In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis, President and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, Inc., welcomes guests from ARPA-H: Craig Gravitz, Director of the Project Accelerator Transition Innovation Office (PATIO), and Jenica Patterson, Ph.D., Portfolio Lead at ARPA-H. Together, they provide a comprehensive overview of ARPA-H's mission and innovative programs.

Craig Gravitz and Jenica Patterson share their educational and career backgrounds, setting the stage for a discussion about ARPA-H and its various initiatives. They provide insights into how ARPA-H differentiates itself from other agencies like HHS and NIH, while also highlighting their collaborative efforts.

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Listeners will learn about the Project Accelerator Transition Innovation Office (PATIO) and its crucial role within ARPA-H. Jenica Patterson discusses her portfolio, including key areas and projects, and provides details on the new women's sprint for health initiative and its funding tracks.

GSK and Flagship Pioneering have entered into a partnership worth up to $7bn to discover and develop novel medicines and vaccines for a range of conditions.

Bringing together GSK’s expertise in disease and development capability via Flagship’s ecosystem of bioplatform companies, the collaboration aims to develop a portfolio of up to ten future medicines and vaccines, beginning in respiratory and immunology, which will each be subject to an exclusive option by GSK for further clinical development.

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Theriva™ Biologics, Inc. (NYSE American: TOVX), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Rare Pediatric Drug Designation (RPDD) for VCN-01 for the treatment of retinoblastoma. VCN-01, Theriva’s lead product candidate, is a systemic, selective, stroma-degrading oncolytic adenovirus. Previously, the FDA granted orphan drug designation to VCN-01 for treatment of retinoblastoma.

HONG KONG, GERMANTOWN, Md. and SUZHOU, China, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sirnaomics Ltd. (the "Company", Stock Code: 2257.HK, together with its subsidiaries, the "Group" or "Sirnaomics"), a leading biopharmaceutical company engaging in discovery and development of advanced RNAi therapeutics, today announced a partnership with Gore Range Capital LLC ("Gore Range Capital") (Dallas, TX, USA) for establishment of a joint venture, Sagesse Bio, Inc., to advance its novel RNAi therapeutic products into aesthetic medicine.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) announced the sale of RSDL^® (Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion) kit to SERB Pharmaceuticals, a global pharmaceutical company, for a purchase price of approximately $75 million. In addition, SERB will pay Emergent a $5 million payment upon achievement of a milestone related to the sourcing of a certain component of RSDL^®. The transaction has signed and closed simultaneously. 

In addition, SERB will acquire and maintain operations of Emergent’s leased manufacturing facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and several site-based employees who support RSDL^® will join SERB. SERB will also acquire the RSDL^® product inventory as part of the transaction and will assume certain related contracts. Emergent’s Winnipeg facility will continue to manufacture and supply bulk lotion to SERB under a long-term supply agreement between the two companies.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Georgiamune Inc., a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company, announced that the first patient has been dosed with GIM-531 in a first-in-human, phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of advanced cancer patients. GIM-531 development focuses on indications that are currently not addressed with existing or available immunotherapies including anti-PD-1 antibodies. It is an oral therapy that is a first-in-class selective T regulatory cell inhibitor.

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 30, 2024—The Montgomery County Council voted today to approve the Planning Board Draft of the Great Seneca Plan: Connecting Life and Science with revisions. The plan covers 4,330 acres located in the heart of the I-270 Corridor between the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville and the town of Washington Grove. The Plan makes recommendations to strengthen the economic competitiveness of the Life Sciences Center, guide future developments, and transform public spaces and amenities in the area to provide valuable links and social spaces. 

“The Great Seneca Science Corridor is one of Montgomery County’s most important strategic areas, as the heart of our globally recognized biohealth industry with world-class research, education, and health care facilities,” said Council President Andrew Friedson who also chairs the Planning, Housing and Parks (PHP) Committee. “This plan builds on that strength by creating a more sustainable and vibrant community with greater connectivity to improve quality of life and economic competitiveness.”

