Archives For Health & Life Sciences

VIDEO: Baltimore BioPark hosts Innovation Working Group, Russian biotech leaders

Emily Kimball —  April 29, 2013

Moscow, Russia and Baltimore, Maryland are separated by language, culture and nearly 6,000 miles, yet similarities emerge within each city’s concentration on the life sciences industry.

Thanks to a recently signed memorandum of understanding between Russia’s Pushchino BioTech Cluster and the BioMaryland Center, common ground between life sciences companies in Maryland and regions across Russia is expected to grow. The Pushchino district, in the suburbs of Moscow, represents Russia’s second largest in terms of academic research, with 100 laboratories and 2500 research scientists working in the field of biotechnologies and bio-pharmacology. Likewise, Maryland is home to more than 500 life sciences companies, 59 federal labs and several additional academic and research institutions.

The signing followed a three-day visit by the Innovation Working Group of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission, created by President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Innovation Working Group members—led by the Russian Deputy Minister of Economy Oleg Fomichev and Special Representative for Business and Commerce of the U.S. Department of State Lorraine Hariton—gathered on April 26 to visit the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Maryland, Baltimore BioPark to explore opportunities for collaboration. They were joined by leaders from the Pushchino BioTech Cluster, several representatives of Maryland and Russia biotech firms and Evgeny V. Chuprunov, the rector of Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod.

Dr. Bruce Jarrell, Chief Academic/ Research Officer, Senior Vice President and Dean of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, Baltimore; and Dr. Mary Ann Rankin, Provost and Senior VP for Academic Affairs, welcomed the delegation. Dr. E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Distinguished Professor, and Dean UMD School of Medicine also spoke to the delegation during a special reception.

The program on April 26 included several presentations and tours of the BioPark facility and Maryland Forensic Medical Center.

“We are very pleased to welcome the Innovation Working Group to Maryland, and have the opportunity to showcase our world-class universities and expanding life science community, as well as share approaches to economic development,” said Dr. Judith Britz, Executive Director of the BioMaryland Center, said in a statement. “As a global bioscience leader, Maryland is looking forward to collaborating with the Pushchino BioTech Cluster to identify opportunities for partnering together on joint research and economic development initiatives.”

“We are very elated to see that one of the Innovation Working Group initiatives has come to fruition,” Svetlana Infimovskaya, Deputy Executive Director, Association of Innovative Regions of Russia, said in a statement. “Collaboration of Pushchino BioTech Cluster and BioMaryland Center will open an opportunity to join efforts in research and economic development.”

“We are proud to have the BioMaryland Center and Pushchino as partners in the U.S.-Russia Innovation Working Group,” Lorraine Hariton, Special Representative of Commercial and Business Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, said in a statement. “These types of partnerships between regions in the United States and regions in Russia exemplify the very best of the Bilateral Presidential Commission. We hope that the BioMaryland Center-Pushchino memorandum of understanding will serve as a model for other regions.”

Find highlights from program’s presentations in the above video. 

BioMaryland’s brand: How life sciences come together in Maryland

Emily Kimball —  April 25, 2013
BioMaryland 2013

BioMaryland appeared at the 2013 Bio International Convention in Chicago.

Between world-renowned institutions like Johns Hopkins University and innovative medical research start-ups like GrayBug—it’s no surprise that Maryland is a major player in the life sciences field.

The BioMaryland Center, an office within the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development, brought together several of the state’s premiere companies and institutions in the life sciences industry during the 2013 Bio International Convention this week in Chicago.

Brian Castleberry, who works within DBED to promote and build partnerships with Maryland health and science companies, explained what he calls the “Maryland brand.”

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VIDEO: Maryland companies, centers leading traumatic brain injury treatment

Emily Kimball —  April 24, 2013


Traumatic brain injuries can occur in any number of settings, whether the victim is a soldier in Iraq or a little league football player.

BioMaryland explored the growing industry around TBI prevention, diagnosis and treatment during expert panel discussions on Wednesday at the 2013 Bio International Conference.

Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony Brown opened the program by spotlighting several Maryland companies, centers and university programs making advances in the field of TBI. Among them:

“In Maryland, we like to believe and I think we are, leading the way in TBI and we’ve made a lot of progress, but our work is far from finished. In fact, we are much closer to the starting line than the finish line, and that’s why we’re here today to reaffirm our commitment to preventing, diagnosing and treating TBIs,” Brown said.

