomery College Rockville Campus each Wednesday from 6-8:40 p.m. For more details on the course see here .

By Alex Keown
January 24, 2023

BioHealth Innovation’s lofty goal of the BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR) achievement of “Top 3 by 2023” is not likely to be reached this year due to inflation and uncertain economic conditions.

That’s the assessment of Rich Bendis, President and Chief Executive Officer of BHI, who has championed the region’s transition into a top four biopharma hub in the United States. However, given the state of the economy and the amount of money being invested, Bendis said it is unrealistic to expect the region to move up the ranking of the top 10 life sciences regions compiled by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN).

The Bear Institute, a pediatric health IT collaboration between Washington, D.C.-based Children's National Hospital and Oracle Health, has named four startup companies as the winners of its second annual pediatric digital health innovation competition.

The competition, dubbed the Bear Institute Pediatric Accelerator Challenge for Kids, allows startups to share their innovations and receive feedback from judges while competing for a chance to win an on-site pilot and software development support, according to a Jan. 17 release from Children's National.

TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, unveiled a legislatively mandated Maryland Innovation Competitiveness Study—one that could lead to a 5-year, $250 million down payment for an Equitech Growth Fund and the establishment of a major Kirwan-type commission. The new commission would map out an in-depth strategic plan focused on ensuring Maryland becomes a national model for a thriving, inclusive tech sector and innovation economy.

Luis Gutiérrez and John K. Hsu join the growing collaboration being BHI and NIH in 2023

ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, January 23, 2021 – BioHealth Innovation Inc. (BHI) announces the addition of Luis Gutiérrez and John K. Hsu, Ph.D., J.D., to the growing Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIR) team. Luis will work with the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER), while John will work with The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

The OER manages the NIH’s extramural research program, providing guidance and support to staff, grantees, and the public on funding opportunities, policies, and regulations. It also oversees the review, award, and administration of grants and contracts for biomedical and behavioral research conducted outside of the NIH. In addition, the NHLBI conducts and supports research on the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases. It also works to improve the health of individuals and populations through education and public health initiatives.

BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) and Montgomery County are pleased to announce the selection of Kevin Heller, MD as a part-time “Executive in Residence”—a position dedicated to providing 1:1 technical assistance to Montgomery County-based biotech and medtech startups.

Heller will join two previously announced “MoCo” Executives in Residence, Jen Butler and Luis Guitierrez, who have been working closely with local entrepreneurs since November.

“​I am eager to join Jen and Luis as we strengthen our community’s biohealth cluster,” said Heller. “Starting and growing a successful biotech company takes patience, perseverance, and resources. Supporting the next generation of life sciences entrepreneurs is critical from a long-term public health perspective and from a local economic development standpoint.”