By Dan Brendel – Staff Reporter, Washington Business Journal -Jul 29, 2024 - Montgomery County and Metro have announced a formal partnership and preliminary developer solicitation to pave the way for up to 3.7 million square feet of life science-focused mixed-used development in North Bethesda, the economic development apple of Montgomery County’s eye.

The county and transit authority signed a memorandum of understanding and announced a request for qualifications on Monday, beginning the hunt for a development partner to build a University of Maryland-anchored project, integrated with a new North Bethesda Metro station entrance, on 14 noncontiguous acres of vacant Metro-owned land at the southeast corner of Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road.

Read more ...

COLUMBIA, Md., (July 29, 2024) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced a recent $100,000 Pre-Seed Builder Fund investment in Azadi Health. TEDCO’s Pre-Seed Builder Fund is housed under TEDCO’s Social Impact Funds which were created to engage and invest in economically underserved founders and communities.

BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) proudly recognizes the $500,000 investment from TEDCO in Solaxa Inc., a Bethesda-based biopharmaceutical company. Led by Founder & CEO Christian Walker, Solaxa is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of aminopyridine drugs that both detect and treat ion channel dysfunction. Previous research has shown that aminopyridines can improve nerve signaling and muscle function in patients with Multiple Sclerosis, and Solaxa is presently researching additional benefits in patients with other nerve disorders. Solaxa is organized as a for-profit public benefit corporation, with a mission to advance scientific knowledge and deliver impactful and accessible therapies that improve outcomes for patients worldwide.   

Prior to this investment from TEDCO, Solaxa was recognized as the “Best of Montgomery” finalist at the 7^th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Crab Trap Pitch Competition in September 2023. Even more recently, Solaxa was recognized as “Venture of the Year” by the Maryland Tech Council in May 2024.  

In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis, President and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, Inc., speaks with Alex Philippidis, Senior Business Editor at Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. Alex joins the podcast to discuss the latest Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters list, where the BioHealth Capital Region secured its #3 ranking for the second consecutive year.

The conversation highlights the factors that contributed to the success of the top biopharma clusters, focusing on early investments in biotech, the generation of high-quality science, building networks with partners, and broadening clusters beyond anchor businesses. Alex elaborates on how these regions have sustained their scientific excellence and the long-lasting impact of pioneering efforts.

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July 25, 2024 / By Laura Powers: Researchers in George Mason University’s Center for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR) and Tulane National Primate Research Center conducted a breakthrough proof-of-concept study, published in Nature’s Gene Therapy, that found a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-like virus particle that could cease the need for lifelong medications. Scientists have made great strides in the treatment of HIV over the past few decades, yet those with the virus must still take antiretroviral therapy for life as the disease is difficult to eradicate. 

In celebration of the three-year anniversary of JLABS @ Washington, DC (JLABS DC), it’s great timing to highlight recent accomplishments and milestones reached by incubating and regional companies. Additionally, JLABS DC is excited to share new access to specialized lab equipment to support more innovators within the region. 

Since the start of 2024, there has been continued success for incubating companies that reside at JLABS DC. Examples with recent funding announcements include Nanochon, raising $4 million in a Series Seed Prime, Acclinate closing $7 million in a Series A round, and Tiny Cargo securing investment from Virginia Ventures Partners. 

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SXTP; SXTPW) (the “Company”), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing new medicines for infectious diseases, announced today that it has been awarded a fixed-price contract with the United States Army Medical Materiel Development Activity to support commercial validation of new bottle and replacement blister packaging of ARAKODA^® (tafenoquine), the Company’s malaria prevention product.

This follows the implementation of an increased tablet compression batch size in Q1 2024, planned in anticipation of increasing sales volume in 2024. Recently, 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals announced that Q1 2024 ARAKODA net sales revenues increased 515% year-over-year to $105.7 thousand.

Ready to take your business to the global stage? Join the Maryland Global Consulting Program through the Robert H. Smith School of Business Center for Global Business and tap into the vibrant export ecosystem right here in Maryland. Gain invaluable insights and resources to expand your company's global footprint and tackle international business challenges head-on.

Benefits of the Program

1. Customized Consulting Support: Work closely with a dedicated team of business students to develop strategies for global market expansion or address specific international business challenges tailored to your company's needs. Student teams dedicate a minimum of 10 hours per week per semester to a single consulting project. 

