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NEA Partner Sara Nayeem, MD will serve on the Best Legal Frameworks for VC Investments Panel on Thursday, September 22 in DC at the International Bar Association Meeting. 

The International Bar Association programme will feature more than 200 substantive legal sessions, workshops and panels, including topics on current events and contentious issues facing the profession. The committee sessions will offer the chance to hear from the best experts in the field. The conference will also feature sessions presenting the lessons and achievements of each of my Presidential Task Forces: on Climate Change Justice and Human Rights, the Judicial Integrity Initiative, Human Trafficking, and Independence of the Legal Profession. 

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Wednesday, October 26, 2016

For over 10 years the Sartorius Stedim Upstream & Downstream Forum has provided an exciting venue for presentations, networking and discussions focusing on the latest applications and technologies.

This year the event continues to build the collaborative bridge between Upstream/Downstream Bioprocessing by bringing specialists from your peer group who will share their experience by presenting best practices, applications and techniques to address the bottlenecks at the interfaces of upstream and downstream. Seize the opportunity of this unique venue and book both events as a package.

dna-genetics-pixa

Precision medicine is fundamentally changing the way therapies are being developed. Its targeted, customized approach to health care has a widespread impact on everything from genomics to medical devices, and as a result it is creating new business models for enterprises across the sector. Importantly, precision medicine provides the backdrop for researchers as they explore how genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors interact in our bodies to foster health or develop disease.

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The Department of Health and Human Services has entered strategic partnerships with a Roche Group subsidiary and The Medicines Co. to develop antibiotics against multi-drug resistant infections.

HHS’ office of the assistant secretary for preparedness and response forged the partnerships with the two companies through other transaction authority under the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006, HHS said Wednesday.

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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his pediatrician wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan, announced this week that their Chan Zuckerberg Initiative will fund a $3 billion effort to cure all diseases. Mark Zuckerberg announced in December 2015 that he was going to give away 99 percent of his wealth. But instead of forming a traditional charity, he bequeathed his Facebook shares to his own Limited Liability Corporation, called the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

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Herndon, Va.-based cybersecurity startup accelerator Mach37 has unveiled the five companies chosen for its fall cohort. The startups will get $50,000 investment and spend 90 days in intensive programming where mentors will help them learn how to get their products to a market-ready point, teach them how to attract private investors and prepare for scaling up their companies. The program also serves to connect the startups with some of the very people who might be the potential investors.

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WeddingWire Inc., the leading global online marketplace for the wedding and event industry, has announced plans to expand its corporate headquarters in Montgomery County.

Currently located in Chevy Chase, WeddingWire is confirmed to lease a total of 68,000 square-feet of space in the county to accommodate its continued growth. As part of the expansion, the company plans to add 200 new jobs to its existing workforce of more than 350 local employees.

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Virginia Bio, the statewide non-profit association representing the life science industry in the Commonwealth of Virginia, announced that it will support the growth and expansion of the Biosciences industry via its upcoming September 29 event, Women Building Bio: The XX Factor. Virginia Bio is actively collaborating with academic institutions as well as regional and global businesses to expand the industry’s footprint in the Commonwealth and beyond. As a partner in the BioHealth Capital Region campaign inclusive of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, Virginia Bio is focused on accelerating the region’s progress towards the goal of becoming "top 3 by 2023” among the biotech clusters in the U.S.

umd-maryland-logo

The University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) has received $4,999,994 in federal funding through the National Science Foundation (NSF) to increase the number of minority students graduating with degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The funding was announced by U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) on Wednesday.

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Wed, Oct 26, 2016 at 5:30 PM - Columbus Center 701 East Pratt Street Baltimore, MD

1st Pitch Life Science is coming to Baltimore for the first time. Hear what happens AFTER a start-up company presents to an investor group! Usually after a pitch, the investors have a closed-door discussion to decide whether the opportunity merits further investigation and possible investment.  1st Pitch Life Science (http://www.1stpitchlifescience.com) offers presenters and audience members the chance to hear what happens in those closed-door discussions, and to learn what really matters to investors.

1st Pitch Life Science is coming to Baltimore for the first time. Hear what happens AFTER a start-up company presents to an investor group! Usually after a pitch, the investors have a closed-door discussion to decide whether the opportunity merits further investigation and possible investment.  1st Pitch Life Science (http://www.1stpitchlifescience.com) offers presenters and audience members the chance to hear what happens in those closed-door discussions, and to learn what really matters to investors.

 

1st Pitch Life Science is organized by MABA (Mid Atlantic Bio Angels), (http://www.bioangels.net), a NY-based life science investor group, to encourage and educate aspiring life science entrepreneurs who know they may be too early or not fully prepared to seek investment but want the opportunity to practice their pitch and to receive constructive criticism from experienced and knowledgeable professionals.

