Researchers say the sensor combines accuracy levels approaching that of PCR testing with the speed of rapid antigen tests, and could be used for mass testing at airports, schools, and hospitals  

Catherine Graham March 29, 2022  

A COVID-19 sensor developed at Johns Hopkins University could revolutionize virus testing by adding accuracy and speed to a process that frustrated many during the pandemic.  

In a new study published today in Nano Letters, the researchers describe the sensor, which requires no sample preparation and minimal operator expertise, offering a strong advantage over existing testing methods, especially for population-wide testing.  

President Joe Biden didn’t forget research today, when he submitted to Congress a 2023 budget request that calls for a 9.5% increase in domestic discretionary spending. Biden is asking for a 19% increase at the National Science Foundation (NSF), a 9.6% boost for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 4.5% more for the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science, and a 5% hike for NASA’s science missions. Once again, fighting climate change and boosting sustainable energy technologies also rank high among Biden’s research priorities.

Image: https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-biden/

As increasing effort and attention gets spent on making entrepreneur ecosystems more inclusive and diverse, women entrepreneurs still face challenges that their male counterparts may not.

That might include imposter syndrome stemming from being the only woman or person of color in a room of investors. It might mean few available business-building resources, or connections to those resources. Or a first-time entrepreneur might also be balancing uneven family responsibilities or taking care of a newborn.

Image: Startup Grind Maryland's March event speakers. (Image via startupgrind.com)

For venture capital, more money has led to new challenges. With U.S. venture smashing records for funds raised and funds deployed in 2021, the sector has become more competitive on both sides of the table: Entrepreneurs are able to be more selective about who they invite onto their cap tables, and VCs are fielding increased demand from limited partners (LPs) who want access to venture deals at earlier stages. 

What does this mean for the future of the U.S. venture ecosystem? One place to look for new trends is the formation of first funds by new venture firms, which are developing unique strategies to compete for early-stage deals. 

Image: https://carta.com/

These free 1:1 virtual sessions are 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 sign-up for any of the EIR dates in 2022, please follow this link.

Innovation is a principal driver of U.S. economic growth. In 2022, the U.S. will spend nearly $600 billion on research and development — more than any other country in the world and more than 25% of the world’s total — helping the nation rank third on the Global Innovation Index. According to the results of the ranking, knowledge and technology outputs are America’s particular strengths. Some of the biggest innovations the U.S. has produced recently are the COVID-19 vaccines.

Image: https://wallethub.com

MedTech Innovator is the largest and highest performing accelerator of medical technology in the world and the medtech industry’s premiere showcase and competition for innovative medical device, digital health and diagnostic companies.

• Our alumni have brought 90 products to the market, had 21 acquisitions and gone on to collectively raise over $4.1B in follow-on funding 
• Fun fact – MedTech Innovator alumni closed $1.5B in funding across 99 companies in 2021 alone 
• Our accelerator is remote-friendly, having operated as a virtual program since 2015 
• We are a founder-friendly nonprofit and do not require equity or fees for participation 
• Companies that have raised up to a Series C are eligible to apply

Although it’s not yet a state, DC was recognized in a new report as the country’s most innovative state, while its northern neighbor of Maryland landed three spots down at fourth place.

The report from WalletHub, a DC-based financial advice site, concluded that the district embraces economic and technological creativity more than any of the 50 actual states. Titled 2022’s Most & Least Innovative States, the study found that DC continues to grow innovation in its education, funding, research and new business creation realms. Meanwhile, Maryland came in at #4 and Virginia at #6 — a testament to the tech sector’s strength throughout the DMV and beyond — while Massachusetts and Washington state took the #2 and #3 spots.

Image: A visualization of WalletHub's findings. (Image via WalletHub report)

BALTIMORE, MD, March 24, 2022 – The University of Maryland (UM) BioPark today announced its newest tenant, NextStep Robotics Inc., a therapeutic device and robotics company creating advanced solutions to alleviate and eventually eliminate foot drop symptoms. NextStep, a company based on technology licensed from University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), will use its new 3,600-sq. ft. space to build out its manufacturing capabilities as well as a state-of-the-art biomechanics laboratory including advanced motion analysis systems.

“We are thrilled that NextStep Robotics selected the BioPark as their headquarters,” said Jane Shaab, associate vice president for economic development UMB and executive director of the BioPark. “Being located on UMB’s campus, the BioPark creates prime opportunities for our tenants to partner with and access the University’s incredible researchers, medical facilities, and resources.”