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BullFrog AI Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BFRG; BFRGW) ("BullFrog AI" or the "Company"), a leader in AI-driven drug discovery, announced significant advancements in its ongoing collaboration with the Lieber Institute for Brain Development (LIBD). Building on the progress detailed in our May 16, 2024 release, our research has now pinpointed specific molecular pathways associated with bipolar disorder (BD), enabling the identification of new candidate drug targets.

The BioHealth Capital Region (Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.) has successfully retained its position as the #3 biopharma cluster in the U.S. for 2024. This impressive ranking underscores the region’s ongoing strength in innovation and investment, highlighted by major expansions and investments from leading companies and institutions. Despite facing some challenges, the region continues to lead in patents, NIH funding, and lab space.

From 

Alex Philippidis' remarks:

The BioHealth Capital Region has generated enough positive news to retain the number-three ranking it earned and celebrated last year. QIAGEN and Frederick County, MD, officials on July 12 announced completion of a 40,000-square-foot expansion of the company’s Frederick, MD, facility, creating a 75,000-square-foot site focused on next-generation sequencing, genomics, clinical healthcare, and forensics. AstraZeneca is investing $300 million in a new manufacturing facility in Rockville, MD, with plans to create 150 new jobs when the site opens in 2026. Across the state line, The University of Virginia is constructing the $300 million Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology in Charlottesville; named for chairman and CEO of PBM Capital and his wife.

On July 25, 2024, the FDA will host a significant virtual public meeting, "Home as a Health Care Hub – Stakeholder Listening Session," from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET. This session aims to explore how integrating home environments into the healthcare system can enhance health equity and patient care. The FDA seeks input from various stakeholders to identify both barriers and opportunities in this integration. Additionally, the initiative includes developing VR prototypes for managing conditions like diabetes.

Stakeholders are encouraged to register, participate, and submit comments or presentations ahead of the event.

For more information and registration details, Click here.

GERMANTOWN, Md., July 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Precigen, Inc. (Nasdaq: PGEN), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of innovative gene and cell therapies to improve the lives of patients, today announced the appointment of Phil Tennant as the Company's chief commercial officer. Mr. Tennant will be responsible for commercial strategy and execution across US and global markets. His initial focus will be on driving commercial readiness activities for the potential launch of the first- and best-in-class PRGN-2012 AdenoVerse gene therapy in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). Mr. Tennant will report to Precigen's President and CEO, Helen Sabzevari, PhD, and will join Precigen's executive leadership team.

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Emmes Group, a leading specialty tech-enabled global contract research organization (CRO), today announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Miimansa AI. A critical pillar of the partnership, aimed at revolutionizing clinical research at Emmes, is the acquisition of Miimansa's Clinical Entity Modeling tools based on advanced large language modeling (LLM) techniques and generative AI.

Artificial intelligence (AI) promises to transform all aspects of healthcare including clinical research. Emmes Group is rapidly maturing its technology platform, Veridix AI, and Miimansa's Clinical Entity Modeling technology will serve as a critical building block to accelerate the development of state-of-the-art automated text processing solutions tailored for clinical research.

Maryland-based biopharmaceutical company receives funding from TEDCO’s Venture Funds'

COLUMBIA, Md., (July 23, 2024) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced a recent $500,000 investment in Solaxa Inc. This investment is from TEDCO’s Venture Funds, with $200,000 being allocated from the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funding.

“At Solaxa, we are developing neurorestorative treatments for children and adults suffering from rare neurodegenerative diseases and acute nerve injuries,” said Christian Walker, CEO and founder of Solaxa. “Thanks to TEDCO’s investment, we can accelerate our work to serve patients with spinocerebellar ataxias for whom our first drug has already been shown to deliver significant clinical improvement in gait, balance and speech.”

In the rapidly evolving world of life sciences, the real estate sector is experiencing significant shifts and opportunities. JLL’s latest report, U.S. Life Sciences Property Report, explores the dynamics of leasing, occupancy rates and market conditions.

