UMBI Hosts First Event of 20th Anniversary Celebration
“Entrepreneur Day” A Big Success

ROCKVILLE, MD- More than 140 people gathered on Thursday, July 21, in Rockville at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI) at Shady Grove to celebrate Entrepreneur Day. The event, hosted by UMBI, is a first in a series of events celebrating the Institute’s 20th anniversary year.

Entrepreneur Day showcased scientific advancements that have commercial opportunities, as well as the success of UMBI spin-out companies. Guests for the affair included Biotech CEO’s, economic development officials, investors, research partners from North Carolina and Maine, and faculty and staff from all five UMBI research centers. The celebration was held at the UMBI Auditorium in Shady Grove, where both business and science leaders mingled and networked.

UMBI President, Dr. Jennie Hunter-Cevera, set the stage in the opening address where she explained UMBI’s vision, mission and accomplishments. She said, “One of UMBI’s core missions is to foster economic development and growth in the biotech sector, and we are seeing both the direct and indirect economic impact of UMBI’s efforts. In recent years, by focusing on scientific inquiries with industrial applications, UMBI has expanded its technology portfolio. These technologies that impact people’s lives are being commercialized through licensing agreements with established companies and through the formation of new start-up companies.”

Dr. Karen Bernstein, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of BioCentury Publications of California, gave a presentation on “The State of Biotechnology Universe.” During her remarks, Dr. Bernstein discussed the impact of both money and politics on the future of the industry. “Although the absolute amount of money available to companies in the Biotech sector has remained relatively constant for the past 2 years, the parameters for investing in a company have changed,”she said. “A company today must demonstrate a clear path to clinical trials, and have a broad platform technology or a rapid liquidity strategy in order to attract venture capital.” She further noted that, “there is a real need for investments in early state technology to advance these companies to a stage that attracts venture capital.” Dr. Bernstein also called for the biotech community to become more involved in the political process and to play a part in influencing policy decisions that affect their businesses, noting how current IT intellectual property legislation could adversely affect the biotech sector.

Following this national perspective presentation several UMBI research scientists made presentations related to the potential commercial opportunities of their current research. Dr. Chris Geddes from the Medical Biotechnology Center (MBC) spoke of new metal-enhanced fluorescence technologies that may be used in point-of-care assessment kits. He noted how microwave accelerated compact assays may one day be used for cardiac risk assessment tests. Next, Dr. Maria Salvato from the Institute of Human Virology (IHV) discussed important issues surrounding the novel vaccine to treat Lassa fever. In addition, Dr. Salvato explained the benefits of the vaccine compared to other treatments in terms of cost efficiency and a simple method of consumptions. This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Yossi Tal from the Center of Marine Biotechnology (COMB) which focused on the next generation of marine aquaculture technologies. The biosecure, patented and environmentally-friendly system may present a healthy alternative to net pen fishing. Dr. Kevin Sowers, also from COMB spoke of his work with microbes and PCB bioremediation technologies which are patented. Currently, he is seeking partners, such as large engineering firms, to support further studies in this area of PCB bioremediation. The session continued with a presentation by Dr. Mervyn Monterio from the MBC, in which he described the role of ubiquilin which may regulate the build up of detrimental proteins in Alzheimer Disease. He noted that “modifying the levels of these regulators could markedly reduce the loss of the mental capacity in alzheimers patients.” Next, Dr. Shunyuan Xiao from the Center for BioSystems Research (CBR) reported on a genetic approach that could be used to create disease resistant plants. In addition, Dr. C. David Pauza from the IHV opened his remarks by saying, “These presentations today should show you not only UMBI technologies, but also showcase and demonstrate how people use science in everyday applications.” Dr. Pauza followed this statement by discussing research related to delta-t cells and pathogens of cancers, and explaining how certain research in his lab may also help prevent bioterrorism.

(From left to right) Dr. Kevin Sowers; Dr. Shunyuan Xiao; Dr. Mervyn Monteiro; Dr. C. David Pauza; Dr. Maria Salvato; Dr. Chris Geddes; Dr. Yossi Tal.

Following this panel, the audience heard from four UMBI entrepreneurs. These are scientists who at one time worked at UMBI or still work at UMBI, and utilized UMBI or joint UMBI/UMB technology to form a business. Dr. Bruce Weintraub, co-founder of Montgomery-based Trophogen, located in the I-270 biotech corridor, was the first panelist. He noted that “entrepreneurs need to not only have a platform, but also have a pipeline, a sufficiently big, multi-million dollar market, and must meet a societal need.” The second panelist, Jeff Meshulam of the newly created Baltimore-based Profectus Biosciences, explained how important it is for any new start-up company to move from concept to market. Meshulam also noted that there is an extra added value that new companies can achieve by including experienced entrepreneurs on their board. Next, Dr. Mike Gilson, the Chief Scientist for Verachem, LLC, spoke of his bioinformatics company and how his company meets a need by creating scientifically correct software to speed drug discovery and design. The last of the entrepreneur panel speakers was Dr. Phil Bryan, representing Potomac Affinity Proteins, one of the youngest UMBI companies recently spun out this summer and consisting of a two employees. Dr. Bryan’s company was created to meet a protein purification need that is not currently being met by industry.

(From left to right) Dr. Mike Gilson; Dr. Phil Bryan; Jeff Meshaulam; Dr. Bruce Weintraub; Dr. Claude Nash.

Other keynote speakers included Chief Scientist and Deputy Secretary for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Christopher Foster, who highlighted some key entrepreneurial accomplishments in Maryland, and Dr. John W. Holaday, Chairman of the Harvest Bank of Maryland and member of the UMBI Board of Visitors who spoke about what it takes to get from the bench to the boardroom. Having a solid business plan, smart investors, and protecting intellectual property globally were three key messages. The day concluded with a final panel of speakers which included C. Robert Eaton from MdBIO, Dr. Steven L. Fritz from TEDCO, Dr. Martha Connolly from MIPS and Elizabeth Good from DBED; all entities which support entrepreneurs and the biotech sector.

(From left to right) Elizabeth Good; Dr. Martha Connolly; C. Robert Eaton; Dr. Steven L. Fritz; Dr. Jennie Hunter-Cevera.

UMBI will also host a Research Day entitled Bioscience at the Forefront to Meet Societal Needs; a Stakeholders event to recognize the educational aspects of UMBI’s efforts; a 20th anniversary Gala event; and the Grand Opening of UMBI’s Shady Grove Expansion at the Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology (CARB) as part of its 20th anniversary celebration. A “Crabtown Crab” sculpture display highlighting the life cycle of the Maryland blue crab and the work of the COMB is also on display in Baltimore as part of this celebration. For more information on Entrepreneur Day or other UMBI 20th anniversary events, please contact Alicia Moran at (410) 385-6310 or by e-mail at moran@umbi.umd.edu.

To view Dr. Karen Bernstein's presentation click HERE.
To view Dr. John Holaday's presentation click HERE.

For more information on the speakers click HERE.
To view the program click HERE.

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Celebrating our 20th anniversary year, UMBI is the first and only biotechnology research institute within the University System of Maryland and was established in 1985. The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI) consists of five major research and education centers and is dedicated to advancing the frontiers of biotechnology. UMBI’s centers of research include: CARB, the Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology located in Rockville; CBR, the Center for Biosystems Research located in College Park; and COMB, the Center of Marine Biotechnology, MBC, the Medical Biotechnology Center, and IHV, the Institute of Human Virology, all located in Baltimore. For more information, visit www.umbi.umd.edu