Maryland companies looking to expand their global reach can now apply for the Maryland Global Consulting Program, returning this fall with a new cohort of student-led international business consulting teams. Projects begin the week of September 22, 2025, and enrollment is open on a rolling basis.

Organized in partnership with the University of Maryland's Smith School of Business and the Maryland Department of Commerce, this program pairs local companies with graduate student teams to solve global business challenges and support international expansion efforts.

The Accelerate Investor Conference is a venture investor and startup conference and early stage business competition that showcases our region as a powerhouse for innovation and business opportunity.

The competition fuels innovation-based business growth by showcasing the best and brightest new tech startups to potential investors to foster their development.

Dozens of top tech companies and 20+ student teams will compete to win cash and bragging rights. The competition targets entrepreneurs with early to mid seed stage, high growth businesses with the potential to have an immediate and positive impact on our local economy, as well as student concepts with longer-term business viability.

VIENNA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CEL-SCI Corporation (“CEL-SCI” or the “Company”) (NYSE American: CVM), a clinical stage cancer immunotherapy company, today announced the pricing of a best-efforts offering of 1,500,000 shares of its common stock. Each share of common stock is being sold at an offering price of $3.82 per share, priced at-the-market under NYSE American rules. Total gross proceeds from the offering, before deducting the placement agent's fees and other offering expenses, are expected to be approximately $5.7 million. The offering is expected to close on July 14, 2025, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

VIENNA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CEL-SCI Corporation (NYSE American: CVM) today announced it has reached an agreement with one of Saudi Arabia’s premier pharmaceutical and healthcare companies for a partnership that spans regulatory and commercial activities for Multikine* (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection) in the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia. The formal agreement is expected to be signed with the Saudi pharmaceutical partner which will file a Breakthrough Medicine Designation application for Multikine with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) in the coming weeks. According to the SFDA, the response time to a Breakthrough Medicine Designation application is approximately 60 days. Following the granting of the Breakthrough Medicine Designation, Multikine would immediately become available for patient access and reimbursement/sale in Saudi Arabia. Several leading Saudi funds have expressed interest in investing in Multikine, CEL-SCI, and/or a potential joint venture to serve the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market.

Today, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) announced its groundbreaking Functional Repair of Neocortical Tissue (FRONT) program, a transformative initiative to restore brain function and position the U.S. as the global leader in brain repair technology. FRONT aims to use cutting-edge neurodevelopmental principles and stem cell technology to regenerate brain tissue and restore lost functions. 

Washington, DC, July 10 2025 - Nanochon, a Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD-based orthopedic device biotech company developing an implant for treating articular cartilage defects in the knee, is thrilled to announce that it was granted Health Canada Approval for their first in human clinical trial.     

The trial will be led by Principal Investigator, Dr. Fathi Abuzgaya, who will collaborate with Sports Medicine Specialists, Drs. Joel Lobo, Kajeandra Ravichandiran and Marcin Kowalczuk as Sub-Investigators, at the Durham Bone & Joint Specialists (DBJS), located in Ontario, Canada. Dr. Fathi Abuzgaya, is an orthopedic surgeon by training and an esteemed researcher with a track record over the last 25 years, leading +600 clinical trials in all phases and therapeutic areas.

By John Carroll, Editor & Founder - The numbers aren’t all bad in biotech. But you’d be forgiven if you thought they were. And you’d be in good company. Once again, Chris Dokomajilar at DealForma has been checking the data for us on what Q2 and the first half indicate for the rest of 2025. Once again, Chris Dokomajilar at DealForma has been checking the data for us on what Q2 and the first half indicate for the rest of 2025.

Significantly, dealmaking is holding up, particularly for prime late-stage drugs, as M&A popped a bit in the first half of this year and licensing numbers edged up in biotech. But once you look past dealmaking, it’s a question of just how much the numbers have eroded from last year — or last quarter.

Getting a biotech company off the ground takes more than science; it takes strategy, funding, and the right network. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Richard Bendis, Founder, President, and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, Inc., a nonprofit that helps early-stage life sciences companies bridge the gap between great research and commercialization. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PADCG0qLA8I 

We talk about what it really takes to build a biotech company today, from non-dilutive funding and EIR programs to spinouts and government partnerships. Rich brings a rare perspective from both public and private sides of the ecosystem, with decades of experience in investment, tech transfer, and innovation policy. 

by Jill Rosen - A robot trained on videos of surgeries performed a lengthy phase of a gallbladder removal without human help. The robot operated for the first time on a lifelike patient, and during the operation, responded to and learned from voice commands from the team—like a novice surgeon working with a mentor.