PASADENA, Calif., March 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), an urban office REIT and the first, longest-tenured and pioneering owner, operator and developer uniquely focused on collaborative life science, agtech and technology campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, today announced that its executive chairman and founder, Joel S. Marcus, will be honored at the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation's groundbreaking ceremony in Arlington, Texas, on Friday, March 25, 2022, to commemorate the historic mission-critical milestone in the development of the national museum. Representing Alexandria at the ceremony, Mr. Marcus, who serves on the board of directors of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, will join other foundation board members, major museum donors, government officials and 15 Medal of Honor recipients to commemorate the foundation's remarkable progress toward its goal to build a permanent home for a new national museum in Arlington, Texas. The events will be livestreamed for the public to watch.

HILDEN, Germany & GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today marked World TB Day by announcing its QuantiFERON blood test has been used to screen patients for tuberculosis (TB) infection more than 100 million times since its launch – an achievement that cements its status as the gold standard in the fight against this contagious and often deadly disease.

Used to test patients in over 130 countries, the fourth generation QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus assay identifies interferon-gamma released by T-cells following recognition of TB specific antigens as a marker of TB infection. Interferon gamma release assays (IGRA) require only one patient visit to a healthcare provider and are more accurate than the traditional two-visit skin test that has been used for over a century to detect the latent form of the infection.

Darryll J. Pines, President, University of Maryland, Joins BioTalk to discuss all things relating the University to the BioHealth Capital Region from Quantum to Workforce Development to Diversity and Equality

Listen now on Apple https://apple.co/3Iq9gqf, Google https://bit.ly/37NHFms, Spotify https://spoti.fi/3KZNziz, Amazon https://amzn.to/3ImyYvP, and TuneIn https://bit.ly/3IrYakN

Darryll J. Pines serves as president of the University of Maryland as well as the Glenn L. Martin Professor of Aerospace Engineering. 

Formerly the Nariman Farvardin Professor of Engineering and dean of UMD’s A. James Clark School of Engineering, where he has been on the faculty since 1995, Pines amassed a record of academic leadership and research accomplishments that have dramatically elevated the school’s rankings and stature nationally and internationally.  In 2019, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his “inspirational leadership and contributions to engineering education.” 

FREDERICK, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Maryland Tech Council, the largest technology and life sciences trade association in the state, today announced it has received $2.45 million in federal funding to accelerate innovation in Maryland. The community project funding is included in the fiscal year 2022 omnibus appropriations bill and made possible by the leadership of Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD), chair of the Senate Appropriations Financial Services and General Government subcommittee.

To make innovation a priority, hospitals and health systems must harness innovation efforts from the pandemic to stay ahead of the curve. Here, four health system and hospital innovation leaders share habits that are killing innovation.

Christine Brocato. System VP, Strategic Innovation of CommonSpirit Health (Chicago). Health systems are just recovering from the last COVID surge and there's a lot of concern about staffing levels and financials, which has hindered innovation as health systems have been focusing on immediate issues rather than future investments in innovation. 

The Prince William County Department of Economic Development, in partnership with Holladay Properties, cordially invites you to the Northern Virginia Bioscience Center Grand Opening Celebration on March 29, 2022 at 11:30 a.m.

Join us to commemorate the completion of 30,000 square feet in new commercial wet lab space reflecting more than $17.3 million in capital investment. Meet with elected officials from the Board of County Supervisors, GMU faculty and researchers, biotech business owners, and many more.

Lunch will be provided with attendee giveaways and opportunities to tour tenant spaces. Attendance is free, but please RSVP at pwcded.org/nvbc-rsvp by Friday, March 25, to advise of your attendance. We hope to see you there!

RSVP Here

Two years after beginning a collaborative strategic visioning process, only to pause in response to the urgent demands of the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Hopkins University is relaunching the work of evaluating Johns Hopkins' Ten by Twenty strategic vision and mapping the next phase of the university's future.

ROCKVILLE, Md., March 15, 2022—Today the Council voted on a resolution spearheaded by Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Nancy Navarro to create a Biohealth Opportunity Zone Incentive Program which will provide grants to attract Biohealth Priority Campuses to the County’s Opportunity Zones.  

The Biohealth Opportunity Zone Incentive Program approved today by the Council will provide a grant of $250,000 to any Biohealth Priority Campus located in a County Opportunity Zone, upon its receipt and occupancy permit. 

BioHealth Innovation and the BioHealth Capital Region mourn the loss of TaylorMade Experience LLC (TME) COO Juvale Regala (Jae). Jae has been an integral part of the annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum and Investment Conference, contributing to both events' planning and implementation. Without Jae's dedication, professionalism, and kindness, these events wouldn't have been the successes they were over the years. As a stage 4 acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Jae was a fighter for herself and her four daughters. As a result, a gofundme has been created to help her family financially during these difficult times. Please visit https://bit.ly/JaeRegala to donate to this worthy cause. Our deepest condolences to Jae's family and the TME team. We miss you, Jae.  

