News ItemIn the Know: February 2019

February 12, 2019 – 

IN THE KNOW – FEBRUARY


We have arranged an exceptional luncheon program for you on Valentine’s Day – How To Tap Into The $50+ Billion Non-Dilutive Funding Market. If you are an entrepreneur or startup firm seeking federal funding or foundation grants, this is a must attend event. Our guest speaker is Ayal Ronen, M.Sc., MBA . Ronen is Vice President of the Boston-based FreeMind Group, the premier international consulting firm specializing in assisting life science organizations secure non-dilutive funding from US federal agencies and private foundations. FreeMind’s proven long-term strategic approach has garnered its clients over $1.5 billion to date. Awards have ranged from $150,000 to $150,000,000 per project. Its team of experts assist in making non-dilutive funding a key tool in a long-term sound financial strategy

In addition to Ayal, Alicia Keys, New Mexico’s new Secretary of Economic Development and former liaison of the Film Office for the City of Albuquerque, will attend and give a short overview of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and her administration’s plans for diversifying the state’s economy and support for the tech and bioscience sectors. Keyes was instrumental in Albuquerque and the state landing Netflix. The streaming giant announced a billion-dollar investment and its plans to purchase Albuquerque Studios and hire 1,000 workers each year for the next 10 years.
 
Finally, we want to thank the New Mexico Technology Council for its financial support in helping to underwrite the cost of the program.  

REGISTER NOW »
 
Greg
 
Greg Byrnes
Executive Director
NMBio
610-731-3671 (M)
 

Introducing NMBio’s Leadership Team for 2019


At the New Mexico Biotechnology & Biomedical Association’s annual board meeting in late January, Richard VanNess was selected to succeed Elizabeth “Lisa” Kuuttila as President. Richard is Director, Product Management TriCore Reference Labs. He works integrally with TriCore’s team responsible for building and releasing its new business, Diagnostic Optimization.  TriCore is attempting to redefine its position in the healthcare market and Richard is an essential member in assuring the right products are brought to market to assure customers find it valuable, useful, and assists the volume to value shift within healthcare.  He evaluates new opportunities, directs the strategy, and ensures overall product success by working closely with customers and team members.
 
Lisa, who served two years as president of the association, will remain on the association’s executive committee as one of three vice presidents.  Lisa joined STC.UNM (STC), the University of New Mexico’s technology-transfer program, as President & CEO in 2003. She is currently CEO & Chief Economic Development Officer of the organization. She works with the STC.UNM Board of Directors in developing strategies for implementing STC’s vision to play a vital role in New Mexico’s economic development and to be a leader in technology commercialization. Under her leadership, STC.UNM is substantially growing its program using the Rainforest model to develop an innovation ecosystem in New Mexico. In 2013, STC.UNM was tasked by the University with implementing its economic development initiatives under Lisa’s leadership. 
 
The association expanded its executive committee from four to six members. Returning members include Janeen Vilven-Doggett, a Partner at Peacock Law. P.C. and Michael Vickers, Director of Operations, Maas Biolabs. Janeen, who is nationally recognized and well known and experienced intellectual property practitioner, serves as the board’s Secretary. Prior to becoming an attorney, she spent almost 13 years as a research scientist at both Baylor College of Medicine (Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics), and the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center (Department of Pediatrics and Department of Pathology). Michael, the association’s Treasurer and a graduate of UNM’s Anderson Schools of Management, oversees the day to day operations for Maas Biolab, LLC and oversees the company’s several ongoing drug development projects. 
 
Board Members Wayne Savage and Darlene Harbour were elected to the Executive Committee as Vice Presidents.  Darlene, BSN, RN, CCRC, is President of Lovelace Scientific Resources, Inc. LSR is the Clinical Research Division of the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute. She is a Registered Nurse who has been working in clinical research and in multiple health disciplines for over 25 years. She also serves as program manager on clinical research projects for the military, sponsored by the Federal Government and research projects sponsored by the State of New Mexico. Wayne is the Executive Director of the Arrowhead Research Park at New Mexico State University, a 175-acre facility currently in development of a healthcare and medical technology industry campus centered around NMSU’s medical research capacities, the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Arrowhead Park High School Medical Academy, and a number of tenant partners. The park is a major component of NMSU’s economic development mission.