The robot performed unflappably across trials and with the expertise of a skilled human surgeon, even during unexpected scenarios typical in real life medical emergencies.

The federally funded work, led by Johns Hopkins University researchers, is a transformative advancement in surgical robotics, where robots can perform with both mechanical precision and human-like adaptability and understanding.

July 8, 2025 - The U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program announced the 29 semifinalists advancing to the next stage of the second competition – spanning critical technologies and applications ranging from energy grid security to maximizing the yield of critical minerals mining to advanced optical sensors. The semifinalist teams, many of whom have been building their regional coalitions for a year or longer, are led by universities, nonprofits, private industry and other organizations from across the United States. View a map of the NSF Engines semifinalists.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) today announced a contract modification has been secured to deliver CNJ-016^® [Vaccinia Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)] (VIGIV) to the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), part of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for smallpox preparedness. ASPR exercised an option from its existing 10-year contract (75A50119C00037) for additional doses of VIGIV, a treatment for complications due to smallpox vaccination.

The Annual BioHealth Capital Region Investment Conference is the premier destination for discovering emerging companies that are redefining what’s possible in life sciences.

Taking place on Thursday, September 25, the final day of BioHealth Capital Region Week 2025, the conference brings together startups, growth-stage companies, VCs, strategics, and innovation scouts for a dynamic day of curated pitches, one-on-one meetings, and strategic networking — all hosted at US Pharmacopeia in Rockville, Maryland.

For Investors:

This is where you’ll find what’s next. The conference showcases a vetted lineup of companies spanning therapeutics, diagnostics, digital health, AI-powered solutions, and other transformative technologies. You’ll hear live pitch presentations and quick-pitches on the main stage from top applicants,  including standout participants from the previous day’s Crab Trap Competition.

Investors will schedule targeted meetings with presenting companies and engage with the region’s leading commercialization partners, accelerators, and research institutions. Whether you're looking to make your next investment or build your pipeline, this is one of the best opportunities of the year to do it.

Investor registration is open now:
https://bit.ly/BHCRIC2025

For Startups and Entrepreneurs:

The Investment Conference is designed for companies ready to raise capital or build relationships with the investors who matter most in the BioHealth space. Whether you’re seeking Seed, Series A, or strategic partnerships, this event puts you directly in front of potential funders and collaborators.

In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis welcomes Dr. Helen Sabzevari, President and CEO of Precigen, to discuss the company’s cutting-edge science in gene and cell therapy. Dr. Sabzevari shares how Precigen’s unique AdenoVerse® platform has powered the development of PRGN-2012, a potential first-in-class therapeutic currently under FDA priority review for the treatment of adults with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), a rare and devastating disease. She also highlights advances across Precigen’s broader pipeline in immuno-oncology and autoimmune disease and reflects on how Maryland’s BioHealth Capital Region has supported the company’s innovation and growth.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform:
Apple: https://apple.co/3IdIAPi
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4eKJIGo
iHeart: https://ihr.fm/4krFxAy
YouTube: https://bit.ly/4lnRUPq
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/4nG3Tt6 
TuneIn: https://bit.ly/4lqEaTG

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Maryland Tech Council (MTC), the largest technology and life sciences trade association in the state, today announced the launch of the Rural Technology Network, a new initiative to accelerate growth in rural Maryland’s technology ecosystem.

The Rural Technology Network will strengthen economic growth in rural Maryland through strategic business development and by offering companies enhanced access to networking, cost savings, education, mentorship and other resources. It also seeks to foster partnerships between the private sector, educational institutions, and local governments to enhance commercialization and grow the pipeline of local businesses and talent.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. (NYSE: MD), a leading provider of physician services, today announced that its board of directors has appointed Kurt D. Newman, M.D., former President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. and Professor Emeritus of Surgery and Pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, as an independent director, effective July 1, 2025.