To learn more about the life sciences market in Washington, D.C., we sat down with local experts, JLL Research Manager Kate Paine and Executive Managing Director Pete Briskman to delve deeper into these trends and gain valuable insights.

In the D.C. market, how have lease terms in the life sciences sector changed over time and what factors have influenced these changes?

Mirroring national leasing trends, lease terms in the D.C. market are shortening, especially among new leases and relocations. The average lease term for new leases (non-renewals) has fallen to just over five years, down from nearly 10 years in 2022. Shortening of lease term is a response to supply outpacing demand, which is giving the leverage back to tenants and allowing startups and pre-revenue tenants to negotiate for shorter terms. A key contributor to shortening lease terms over the past few years is the influx of spec suites that have delivered to the market, which are designed to be flexible space options for early-stage companies.

The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Technology Transfer Center invites you to the 2024 Technology Showcase on September 4th, at the Frederick National Laboratory Advanced Technology Research Facility in Frederick, MD. This free, in-person event will present a remarkable lineup of cutting-edge technologies ready for commercialization. Industry experts will share their insights through engaging presentations, panel discussions on successful collaborations, and a competitive poster session highlighting innovative research.

Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs, fostering meaningful networking and potential partnerships. The keynote speaker, Steven Walker, will deliver a compelling address on the future of biotechnology and its impact on cancer research.

The event is an exceptional platform for biotech stakeholders to discover new technologies and explore collaborative ventures. Whether you're a company, investor, or entrepreneur, the 2024 Technology Showcase offers invaluable insights and connections.

In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis, President and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, Inc., speaks with Matt Gardner, Head of Life Sciences, Americas, at CBRE. With over 30 years of experience in the technology and life sciences sectors, Matt Gardner provides a comprehensive look at the latest trends and developments in the life sciences industry.

Matt shares key findings from CBRE's recently released U.S. Life Sciences Talent Trends' report for 2024, offering insights into what the life sciences sector can expect in the coming year. He discusses the national real estate market, highlighting the differences between office space and life science wet lab space, and emerging trends in the sector.

The conversation explores the strategic importance of the BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR), consistently ranked as a top market for life sciences research talent. Matt elaborates on what makes this region crucial for CBRE and the life sciences sector as a whole.

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With the advent of life-changing cell and gene therapies (CGTs) to treat pediatric diseases, price is becoming a significant obstacle to care and cures.

Successful therapies can wind up shelved or in hard-to-reach clinical trials for a litany of reasons: high manufacturing costs, significant regulatory burdens, a lack of enthusiasm from the pharmaceutical industry in the small pediatric market and the simple fact that insurance companies resist paying the price of $1 million or more for a therapeutic. When successful treatments are set aside and become victims of this market failure, leaders in pediatric medicine say the drug has been relegated to the “Valley of Death.”

Experts at Children’s National Hospital and other leading U.S. research institutions are working to ferry drugs across it.

BioMaP-Consortium Project Agreement Will Combine Sustainable Biochemical Production with AI To Demonstrate a Scalable Platform for the Quick Manufacture of Pharmaceutical Ingredients.

STERLING, Va., July 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Many ingredients that make up the pharmaceuticals Americans rely on are manufactured overseas. When supply chain issues or shortages occur, as witnessed during the COVID pandemic, it can negatively impact millions of Americans and affect national security. The White House issued an Executive Order in 2022 to stimulate U.S. biomanufacturing. Increasing American biomanufacturing, will provide more control over pharmaceutical production, boost the economy, and encourage creation of greener manufacturing methods.

Under a new $7.5 million, two-year project agreement awarded to Capra Biosciences through the BioMaP-Consortium, Capra will demonstrate the ability of its platform to rapidly scale and manufacture biologically derived small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Capra has a demonstrated history of using its biofilm-forming microbes and proprietary bioreactors to transform low-cost feedstocks into a variety of chemicals, including their first commercial product, retinol.

