Six Philadelphia Biotech Innovators Honored at Life Science Cares Philadelphia’s 2024 Impact
BioBuzz Awards showcase Philadelphia region’s biotech and life sciences leaders and innovators.
May 10, 2024
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Last week, biotech leaders and innovators in and around Philadelphia joined us to celebrate the 30 finalists and six winners of BioBuzz’s inaugural Philadelphia Awards at Life Science Cares Philadelphia’s 2024 Impact Reception.
“Nominated by and voted on by our community of life science professionals, our Annual Awards are community-driven and our celebrations have always been so much more than a BioBuzz event,” said Chris Frew, CEO, BioBuzz Networks. “They’re symbolic of the larger community and the role that we all play in uplifting the industry and those making impact. We are grateful to Life Science Cares for catalyzing their platform and this event to celebrate the people, programs, organizations, and ecosystem as one.”
With over 35,000 impressions and 7,000+ votes during the nomination process for the 2023 awards, it showcases the enthusiastic participation and importance of and widespread respect for these awards.
Without further adieu, here are your inaugural Philadelphia BioBuzz Annual Award winners.
Life Science Cares Leadership Award
Ben Doranz, CEO and Co-Founder, Integral Molecular
Ben was recognized for his visionary leadership in advancing antibody discovery technologies, significantly impacting therapeutic developments and patient outcomes.
Runner-ups:
- Bryan Kim, CEO and Co-Founder, Verismo Therapeutics, Inc.
- Jeff Marrazzo, Co-Founder, Spark Therapeutics
- Joseph Truitt, CEO, iECURE, Inc.
- Madeline Bell, President and CEO, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
2023 Community Builder of the Year
Melina Blees, Head, BioLabs Philadelphia
Melina stands out for her instrumental role in fostering a supportive biotech community in Philadelphia, providing startups with the resources and network needed to thrive.
Runner-ups:
- Ben Franklin Technology Partners
- Katie Nash, Senior Director, External Affairs, University City Science Center
- Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT)
- Wexford Science & Technology
2023 Workforce Champion of the Year
Rebecca Grant, Director, Life Sciences & Biotechnology, City of Philadelphia
Rebecca’s dedication to developing the biotech workforce has bridged the gap between talent and opportunity, ensuring the industry’s future is bright and inclusive.
Runner-ups:
- Brandywine Realty Trust‘s B+Labs
- SK Pharmteco’s Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing Training Academy
- Tia Lyles-Williams, D.Sc., Founder, Black Latin-X Indigenous Institutes of Health (BLIIH)
- West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI)
2023 Startup of the Year
As a leader in the development of protein medicines, Aro Biotherapeutics was celebrated for its innovative approach to treating diseases previously considered untreatable.
Runner-ups:
- ArriVent Biopharma (Newtown Square, PA)
- Blue Whale Bio (Philadelphia, PA)
- Vitara Biomedical (Philadelphia, PA)
- Vivodyne (Philadelphia, PA)
2023 Breakthrough Company of the Year
Carisma is pioneering the field of CAR-Macrophage therapeutics, showcasing remarkable potential in cancer treatment and marking a significant breakthrough in immunotherapy.
2023 Employer of the Year
With a commitment to fostering an inclusive and dynamic workplace, Integral Molecular sets the standard for employee engagement and satisfaction in the biotech industry.
“As a proud member of the Philadelphia biotech community, we are deeply honored to be recognized by BioBuzz and by our peers. Our journey from a small startup to a biotech center of over a hundred people is a testament to the opportunities and resources available in Philadelphia, as well as the innovation, creativity, and dedication of our incredible team at Integral Molecular.” -Benjamin Doranz, CEO and Co-founder of Integral Molecular
Runner-ups:
- Cabaletta Bio (Philadelphia, PA)
- Iovance Biotherapeutics (Philadelphia, PA)
- VintaBio (Philadelphia, PA)
- Tmunity Therapeutics (now part of Kite-Giliad) (Philadelphia, PA)
As part of Life Science Cares program, nine non-profit partners were also recognized to include:
- Building 21/Launchpad
- BLIIH (Black Latin-X Indigenous Institutes for Health)
- IT TAKES PHILLY / Black Doctor’s Consortium
- birdSEED Foundation
- Hopeworks
- Pathways to Housing PA
- Maternity Care Coalition
- West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
- Centennial Parkside CDC
Learn more here.
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Passion. It’s what makes Cat tick. Born and raised in Baltimore, Cat is a former Division-I lacrosse athlete (Hofstra ’09), entrepreneur, and mom of three (crazy) boys. Over the last 12 years, she’s built and led countless teams (on the field, in the gym, and in the office), scaled programs and brands (in both scope and geography), and driven growth and impact in nearly everything she touches. She loves being part of something bigger than herself and has found a new home within the life sciences as BioBuzz’s Head of Marketing.