Dr. Newman, a surgeon and nationally recognized leader in pediatric healthcare and a long-term healthcare executive, served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Children's National Hospital for 12 years, after spending over 25 years there as a pediatric surgeon. Dr. Newman fostered a culture of patient-centered care and championed a culture of innovation in research, operations and clinical care. Dr. Newman is a strong advocate for expanding mental health access for children and has led two national forums on this issue. He is the author of a best-selling book, “Healing Children: a Surgeon's Stories from the Frontiers of Pediatric Medicine.” Dr. Newman was recognized as “CEO of the Year” by the Washington Business Journal in 2021 and inducted into the Washington Business Hall of Fame in 2023.

Thanks to a major investment from GO Virginia, Northern Virginia’s first Innovation District is taking shape, laying the groundwork for growth in high-tech industry sectors like life sciences, aerospace, defense, and semiconductors.   

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced last week that the commonwealth will invest $2.6 million into Northern Virginia’s first Innovation District, with an additional $1.3 million coming from local businesses, government, and higher education partners. The funding will help launch the Innovation District and roll out programs aimed at making Northern Virginia a national hub for research-driven industries, while giving residents the chance to pursue strong, lasting careers without leaving their communities.

BETHESDA, Md., June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gain Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GANX) (“Gain”, or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leading the discovery and development of the next generation of allosteric small molecule therapies, today provided an update on the progress of its ongoing Phase 1b clinical study evaluating the safety and tolerability of GT-02287 in people with Parkinson’s Disease with or without a GBA1 mutation. The study, which aimed to enroll 15-20 participants, reached 16 participants on June 30th, 2025.

In a new video feature, BioHealth Innovation’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Kwame Ulmer offers a candid and experienced take on the evolving FDA landscape and its impact on medical device innovation.

As Managing Partner at MedTech Impact Partners, Kwame brings more than two decades of regulatory expertise to the table. His experience includes twelve years in leadership roles at the FDA, culminating as Deputy Director and Branch Chief, where he personally evaluated over 1,000 medical technologies. Today, he advises startups on regulatory strategy, supports complex submissions including de novo, PMA, and 510(k), and helps medtech founders navigate an increasingly uncertain regulatory environment.

ROCKVILLE, Md. & EDMONTON, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AUPH) today announced positive results from a Phase 1 single-ascending-dose (SAD) study of aritinercept (AUR200), its dual inhibitor of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL). The study investigated aritinercept doses of 5 mg, 25 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg, 225 mg and 300 mg and placebo, administered by subcutaneous injection, in 61 healthy subjects.

Applications are now open for the 9th Annual Crab Trap Competition, one of the signature events of BioHealth Capital Region Week 2025, taking place on Wednesday, September 24, during Day 2 of the BioHealth Capital Region Forum at US Pharmacopeia (USP) in Rockville, Maryland.

The Crab Trap showcases emerging startups developing high-impact innovations in therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health, and other transformative areas of healthcare. Finalists will pitch live to a panel of expert judges in front of a high-profile audience of industry leaders, investors, and commercialization partners.

The winning company will receive a valuable package of services and recognition to help accelerate its growth.

Click here to apply to compete in the Crab Trap.

Deadline to apply: AUGUST 29, 2025

UVA Health has received two anonymous $25 million estate gifts to support the University of Virginia’s Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. The $50 million of additional support for the institute enabled UVA Health to top its $1 billion fundraising goal in UVA’s Honor the Future campaign, which concludes this month. 

“I’m deeply grateful for the generosity and vision of these donors, whose contributions will help us to realize the full potential of the Manning Institute, and for everyone who has helped UVA Health reach this milestone,” said UVA President Jim Ryan. “These extraordinary gifts will support the Manning Institute’s research and aid in developing new treatments for hard-to-treat or incurable diseases, which will change lives across the Commonwealth and beyond.”

ROCKVILLE, Md., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- I-Mab (NASDAQ: IMAB) (the “Company”), a U.S.-based, global biotech company, focused on the development of precision immuno-oncology agents for the treatment of cancer, today announced publication of ESMO Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress 2025 (ESMO GI 2025) abstract #388MO related to positive data from a Phase 1b study evaluating givastomig in combination with nivolumab and mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy for metastatic gastric cancers. An objective response rate (ORR) of 71% (12/17) was observed across all dose levels with an ORR of 83% (10/12) observed at dose levels selected for the ongoing dose expansion study (8 and 12 mg/kg). Responses were rapid and deepened over time, and were observed in tumors with low levels of PD-L1 expression and/or low levels of Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) expression. There was a favorable safety profile, with low incidence of GI and liver toxicities. I-Mab intends to host a virtual investor event on Tuesday, July 8^th (register here) to recap the data being presented at ESMO GI.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel peptide-based therapeutics for liver and cardiometabolic diseases, today announced positive topline results from the IMPACT Phase 2b trial of pemvidutide in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) today announced it has been awarded a $62.4 million contract modification from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), a division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for BAT^® [Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) – (Equine)]. The modification has been made to the existing 10-year contract with ASPR (75A50119C00075) whereby Emergent will supply BAT^®, an antitoxin used in the treatment of symptomatic botulism following suspected or confirmed exposure to botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A, B, C, D, E, F, or G in both adults and pediatric patients.