Rich Bendis, President & CEO, BioHealth Innovation

March 11 marked the sobering two-year anniversary of the World Health Organization’s declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. COVID-19 made clear that it can’t be business-as-usual with the medicines supply chain, not when lives are at stake. Since then, policymakers in Washington have committed billions of dollars to address vulnerabilities in pandemic preparedness infrastructure.

Sally Allain, Head of JLABS @ Washington, DC, and Dr. Kurt Newman, Pres/CEO of Children’s National Hospital sit down with Tien and Anthony to discuss how JLABS and Children’s National are impacting pediatric healthcare in our region and nationally, and why they partnered to create a research and innovation campus at the old Walter Reed Army base.

Image: https://jlabs.jnjinnovation.com/about-us/team/sally-allain

President Joe Biden last week got his wish for a new agency to fund high-risk, cutting-edge biomedical research when Congress created the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) and gave it a $1 billion startup investment. That’s a fraction of the $6.5 billion Biden had proposed, but advocates say it’s plenty to launch ARPA-H.

The 2022 spending bill does not resolve, however, a debate over whether to make ARPA-H a standalone agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Instead, it gives HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra 30 days to decide.

Image: https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Collins

BALTIMORE, MD (March 15, 2022) — Global biotechnology business Miltenyi Biotec is expanding its operations in Maryland and transferring its North American headquarters to Gaithersburg. The company is working on expanding its 1201 Clopper Road facility to support additional manufacturing, research and development, quality assurance, and more. Miltenyi Biotec plans to add 130 new full-time jobs in Maryland, giving it a total of 300 employees in the state by the end of the year.

“By selecting Maryland for its North American headquarters, Miltenyi Biotec will help us continue growing our industry and further our efforts in remaining one of the top 10 life sciences clusters in the nation,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “We welcome the company’s continued investment in Montgomery County and look forward to supporting their efforts in Maryland and across the globe.”

GAITHERSBURG, MD, March 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NexImmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: NEXI), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a novel approach to immunotherapy designed to orchestrate a targeted immune response by directing the function of antigen-specific T cells, today announced a research and evaluation collaboration with The Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and part of NYU Langone Health. The collaboration is centered around NexImmune’s artificial antigen presenting cells' (aAPCs) ability to expand neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cells in apheresis material provided by melanoma patients. Dr. Jeffrey S. Weber, Deputy Director of the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center will guide the research and evaluation.

New investment will enhance immunochemistry and chromatography services, helping pharma and biotech customers accelerate drug development  

March 14, 2022 08:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time  

WILMINGTON, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced it will invest $97 million to expand its clinical research operations in Richmond, Virginia. The facilities, which include laboratory operations acquired with the purchase of PPD, Inc. in December 2021, will support increasing demand across biopharma for consistent, high-quality laboratory services to accelerate drug development.  

“What do you envision for your company’s future?” is a typical question for startups. And many of the 45 companies pitching in nine categories during the 14th annual SXSW Pitch Event showed they had a clear strategy for where they want to take their business next.

But no matter what the future holds, we all benefit from the inspired and imaginative minds solving today’s problems in both emerging and traditional industries like artificial intelligence and robotics, health, immersive, and transportation.

Mutual self-interest provides a strong basis for transatlantic cooperation in biotechnology based on shared recognition of its vast potential to provide solutions to some of civilization’s most pressing problems. Thanks to explosive advances in our understanding of the many ways in which promiscuous nature has been manipulating DNA and RNA for the past billion years, it is widely anticipated that the 21st century will belong to biology.1 We are now at the point where our ability to innovate is constrained less by technical capability than by the limits of our imaginations. Multiple laboratories and companies on both sides of the Atlantic (and throughout the world) are pursuing promising applications, and experience confirms progress would be accelerated by cooperative approaches. But there are some considerable challenges, especially in agricultural and industrial contexts.

Ken Malone, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Early Charm Ventures, Joins BioTalk to discuss his career path, loving Baltimore, and what he sees as next for the BioHealth Capital Region

Listen now via Apple https://apple.co/3MRn94f, Google https://bit.ly/3tTPIpg, Spotify https://spoti.fi/36gfJXw, Amazon https://amzn.to/3MNckQG, and TuneIn https://bit.ly/3i3H3e7.

Ken Malone is a co-founder of Early Charm Ventures, a venture studio founded in 2012 in Baltimore (Charm City) that converts science to business. Early Charm specializes in taking brilliant scientific discoveries made at universities and turning them into companies focused on growth. They don’t chase quick exits. They build companies that create sustainable value.