Andrew Colon, who was injured in an explosion while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq, spoke about his personal experience suffering from TBI. Months after the incident, he began suffering from loss of balance and hearing problems.

“I’m just one of millions. My team members suffered far worse. I feel fortunate to be here and share my story with all of you, so you understand the importance of the work that you do, and the time you are spending to understand traumatic brain injuries,” Colon said.

Traumatic brain injury, BioMaryland

Andrew Colon of the U.S. Marine Corp speaks to BioMaryland on traumatic brain injury.

Featured expert panelists included:

  • Alan Faden, M.D., David S. Brown Professor in Trauma, Anesthesiology, Anatomy & Neurobiology, Neurosurgery, Neurology; Director, Center for Shock Trauma & Anesthesiology Research (STAR), University of Maryland School of Medicine; CSO, Kinetic Shield
  • Rochelle Tractenberg, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Georgetown University Medical School
  • Greg Merril, CEO, Brain Sentry
  • Greg Hiemenz, Ph.D., President & CEO, InnoVital Systems, Inc.
  • Richard Garr, CEO, NeuralStem
  • Joshua Chenoweth, Ph.D., Investigator, Lieber Institute for Brain Development
  • Bruce Jarrell, M.D., Chief Academic and Research Officer and SVP; Dean, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore
  • Robert Stevens, M.D., Associate Professor, Division of Neurosciences Critical Care, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  • Vassilis Koliatsos, M.D., Professor of Pathology and Neurology; Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University Medical School
  • David Beylin, Ph.D., CEO, Brain Biosciences

Moderators included:

  • Alastair Mackay, Principal, Maryland Venture Fund
  • David Smith, Head of Therapeutic Cell Solutions, Lonza Walkersville, Inc.
  • Bruce Jarrell, M.D., Chief Academic and Research Officer and SVP; Dean, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore

Lt. Gov. Brown pledges continued Maryland life sciences investment

Emily Kimball —  April 24, 2013
2013 Bio International Convention

Lt. Gov. Brown addresses Maryland life sciences companies at the 2013 Bio International Convention

Lt. Governor Anthony Brown addressed leaders in Maryland’s life sciences industry, both to offer thanks and ensure continued state-sponsored investment, during the 2013 Bio International Convention Wednesday morning.

“For all of the hard choices that we had to make, we never stopped investing in our biotech industry, because we know how important you are. You represent one of the strongest work horses in our economy and you offer a tremendous return on investment,” he said.

Brown reinforced Governor Martin O’Malley’s BioMaryland 2020 initiative, which calls for more than $1.3 billion in state-sponsored investments in the life sciences industry between 2010 and 2020. As of 2013, the state has already invested more than $600 million.

These investments have elevated or maintained the state’s position on several national rankings. These include the Milken Institute‘s State Technology and Science and Technology Index, which recently ranked Maryland second in the nation with an emphasis on human capital investment, research and development inputs, and technology and science work force.

“For all of our success, I think we can all agree there is still a lot of work to be done, and that’s why we remain committed to our bio sector and to our companies in the life sciences … we are dedicated to making sure that all of the cutting edge research produced here makes it to market,” he said.

Brown also praised the Maryland professionals working to address traumatic brain injuries. A panel discussion and other presentations related to traumatic brain injury prevention, diagnosis and treatment was planned at the BioMaryland pavilion following his remarks.

Maryland CEO named Biotechnology Industry Organization chair

Emily Kimball —  April 23, 2013

The Biotechnology Industry Organization announced a Maryland CEO as the new Chair of its Board of Directors. The appointment of Rachel King of GlycoMimetics, Inc., a privately held clinical-stage biotechnology company in Gaithersburg, was announced in conjunction with the 2013 Bio International Convention in Chicago this week.

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Maryland teens compete among international BioGENEiuses

Emily Kimball —  April 22, 2013

Joy Zeng is researching new methods to destroy cancer cells and Havisha Garimella is studying a protein believed to cause Alzheimer’s disease.

Their work appears similar to that of many working in Maryland’s growing life sciences industry—the difference, of course, is that they’re both only 17 years old.

Zeng, a senior from Poolesville High School, and Havisha Garimella, a junior from Mount Hebron High School, were recently named winners of the 2013 Maryland BioGENEius Challenge by the MdBio Foundation. Both received an all-expense paid trip to Chicago for the International BioGENEius Challenge during the 2013 BIO International Convention, where they were honored on Monday inside the BioMaryland pavilion.