The 2025 BIO International Convention brought together over 20,000 life sciences leaders from across the globe. BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI), led by Founder, President, and CEO Rich Bendis, was proud to represent both the organization and the broader BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR) during this year’s gathering in Boston.

As one of the most wide-ranging events in the biotech industry, BIO 2025 served as a platform to showcase the BioHealth Capital Region’s unique strengths. The region, encompassing Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, presented a united front of innovation and economic vitality. Maryland and Virginia each hosted pavilions that attracted strong traffic and engagement, while the District’s leadership was prominently involved in cross-jurisdiction conversations.

“There was a great deal of interaction between the members of the BHCR during the Convention and it culminated with the First Annual BHCR Breakfast on Wednesday the 18th,” said Bendis. “Virginia also had their own breakfast on Tuesday the 17th and Maryland had a well-attended evening reception that same day. These events made it clear just how committed the region is to growing together.”

The BioHealth Capital Region BIO Breakfast, hosted at Maryland Tech Council Member, Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The breakfast brought together stakeholders from all three jurisdictions, reaffirming a shared commitment to growing the region’s life sciences economy. The breakfast was headlined by a panel discussion including Harry Coker, Jr, Secretary, Maryland Department of Commerce; Derek Ford, President & CEO, Washington DC Economic Partnership; Rachel Rath, Head of JLABs @ Washington D.C., and Joe Benevento, CEO, Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation. BHI’s Rich Bendis served as the moderator for this panel.

In this episode of BioTalk, Lara Mangravite, PhD, Executive Director of Digitalis Commons, joins the conversation to explore how scientific research is shifting in the U.S., from centralized, institutional models to a more decentralized, innovation-driven landscape. She shares the mission of Digitalis Commons and explains how the organization is working at the intersection of technology, research, and public good to address systemic barriers in health and healthcare. Drawing from her recent article, "Notes on Catalyzing Health," Lara discusses the growing role of independent research institutions, the challenges of fragmentation, and why this moment calls for new leadership models and public-interest partnerships that can drive coordinated, high-impact solutions.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform:
Apple: https://apple.co/4jXJdK0
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4jWAdVm
iHeart: https://ihr.fm/3G800vX
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SZGR2g
YouTube: https://bit.ly/4k2hF6h
TuneIn: https://bit.ly/445al3F

BOSTON, MA – This week, Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna K. Miller led a Maryland delegation to the BIO International Convention in Boston, Massachusetts where she and members of the Department of Commerce promoted Maryland as a national hub for life sciences. 

The BIO International Convention is the world’s largest biotech industry event, bringing together leaders from more than 60 countries across the global biotechnology ecosystem—including biopharma companies, academic institutions, startups, investors, and government officials—to share insights, build partnerships, and showcase innovation. 

Maryland was among the most well-represented states at the convention as Lt. Governor Miller and Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr. were joined by County Executives Marc Elrich and Jessica Fitzwater, Maryland Tech Council CEO Kelly Schulz, a delegation of 15 Maryland-based life sciences startup companies, and several other public and private sector leaders. 

“Maryland is America’s biotech frontier,” said Lt. Governor Miller. “This week we were proud to showcase why 5,000 life science companies call our state home and why Maryland is a place where potential meets performance, and innovation meets mission. With one of the most robust pipelines for STEM talent in the country and unmatched assets like our universities and life sciences sector, we’re not just keeping pace, we’re setting the standard.” 

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Infinity Bio, a biotechnology company pioneering technologies to map immune responses at scale, today announced the successful closing of an $8 million Series A financing round. The round was led by Illumina Ventures, with participation from PTX Capital, Blackbird BioVentures, and Propel Baltimore Fund.