Shuttle Pharma’s Selective HDAC Inhibitor Exhibits ATM Activation and Modulation of ER Expression Resulting in Substantial Growth Inhibition of Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer Cells, as Reported in PLOS ONE

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shuttle Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: SHPH), (“Shuttle Pharma”), a discovery and development stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on improving outcomes for cancer patients treated with radiation therapy (RT), today announced the publication of a manuscript reporting on the ability of one of the Company’s HDAC inhibitor pre-clinical assets, SP-1-303, which exhibits ataxia-telangiectasia mutated protein (ATM) activation and modulation of estrogen receptor expression resulting in substantial growth inhibition of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cells (ER + BC).

In 1996, Martine Rothblatt’s six-year-old daughter was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare lung and heart disease without a cure. Undeterred, Rothblatt, a cofounder of Sirius Satellite Radio, launched her own biotech firm with the goal of finding one.

“There is nothing worse than being told that your daughter is going to die,” https://www.forbes.com/sites/chloesorvino/2018/06/20/how-ceo-martine-rothblatt-turns-moonshots-into-earthshots/" aria-label="Rothblatt told Forbes">Rothblatt told https://www.forbes.com/sites/chloesorvino/2018/06/20/how-ceo-martine-rothblatt-turns-moonshots-into-earthshots/">Forbes in 2018. “I just said I will find a way, or she was going to die, because all of the previous people with this illness had died.”

Nearly three decades later, Rothblatt’s daughter is healthy and in her 30s. Meanwhile, shares of the now publicly traded firm, United Therapeutics, are up 54 times its price at its 1999 IPO. This year alone, shares have surged, up 50% so far in 2024 and up 40% since April 30—enough to make Rothblatt the world’s newest billionaire.

By: Patrizia Cavazzoni, MD, Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and Peter Marks, MD, PhD, Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research

An estimated 10,000+ rare diseases affect more than 30 million people – approximately one out of every 10 people – in the U.S., and about half of these people are children. Many rare conditions are life threatening, and most do not have approved treatments. Fundamental to the mission of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is to engage patients and caregivers – to understand their unique perspectives and experiences and keep these front of mind as we review medical products for rare disease patients.

The Rare Disease Innovation Hub
Recent rapid advances in the identification of promising drug targets and development of gene therapies offer momentum and potential to meet the needs of patients with rare diseases. In 2023, over half of all the novel drugs and biologics approved by the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) were to prevent, diagnose or treat a rare disease or condition.

D.C.-based maternal mental health startup Seven Starling has raised $10.9 million in an oversubscribed round to expand its virtual care services — which include supporting postpartum, early parenthood, infertility, miscarriage and loss and other experiences — further across the country.

San Francisco women’s health-focused venture firm RH Capital led the round and existing investors Menlo Park, California's Pear VC; San Francisco’s Expa; Santa Monica, California’s Magnify Ventures; Palo Alto, California’s Emerson Collective; and Emeryville, California’s Inflect Health also took part.

Emerson Collective is led by Laurene Powell Jobs, who is an investor in D.C.'s Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the owner of the Washington Wizards, Capitals, Mystics and other sports ventures. Emerson counts The Atlantic magazine, which is based in the District, among its holdings.

COLUMBIA, Md., (July 16, 2024) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced a recent $500,000 investment in OmniSpeech. This investment was made in two parts, with $300,000 coming from TEDCO’s Venture Funds and the remaining $200,000 coming from TEDCO’s Social Impact Funds.

“After decades of research and development, we are excited to expand our reach to improve more apps and devices with AI/ML-powered speech,” said Carol Espy-Wilson, founder and chief technology officer at OmniSpeech. “With TEDCO’s generous investments, we are excited to advance our innovative AI and machine learning technologies.”

Foreign investors highlighted innovative and high-quality human resources as a strength of Korean biotech companies. They also recognized advantages in Korea’s active government investment and robust infrastructure for clinical trials and development. However, they also pointed out that Korea’s conservative corporate culture and limited funding needed improvement.

During the 'Bioplus-Interphex Korea 2024 (BIX 2024)' conference at COEX in Samsung District, Seoul on July 12, in a special session themed 'The charm of Korean biohealth according to foreign investors', Hwee Juin Lee, Vice President of Asia Pacific Region at Flagship Pioneering, emphasized, “Seoul is a cosmopolitan city as the premier global hub for clinical trials, hosting a diverse array of cutting-edge research centers.”