“As you can see, our future is very bright here in the state of Maryland. We had a very difficult competition and these are two outstanding students,” said Brian Gaines, CEO of the MdBio Foundation.

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Maryland Venture Fund names Senior Life Sciences Principal

Emily Kimball —  April 18, 2013
InvestMaryland

InvestMaryland is the largest venture capital fund in Maryland history.

The Maryland Venture Fund is adding a new team member to assist in sourcing and evaluating equity investments in Maryland life sciences companies. Alastair Mackay, a cell biologist by training, has been named the Senior Life Sciences Principal, the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development announced Thursday.

“Working at Johns Hopkins and then at Osiris Therapeutics, I learned first-hand of the tremendous practical impacts of scientific discoveries,” Mackay said in a statement. “I hope to spot early stage Maryland companies that combine promising technology with clear, achievable plans for bringing their innovations to market.”

Within the InvestMaryland program, Mackay will focus on channeling funding toward the state’s most innovative and promising life sciences companies. His extensive industry experience stretches from the lab to the board room.

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Grants, business services await InvestMaryland Challenge winners

Emily Kimball —  April 15, 2013
InvestMaryland Challenge

i-Lighting won the $100,000 InvestMaryland Challenge prize in the general industry category.

From over 250 applicants, judges have chosen the final winners of the first-ever InvestMaryland Challenge of the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development.

Representing some of the most innovative early-stage companies from Maryland and beyond are the three $100,000 grand prize winners in each competition category.

InvestMaryland Challenge sponsors have also provided thousands of dollars in grants and business services to several participating companies.

Find descriptions of each special award below:

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University of Maryland BioPark welcomes nonprofit international virologists

Emily Kimball —  April 11, 2013
University of Maryland Biopark

University of Maryland Biopark

The Global Virus Network plans to move its headquarters to the University of Maryland BioPark in Baltimore, officials announced Thursday.

Emerging pandemic viral threats and current viral killers are a worldwide problem. For this reason, the nonprofit  GVN brings together the top medical virologists from more than 30 institutions in 21 countries, to promote international collaborative research, education and advocacy.

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Earth Starter named University of Maryland’s Cupid’s Cup winner

Emily Kimball —  April 8, 2013

Cash may not grown on trees, but a pair of University of Maryland alums just got thousands of dollars out of their innovative vegetable gardens.

Earth Starter LLC was named winner of the Cupid’s Cup Business & Innovation Showcase and Competition, sponsored by the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park. Under Armour founder Kevin Plank announced the final winner on April 5.

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InvestMaryland Challenge: Q&A with BOSS Medical

Emily Kimball —  April 1, 2013
bone graft

BOSS Medical specializes in bone graft devices.

Check back for Q&A profiles on all the competition finalists.

The first-ever InvestMaryland Challenge is down to its final round with just 33 companies competing for more than $300,000 in grants and business services. The final winners will be announced during the Governor’s Cup Awards Ceremony on April 15.

One of the companies, selected out of more than 250 applicants, is Baltimore-based BOSS Medical. To find out a little more about this innovative company, we spoke with CEO Neil Shah.

Q. What does BOSS Medical do, and how would you explain it to the average person?

A. BOSS Medical is an early-stage medical device company that we founded with the mission of developing orthopedic technologies to improve critical outcomes while decreasing health care costs. Right now we’re working on developing and commercializing our first product, which is the BOSS Harvester, which is a novel way for orthopedic surgeons to collect bone grafts from a patient in a minimally invasive manner. This is the core technology we’re working on commercializing right now. The product and our team both spun out of the Johns Hopkins Center for Bioengineering Innovation & Design back in 2011.

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Maryland Venture Fund invests $300K in early detection of Alzheimer’s

Emily Kimball —  March 27, 2013

 

InvestMaryland

InvestMaryland is the largest venture capital investment initiative in Maryland history.

Adlyfe, a biotechnology company working toward the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, will receive a $300,000 investment from the Maryland Venture Fund within the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development, officials announced Wednesday.

The Rockville-based company was selected through the MVF’s InvestMaryland program. Adlyfe also recently received a $200,000 grant from DBED’s Maryland Biotechnology Center.

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