Click here to view the transcript.

-  'We Do Vaccines' and 'Know Our Vax' are new educational efforts that provide information regarding vaccines

-  Programs explain Novavax' commitment to vaccine development and innovation

GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, today announced the launch of its global unbranded 'We Do Vaccines' and 'Know Our Vax' programs, educational efforts aimed to help protect the health of people everywhere in the fight against COVID-19 and other deadly infectious diseases, such as influenza.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) today announced that it has dosed the first participant in its Phase 1 study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of stabilized isoamyl nitrite (SIAN), a treatment being developed for known or suspected acute cyanide poisoning. Under an existing multi-year contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and in collaboration with the Southwest Research Institute, Emergent is developing a single-use intranasal spray intended for administration by first responders and medical personnel following a cyanide incident.

“Emergent’s R&D efforts are grounded in our mission – to protect and enhance life,” said Kelly Warfield, Ph.D., senior vice president, research and development at Emergent BioSolutions. “We are committed to advancing unique programs like SIAN, which addresses the need for an easily administered first-line treatment for cyanide poisoning. Intranasal SIAN is being developed for potential use by both civilians and first responders and is part of our portfolio of medical countermeasures focused on priority public health threats identified by the U.S. government.”

The Bethesda-based developer is preparing two developments under the moniker "EvolutionLabs" to take advantage of the growing life sciences demand in the county, including a 550K SF development near Pike & Rose, the developer announced Thursday. 

That project, EvolutionLabs at North Bethesda, is planned to include three buildings at the intersection of Old Georgetown and Banneker roads. The first groundbreaking there would be in 2024, according to the release. Stonebridge is under contract to acquire the land for that project, Stonebridge principal Kent Marquis told Bisnow in an email. 

The property will take advantage of the "urban, walkable, transit-oriented," spaces under development near the White Flint Metro station, Marquis said.

Image: Courtesy of Cannon Design Stonebridge and Principal Real Estate's EvolutionLabs concept at 9713 Washingtonian Blvd.

In 2003, a group of University of Maryland officials approached then-mayor Martin O’Malley with a development plan for vacant land along West Baltimore Street, adjacent to University of Maryland, Baltimore’s campus. Today, this ambitious project, the University of Maryland BioPark, boasts nearly three dozen life science companies, ranging from leading global firms to mature companies to early-stage ventures. In recent years, the BioPark has attracted a cluster of early-stage medical device companies. For these young companies, the BioPark offers something even more important than a corporate headquarters: a location on UMB’s campus and in the heart of Maryland’s biomed ecosystem.

Image: https://technical.ly/

BALTIMORE — The University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Medicine have announced they will send more than $4 million worth of medical supplies to support Ukraine, and plan on sending more.

The two major hospital systems are sending items including airway aspirators, medical air compressors, beds, oxygen concentrators, positive pressure ventilators, face masks and shields, respirator kits, gowns, gloves and syringes, according to a press release.

The donation will help clinicians in Ukraine provide emergency medical care in the wake of Russia's invasion.

Mohan Suntha, president and CEO of UMMS, said he plans "to send additional supplies in the future."

Image: Photo by: University of Maryland Medical System Supplies for Ukraine

The Maryland Tech Council has launched two new regional satellite chapters to directly focus on the burgeoning technology sectors in Greater Baltimore and Prince George's County.

The tech council (MCT) is Maryland's largest technology and life sciences trade association with more than 450 members. The Baltimore and Prince George's regional councils are the first sub-chapters launched by the organization.

Image: Marty Rosendale, CEO of the Maryland Tech Council, said the organization created regional chapters "to intentionally unite and empower stakeholders through local advocacy, outreach and growth." Maryland Tech Council

Human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are being used in the clinic to prevent or treat SARS-CoV-2 infection, and experience thus far suggests that combinations of antibodies are potentially able to sustain broad recognition of viral variants as they arise, but developing, testing and approving mAb combination products is complex. One approach to reducing the logistical challenges of combination products is the development of bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) (Fig. 1). In this issue of Nature Immunology, Li et al. report the development and testing of an engineered bispecific human mAb against SARS-CoV-21.

Image: https://www.nature.com

Casimir Further Differentiates Emmes' Industry-Leading Rare Disease Research Capabilities

ROCKVILLE, Md., March 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Emmes, a global, full-service Clinical Research Organization (CRO) dedicated to supporting the advancement of public health and biopharmaceutical innovation, today announced that it has acquired Casimir, a U.S.-based CRO. Casimir has experience in more than 20 rare diseases and has worked with regulators, sponsors and patients to develop outcome measures that capture the nuances of disease progression and treatment benefit.