Celebrate Impact: Nominations are open for the 2024 BioBuzz Awards 

October 15, 2024

BioBuzz has been connecting the life science workforce since 2009. We’ve built an expansive community in the Mid-Atlantic with a national readership that spans from Massachusettes to Florida, and New York to California. For our next chapter, we’re building a proprietary talent logistics model to help employers source and hire life science talent. Learn more.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… nominations are open for the 2024 BioBuzz Awards! 

Celebrating the people, programs, and organizations who go above and beyond to support the success of our communities, the industry, and the patients that ultimately benefit, the BioBuzz Awards are community-nominated, community-voted, and celebrate YOU! 

We recognize six award categories annually in both the BioHealth Capital Region (Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia) and Greater Philadelphia. A nomination period [October 15 – November 1, 2024], followed by a voting period [November 18-December 16] will precede our award presentation [January 2025] with both a digital and a physical footprint. 

Last year’s Awards garnered over 105k+ impressions and 10k+ votes, celebrating 60 finalists and 12 award winners. This year we’re thrilled to continue to build on that momentum thanks to our incredible partners.

Nominations are open through 11:59pm on Monday, November 1, so don’t delay, nominate a person, program, or company today.

Leadership Award

Our Annual Leadership Award recognizes a regional biohealth leader who exemplifies an unwavering devotion to excellence.  This servant leader carries a legacy and lives each day with a passionate pursuit of excellence and innovation in their own work to make a difference in the lives of others. 

2023’s ‘John Holaday’ BioHealth Leadership Award winner was Jeff Galvin, CEO, American Gene Technologies and AddImmune and Life Science Cares Philadelphia Leadership Award was Ben Doranz, CEO and Co-Founder, Integral Molecular. 

The Community Builder Award

BioBuzz’s Community Builder Award award honors a thoughtful community builder that fosters intentional collaborations and meaningful contributions of their time, energy, and expertise to support the biohealth ecosystem. 

This individual, program, or organization has gone above and beyond their responsibilities to make an impact and is a servant leader who sees beyond their job description or the balance sheet. They strive to create a rising tide for all so that we can collectively make a greater impact on public health and patients around the world.

2023’s BioHealth Capital Region Community Builder was Sally Allain, Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS @ Washington, D.C. and Greater Philadelphia’s Community Builder was Melina Blees, Head, BioLabs Philadelphia. 

The Workforce Champion of the Year Award

BioBuzz’s Workforce Champion of the Year Award recognizes an individual, program, or organization that has made a measurable contribution to enhancing the biotech workforce within the region. Talent is the single most important, and limiting, variable to the success of a company and of a regional economy. 

2023’s BioHealth Capital Region Workforce Champion of Year was BioHub Maryland and Greater Philadelphia’s Workforce Champion of the Year was Rebecca Grant, Director, Life Sciences & Biotechnology, City of Philadelphia.

The Startup of the Year Award

BioBuzz’s Startup of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievements and innovations within the field of life sciences, honoring startups that have demonstrated exceptional contributions to advancing healthcare, biotechnology, and related industries. 

Recipients of this award are celebrated for their groundbreaking research, technological advancements, and overall impact on improving the quality of human life through cutting-edge solutions in life sciences. The award serves as a testament to the dedication and excellence of startups shaping the future of healthcare and biomedicine and who have pursued their mission with dedication and perseverance to build momentum toward commercialization.

2023’s BioHealth Capital Region Startup of the Year was Astek Diagnostics (Baltimore, MD) and Greater Philadelphia’s Startup of the Year was Aro Biotherapeutics (Gaithersburg, MD).

The Breakthrough Life Science Company of the Year Award

BioBuzz’s Breakthrough Life Science Company of the Year Award recognizes a company that has pursued their mission with dedication and perseverance and built momentum toward commercialization with a substantial breakthrough this past year. 

These companies have achieved important milestones such as advancing to a clinical-stage company, achieving successful pivotal trials, or getting FDA approval for the commercialization of their technology to bring it to the patients who need it. 

2023’s BioHealth Capital Region Breakthrough Life Science Company of the Year was Cartesian Therapeutics (Baltimore, MD) and Greater Philadelphia’s was Carisma Therapeutics (Philadelphia, PA).

The Employer of the Year Award

BioBuzz’s Employer of the Year Award honors a life science employer who is the foundation of a vibrant biotech cluster. 

Being a great employer is about building an exceptional workforce, developing an employee-centric culture that keeps employees engaged and empowers them to be ambassadors of your company, all while fostering a more inclusive and resilient workforce. It’s also about the ability to attract top talent and achieve your needed growth without compromising these elements. 

2023’s BioHealth Capital Region Employer of the Year was MilliporeSigma (Rockville, MD) and Greater Philadelphia’s Employer of the Year was Integral Molecular (Philadelphia, PA).