As part of the strategic plan to broaden its suite of service offerings, Infinity Bio has acquired the assets of Serimmune, Inc., which was founded in 2014 to provide unbiased antibody reactome services. New MIPSA™ service offerings, including EnviroSIGHT™, are also expected to launch in the second half of 2025.

Infinity Bio will use the proceeds to expand its commercial footprint, accelerate development of its proprietary MIPSA™ platform, and launch new immune profiling services. The platform enables unbiased, high-resolution analysis of the antibody reactome, an emerging field critical to understanding immune responses in health and disease.

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ReGelTec Inc., a company developing a percutaneous hydrogel implant for the treatment of chronic low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease, announced it has treated the first patient in its HYDRAFIL-D FDA investigational device exemption (IDE) clinical trial for its HYDRAFIL^® System for disc augmentation. The patient was enrolled by Kas Amirdelfan, M.D., an interventional pain physician and founding member of Boomerang Healthcare, Inc. in Walnut Creek, Calif. The HYDRAFIL System is an outpatient procedure offering interventional pain physicians and patients a new treatment designed to reduce pain and improve daily function without the need for an invasive surgery.

HANOVER, Md., June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Processa Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PCSA), today announced that it has entered into a binding term sheet with Intact Therapeutics, Inc. (“Intact”) granting Intact the exclusive option to license PCS12852, a best-in-class 5-HT4 receptor agonist with the potential to become a first meaningful treatment for gastroparesis and other gastrointestinal motility disorders.

Under the terms of the agreement, Processa is eligible to receive a $2.5 million option exercise fee, up to $20 million in development and regulatory milestone payments and over $432.5 million in commercial milestone payments based on net product sales. Intact will also pay Processa a double-digit royalty on worldwide net sales of licensed products, excluding South Korea, and provide Processa with an equity stake in Intact upon closing. Under the terms of its license, Processa must share 60% of any cash payments with its licensor (excluding the equity stake in Intact).

As DNA research enters a critical stage in next-generation sequencing, better methods are needed to visualize and study molecules.

Evizia, a company founded and based on technology developed by Jason Reed, Ph.D., a physics professor in the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Humanities and Sciences, has landed a $2.2 million grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health.

The “Direct to Phase II” Small Business Innovation Research grant will help Evizia optimize the manufacturing of its advanced microscope system that can benefit researchers with its novel method to visualize and study DNA molecules. Reed says the platform increases the quality of next-generation DNA sequencing and will support the development of new diagnostics and therapeutics.

COLUMBIA, Md., (June 17, 2025) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced a recent $500,000 dual investment in Astek Diagnostics, a biomedical company. This investment came from both the Pre-Seed Builder Fund, part of TEDCO’s Social Impact Funds, which supports Maryland’s underrepresented startup communities, and the Venture Funds, dedicated to funding and growing the next generation of early-stage businesses in the state.

Astek Diagnostics, based in Baltimore, Md., is a medical technology company working to transform infectious disease management through its Jiddu™ Platform—a diagnostic system that aims to deliver antibiotic susceptibility results in under one hour. Designed to support faster, more targeted treatment decisions, the platform addresses infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), sepsis and wound infections. Unlike traditional culture-based methods, which take 48 to 72 hours, Astek’s phenotypic approach aims to provide results at the point of care, hopefully reducing wait times without compromising precision.

ROCKVILLE, MD / ACCESS Newswire / June 16, 2025 / uBriGene Biosciences, a leading cell and gene therapy CDMO, is proud to announce the launch of its fully characterized, ready-to-use induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) banks. Developed using uBriGene's proprietary RNA-LNP reprogramming technology, these iPSC banks are now available to support research, translational development, and clinical applications worldwide.

uBriGene's iPSC seed banks and master cell banks (MCBs) are generated in GMP-compliant cleanrooms using healthy donor fibroblasts sourced from the USA in full compliance with FDA regulations. Reprogrammed with a non-integrating mRNA-LNP kit, the iPSCs are free of genomic footprint and residual RNA.

BELTSVILLE, Md. and SHANGHAI, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NextCure, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and developing novel, first-in-class and best-in-class therapies to treat cancer, and Simcere Zaiming, an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company and a subsidiary of Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd (HKEX: 2096), today announced a strategic partnership to develop SIM0505, a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting CDH6 (cadherin-6 or K-cadherin) for the treatment of solid tumors. SIM0505 is currently in Phase 1 clinical testing in China; NextCure expects to begin clinical testing in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2025.