 

NMSBA Selects Michael Vickers for Its Advisory Council


NMBio Treasurer and Maas Biolab Director of Operations Michael Vickers has accepted a position on the New Mexico Small Business Assistance (NMSBA) Program Advisory Council.  The New Mexico Small Business Assistance (NMSBA) Program offers New Mexico small businesses facing technical challenges access to the unique expertise and capabilities of Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories. At no cost to the business, small businesses with a technical challenge can seek assistance from lab scientists or engineers for projects that require testing, design consultation and access to special equipment or facilities that are not available in the private sector.  The objective of the Advisory Council is to assist NMSBA in growing and promoting the program, as well as matching small business challenges to national laboratory expertise, resources, and capabilities.
 

Funding Opportunities Through the STTR Program


2:00–3:00 PM, April 10

Register here »

The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program provides universities a unique opportunity for faculty research and funding by working with a small business. This workshop will cover how to engage with a small business on an STTR, and what can be expected from the proposal preparation process through award. Emphasis will be placed on the Department of Defense (DoD) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) STTR programs, including what these agencies look for in innovation, and the commercialization goals of each.
 
The workshop will cover:
·     An overview of the STTR program
·     How you can engage with small businesses on a STTR proposal
·     An emphasis on the DoD and NASA STTR programs
·     An overview of the NM FAST program, and the tools and resources it has available
·     Critical steps and tips to consider when preparing a strong proposal
·     Information on the New Mexico SBIR Matching Grant and other NMEDD programs
·     Question and answer session
 
The workshop will also be webcast at this link. These workshops are being brought to you by the NM FAST program at Arrowhead Center and New Mexico Tech.

 

MedTech Conference, September 23-25, Boston


The MedTech Conference is your opportunity to connect with 3,000 medical technology professionals this September in Boston. Benefit from more than 100 sessions featuring 300+ speakers covering a variety of hot topics including cybersecurity, EU MDR, trade, inspections, M&A, precision medicine, AI, value-based care and many more. The conference is focused on business development, innovative technology, and networking with policymakers, business executives and industry leaders. To learn more about the conference, speakers, the agenda, and more. Visit https://www.themedtechconference.com/

If you are interested in exhibiting at this event, contact me by March 1.

 

FreeMind Webinar Will Focus on Biodefense and Infectious Disease Funding Opportunities – February. 26


The webinar It will introduce viewers to sources of funding from NIAID (awards close to $6 Billion annually), DTRA, DARPA, US Army and BARDA and give examples of current open solicitations. Click on this link to register for these and future webinars from FreeMind: http://www.freemindconsultants.com/webinars/
 

New and Renewing Members

Tis the season to join or renew your membership in NMBio. We are grateful to the following firms for making a financial commitment to the association:

Interesting Articles & Stats


A Discussion With Mathew Portnoy, The Head of a $1 Billion Seed Fund:
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/a93c379777c43b1df832f78e8/files/188bba0d-b9f2-431e-85c8-cb0a86b5674e/Portnoy_NIHSBIR.Freemind_2019.pdf

Cities Around The World Are Witnessing The Creation Of Innovation Districts: The Global Institute on Innovation Districts (GIID)

SAVSU Technologies Uses High Tech to Guarantee Low Temperatures:
https://www.abqjournal.com/1276392/abq-firm-uses-high-tech-to-guarantee-low-temperatures.html

With $100 Million MeiraGTX Deal, J&J Signals Bigger Move Into Gene Therapy. You can read it HERE.

7 Reasons Why You Should Jump On The Anti-VC Bandwagon:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dileeprao/2019/01/22/7-reasons-why-you-should-jump-on-the-anti-vc-bandwagon/#23e17a256ab8

The Most Active VC In Each Statehttps://www.cbinsights.com/research/most-active-tech-venture-capital-firms-us-map/

NSF SBIR Success Rates by State (2008-2017): https://ssti.org/blog/useful-stats-nsf-sbir-success-rates-state-2008-2017?utm_source=SSTI+Weekly+Digest
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