$25,000 grants help further research, bring new discoveries to commercial market
BALTIMORE, MD (April 22, 2015) – Faculty researchers from the University of Maryland, Baltimore and Johns Hopkins University and entrepreneurs building companies based on technologies from these institutions were recognized this week for their groundbreaking research with $200,000 in prizes. The awards were made by the two universities, the Abell Foundation and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development’s (DBED) BioMaryland Center as part of a day-long Joint Meeting of the Johns Hopkins Alliance for Science and Technology Development and the University of Maryland, Baltimore Commercial Advisory Board.
First awarded in 2010 to support early-stage research and enable commercialization, the BioMaryland prizes are two $25,000 grants to startup companies affiliated with Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland, Baltimore. In addition, the University of Maryland, Baltimore and Johns Hopkins University awarded two $25,000 prizes to university researchers, and the Abell Foundation awarded two $50,000 prizes to university researchers to address critical funding gaps in the translation to market of promising university research and invention.
Winning the BioMaryland prizes are startups Sonavex Surgical, a spinout of Johns Hopkins University that is developing a system to improve post-operative vessel clot detections, minimizing the chance of surgical failure; and Analytical Informatics, a University of Maryland, Baltimore spinout that is developing innovative health IT solutions for clinicians initially focused on radiology.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore prize went to researchers Didier Depireux and Radi Masri for research on magnetic delivery of therapeutic nanoparticles to dental pulp. The Johns Hopkins University prize was awarded to researcher Kannan Rangaramanujam, who is developing targeted nanotherapies for cerebral palsy.
Winners of the Abell Foundation awards are Richard Macko, Professor; Anindo Roy, Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology; and Larry Forrester in the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Science, who are developing a bio-based software engine for adaptive control of modular robots for clinical neuro-rehabilition; and Frank Bosman, Assistant Professor of Physiology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, for his work treating epilepsy with novel triazole compounds.
“We are proud to work with our partners at Johns Hopkins, the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the Abell Foundation to help advance the groundbreaking research being spun out of these world-class universities from the lab into the commercial marketplace,” said DBED Secretary Mike Gill. “I salute all of the faculty innovators and entrepreneurs for the important role they play in keeping our state on the cutting edge of innovation and discovery.”
“More faculty at Hopkins than ever before are interested in translating their technologies from the bench to the bedside,” said Christy Wyskiel, Senior Advisor to the President of Johns Hopkins University, “The Alliance meeting allows us to showcase many of these inventions and startups in one day demonstrating the breadth of innovation occurring right here in Baltimore. We are grateful for the support from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and from the Abell Foundation.”
“This again was an outstanding showcase of our best translationally-focused and commercially- -oriented technologies,” said Jay A. Perman, MD, president, University of Maryland, Baltimore. “These awards will stimulate further discovery and we are excited about the prospects for this year's winners.”
Robert C. Embry, Jr., President of the Abell Foundation, added, “The Joint Meeting of the Alliance offers a terrific opportunity for exceptional research-based discoveries among faculty and researchers at both institutions to be showcased and promoted.”
The annual meeting was attended by more than 200 venture capitalists, seasoned biotech entrepreneurs and business development executives from the biopharma industry. Judging committees evaluated presentations from startups and university researchers before selecting the two winners.
About DBED
The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing workforce training and financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State's many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit
www.choosemaryland.org.
BioMaryland Center
The BioMaryland Center is the office within Maryland's Department of Business and Economic Development which connects life sciences companies, academic and federal researchers with each other and with potential sources of capital, partners, clients and other resources. Center staff provide information regarding funding and other resources, business plan feedback, access to market research, advocacy, and other industry support. The BioMaryland Center also promotes the State’s life sciences industry domestically and abroad.
www.Bio.Maryland.gov.