 

Presenting at 1st Pitch Life Science allows early stage life science entrepreneurs to:

Try out a pitch where no money is immediately at stake

Hear what investors and audience members think of their presentation and opportunity

Receive early, constructive feedback from knowledgeable and experienced industry people (including representatives from Mid Atlantic Bio Angels)

Potentially connect with advisors/mentors and other team members who may be interested in supporting the company’s efforts and adding value at an early stage

 

Audience members get to hear how entrepreneurs are pursuing new science and new business opportunities and to provide their own feedback regarding the value and effectiveness of those efforts.  At the end of each event, the audience will vote on a “Best in Show” winner, who will advance to compete in our “Best of the Best” finale at the end of the year in NYC.

 

There is no downside – no investor rejection, no lost opportunities.  Just good advice and potential connections that a company can use to improve its strategy and presentation. 

 

You’ll notice the “Looking For” section on our registration page. Complete this and we’ll provide you with a different-color name badge with this info printed on it. Others will be able to easily tell you’re looking for something, helping you promote your networking! Examples are Software engineer, CRO, Biotech partners, and Patent attorney.

 

The 1st Pitch event will be preceded by a “meet with investors” roundtable discussion, between 4:30 – 5:30 (separate registration required). This event is for academics (students, post-docs, professors) and entrepreneurs (any member of a startup company). The investors at the roundtable will discuss and take questions about approaching angel groups for investment, the investment process, things to do and to avoid, things investors look for in an investment opportunity, how angel groups work with other groups, and other topics relating to the investment process.

 

To Register:          ……………

***Must pre-register by 12pm on October 26th to attend.

 

When:

Wednesday, October 26th, 2016

4:30 – 5:30 “Meet with Investors” roundtable for academics and entrepreneurs (separate registration required)

5:30pm – Registration & Networking

6:00 – 8:00pm – Program

8:00 – 8:30pm – Networking

Where:  

Columbus Center

(http://imet.usmd.edu/)

701 E Pratt Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

 

To present or sponsor, please email us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

1st Pitch Life Science is coming to Baltimore for the first time. Hear what happens AFTER a start-up company presents to an investor group! Usually after a pitch, the investors have a closed-door discussion to decide whether the opportunity merits further investigation and possible investment.  1st Pitch Life Science (http://www.1stpitchlifescience.com) offers presenters and audience members the chance to hear what happens in those closed-door discussions, and to learn what really matters to investors.

1st Pitch Life Science is organized by MABA (Mid Atlantic Bio Angels), (http://www.bioangels.net), a NY-based life science investor group, to encourage and educate aspiring life science entrepreneurs who know they may be too early or not fully prepared to seek investment but want the opportunity to practice their pitch and to receive constructive criticism from experienced and knowledgeable professionals.

Presenting at 1st Pitch Life Science allows early stage life science entrepreneurs to:

  • Try out a pitch where no money is immediately at stake
  • Hear what investors and audience members think of their presentation and opportunity
  • Receive early, constructive feedback from knowledgeable and experienced industry people (including representatives from Mid Atlantic Bio Angels)
  • Potentially connect with advisors/mentors and other team members who may be interested in supporting the company’s efforts and adding value at an early stage

 

Audience members get to hear how entrepreneurs are pursuing new science and new business opportunities and to provide their own feedback regarding the value and effectiveness of those efforts.  At the end of each event, the audience will vote on a “Best in Show” winner, who will advance to compete in our “Best of the Best” finale at the end of the year in NYC.

 

There is no downside – no investor rejection, no lost opportunities.  Just good advice and potential connections that a company can use to improve its strategy and presentation. 

 

You’ll notice the “Looking For” section on our registration page. Complete this and we’ll provide you with a different-color name badge with this info printed on it. Others will be able to easily tell you’re looking for something, helping you promote your networking! Examples are Software engineer, CRO, Biotech partners, and Patent attorney.

The 1st Pitch event will be preceded by a “meet with investors” roundtable discussion, between 4:30 – 5:30 (separate registration required). This event is for academics (students, post-docs, professors) and entrepreneurs (any member of a startup company). The investors at the roundtable will discuss and take questions about approaching angel groups for investment, the investment process, things to do and to avoid, things investors look for in an investment opportunity, how angel groups work with other groups, and other topics relating to the investment process.

To Register:          ……………

***Must pre-register by 12pm on October 26th to attend.

When:

Wednesday, October 26th, 2016

4:30 – 5:30 “Meet with Investors” roundtable for academics and entrepreneurs (separate registration required)

5:30pm – Registration & Networking

6:00 – 8:00pm – Program

8:00 – 8:30pm – Networking

Where:  

Columbus Center

(http://imet.usmd.edu/)

701 E Pratt Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

To present or sponsor, please email us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

tedco-mii-image

TEDCO announced today its Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII) program has awarded $18 million to more than 180 commercialization projects and 45 start-up companies since its inception in late 2012. Awards were given across a variety of industries, including therapeutic, software, medical devices and engineering.

