Upcoming 3rd Annual BioBuzz Awards to Celebrate Winners from Maryland, Philadelphia

In addition to the reception, the event will also feature several panels comprised of esteemed local key opinion leaders

By Alex Keown
May 2, 2023

Hundreds of life sciences representatives will converge at the new Rye Street Market Center in Baltimore Peninsula on May 18 to celebrate organizations from two top 10 ecosystems during the third-annual BioBuzz Awards.

The annual awards celebration and symposium celebrates the people, programs and organizations who go above and beyond to support the success of the life sciences communities in the BioHealth Capital Region and Philadelphia. This year’s awards recognize individuals and organizations who have made a significant contribution in their communities and fields, contributions that ultimately benefit patients. The celebration brings together awards recipients, presenters and attendees from Maryland, Virginia, Philadelphia and beyond.

“This is a real opportunity to not only celebrate the award winners, but also build bridges and foster connectivity between multiple life sciences markets,” Chris Frew, chief engagement officer of BioBuzz and Workforce Genetics said.

Since the first BioBuzz Awards were given out in late 2020, the event has expanded from an evening awards dinner to a half-day symposium that includes multiple panels, a keynote address from Boro Dropulić, cofounder and executive director of Caring Cross, as well as a networking reception with key leaders from both regions.

The panels are a first for the awards. This year, the BioBuzz Awards will feature three panels. The first panel of the day, The State of Human Capital in Life Science, will focus on the industry’s need for highly-qualified talent. Panel members will discuss employer responses to challenging market conditions, and also discuss a myriad of topics including compensation trends, recruitment, training and workforce development.

The second panel of the day, Raising Capital in 2023, will focus on current financing trends faced by the industry. Venture capitalists, as well as industry leaders who have recently completed financial raises will share their insights on the current capital markets and what startups need to do in order to raise necessary financing in the current economy.

Rounding out the day is the third panel, Catalysts for Innovation Ecosystems. The panel of experts will highlight the challenges and strategies related to fostering entrepreneurial and innovative life sciences ecosystems. The panelists, two from the BHCR and two from Philadelphia, will also discuss growth initiatives across the lifecycle of innovation, from research to commercialization.

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Following the panel discussions, the 2022 BioBuzz Awards will be presented. The 2022 recipients are:

‘John Holaday’ BioHealth Leadership Award

Dr. Kurt Newman, President & CEO, Children’s National Hospital — Newman is a surgeon and recognized leader in pediatric health. He joined Children’s National Hospital in 1984 and became Surgeon-in-Chief in 2003.

Community Builder Award

Venture Café Philadelphia – Venture Café Philadelphia is a non-profit organization with a mission to boost the innovation local ecosystem. The organization’s mission is to “connect innovators to make things happen” through high-impact programming, spaces, storytelling, and broad innovation engagement.

BioBuzz Media Award

American Gene Technologies “The Cure Chronicles” Video Series – AGT’s Cure Chronicles documents the stories of people living with HIV, as well as those of HIV advocates, medical experts, public policy makers and others who are united by the common goal of finding a cure for HIV.

Workforce Champion of the Year Award

The Biomedical Technician Training Program (BTT Program) – Iovance, Wistar Institute, West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and Philadelphia Works – The BTT Program is a series of courses that provides students the opportunity to gain hands-on learning in biomedical research.

Breakthrough Company of the Year Award

Vaccitech – Vaccitech is developing novel immunotherapeutics and vaccines for the treatment of chronic infectious diseases, cancer, autoimmunity, and other diseases where the T cell arm of the immune system is believed to play an important role.

Employer of the Year Award

Center for Breakthrough Medicines – The Center for Breakthrough Medicines is an advanced therapy-focused CDMO in Pennsylvania. Since its founding in 2019, CBM has expanded its capabilities to provide preclinical through commercial manufacturing of cell and gene therapies for client companies.

A reception allowing for additional networking and bridge building between the two markets will follow the awards. The day’s events also includes a special luncheon for sponsors, winners, and select guests featuring keynote speaker Stephen M. Perry, founder and CEO of North Carolina-based Kymanox. The luncheon “What’s Happening Now in Life Science – and What is Coming Next!” will offer participants a unique perspective on current opportunities and vision casting for the future.