“MII is the only program in Maryland that supports the transition of technology from the academic research laboratory through product development to commercialization in a start-up company,” says John Wasilisin, President and COO. “The program has been a game changer for innovators at Maryland’s research universities to take the next step in becoming entrepreneurs.”

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Date: September 30 – October 1, 2016 - 20200 Observation Drive, Germantown, MD 20876

Collaboration and Innovation in Bio, Medical, & Pharmaceuticals

You are cordially invited to the Korea – US Cooperative Conference for Life Science (KUCCLS). The main goals of KUCCLS 2016 are to:

  1. Promote the partnership between Korea and US companies in Life Science industry
  2. Explore life science growth opportunities in Korea and the US Learn innovative forefront technology and trends in
  3. Life Science

The two-day conference will attract over 250 biotechnology and life science leaders in Korea & US, who join together for networking and partnering meetings to discover new opportunities and promising partnerships in the area of R&D, commercial business of Bio, Medical, and Pharmaceuticals. Seats are limited. Register today!

Alexandria-Real-Estate-Equities-Logo

A Pasadena-based real estate company that has grown into a world-class developer for science and technology campuses is expanding its reach into the life science industry.

Alexandria Real Estate equities — an urban office real estate investment trust that was founded in 1994 — has put up buildings in virtually every major city where life sciences are studied in the United States, according to Xconomy.

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You and your company team will be competing against other biotech companies to win the coveted BioBowl Trophy and bragging rights! Come out, Team Build and Network with some friendly competition!

Date: Thursday, October 13, 2016 Time: 4:00 - 6:30 PM (TBC) Location: Bowlmor – 15720 Shady Grove Rd, Gaithersburg MD 20877

For more info, please contact Sarah Meisheid at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 301-398-2431

joe-biden-wiki

Helping patients means transparency and clarity

Every day, thousands of Americans hear the dreaded “c word” from their doctor. I know the fear and the numbness that sets in with the cancer of a loved one.

What happens next can make the difference between life and death. If there’s a treatment that can help, there’s hope. But for some people, hope is a clinical trial that will ultimately determine whether a new therapy can slow or stop their cancer.

medimmune-logo

Two Maryland-based companies are racing to get a vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to market--and one just picked up a regulatory boost.

MedImmune, AstraZeneca's ($AZN) biologics research and development arm, announced on Thursday that the FDA is fast-tracking its RSV vaccine, MEDI8897. It joins Novavax ($NVAX), which received FDA fast-track designation for its candidate in November.

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The next CONNECTpreneur event is September 28 at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda.  More info at connectpreneur.org

There’s a 40% discount code just for eBiz Alert subscribers:  Enter CODE:  MOCO when you register at http://connectpreneursept2016.eventbrite.com.

This event’s Fireside guest is Seth Goldman, Founder and TeaEO, Honest Tea.

There will be a terrific VC panel including Moderator: Eric Koefoot, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Public Relay, CEO and Publisher, US News Ventures, Founder and CEO, Five Star Alliance; AJ Jaghori, CEO Solebrity; Founder HelloLoCo; Beth Johnson, Founder and CEO, RP3 Agency; Jeannette Lee, Founder and CEO, Cyper; Founder and CEO, SYTEL.

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California Life Sciences Institute (CLSI) today announced the appointment of Heather Shane to build and lead the CLSI CARB-X accelerator, which will provide non-dilutive funding, business support and subject matter expertise to companies with innovative antibiotic product candidates. The Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) is the world’s largest public-private partnership focused on tackling one of the greatest modern threats to public health — antibiotic resistance. CARB-X will commit $50 million during the first year, and at least $350 million over five years, toward preclinical research and development with the aim of accelerating antibiotic product development over the next 25 years. CLSI is the non-profit partner of the California Life Sciences Association (CLSA), and supports the foundations of innovation – workforce development, STEM education and entrepreneurship – that have made California home to the world’s most prominent life sciences ecosystem.

Alexandria-Real-Estate-Equities-Logo

Alexandria Real Estate (NYSE:ARE) is about as successful a Wall Street story as you'll find. Started in 1994 as what management fondly recalls as a garage startup, the company now is one of the most successful and unique REITs on the market today. What makes the company so special is that Alexandria was the first REIT to focus exclusively on life science and biotechnology clients, specifically in the most prime real estate markets: Boston, San Francisco, New York City, etc.

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From Mark Suster:

"I recently read a blog post by Beezer Clarkson, Managing Director of Sapphire Ventures about why entrepreneurs should care about from whom their VC funds raise their capital. I spent a bunch of time thinking about this position — especially since Beezer is an investor in Upfront Ventures. There are a lot of things I think entrepreneurs should care about when raising from a VC:"