BHI Expands Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR) Program

ROCKVILLE, Md. and BALTIMORE, June 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) announced today the hiring of three new entrepreneurs-in-residence (EIRs): two for the NIH and one to work with Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and Maryland-based health-technology companies. Additionally, BHI is actively recruiting neuroscience and neurology experts for EIR positions within the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

"We are thrilled to fill these additional EIR slots with experienced business leaders," said Richard Bendis, BHI President and CEO. "These new EIRs bring a breadth and depth of both scientific and entrepreneurial experience that will support breakthrough technologies and help identify new commercial opportunities alongside these national institutions."

Steve Wolpe, Ph.D., and Ethel Rubin, Ph.D., fill EIR roles created as a result of BHI's recently extended contract with NIH to provide its institutes with the services of five EIRs, starting with its two lead institutes, National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute (NHLBI) and NINDS. Both Drs. Wolpe and Rubin will accelerate the development of companies supported through Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) and build public-private partnerships with investors and other relevant stakeholders around novel initiatives focused on transitioning commercially relevant technologies to market.

Specifically, Dr. Wolpe will work on a trans-NIH initiative to facilitate commercialization of technologies as part of NIH's Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) program. He brings with him a wealth of cross-technology and cross-therapeutic area experience as a biotechnology executive with more than 30 years of experience in preclinical development of therapeutics and diagnostics in cancer, diabetes, inflammatory/autoimmune diseases and stem cells.

Prior to joining BHI as an EIR, Dr. Wolpe ran the largest research group at the Wellstat family of companies and served as an independent biotechnology consultant for a number of startup companies in the U.S., Israel and Russia. His notable scientific accomplishments include discovery and characterization of the chemokine family of inflammatory mediators; work on a novel Type 2 diabetes drug that successfully completed Phase 2 trials, resulting in a $350 million licensing deal with Sanofi-Aventis; and work with Targazyme, Inc. to bring their platform cell and immunotherapy technology to pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials.

Dr. Wolpe is the author on 28 peer-reviewed publications and over 45 patents. He completed his undergraduate work at Amherst College and received his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Anatomy. Dr. Wolpe conducted his postdoctoral work at the Population Council with Jennie Mather, Ph.D., and at Rockefeller University with Anthony Cerami, Ph.D.

Dr. Rubin will work within NIH's National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute (NHLBI) on extramural and intramural initiatives focused on commercialization and product development. She brings with her medical device experience across multiple therapeutic areas.

She is a visionary executive leader with a proven track record of driving expansion of groundbreaking product and strategic investment portfolios for global organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 100 corporations. Prior to joining BHI, Dr. Rubin held medical affairs and clinical strategy roles for Medtronic, plc.

Dr. Rubin's notable accomplishments include the development of clinical strategies for multiple product launches, globalization of the External Research Program for Medtronic's catheter ablation business, and the building of a strong and successful business development consultancy providing new market entry for clinical diagnostics manufacturers and venture capital investment firms. Dr. Rubin was previously the CSO of two other Maryland-based companies, CSA Medical and BioFortis, where she led funding, development and product commercialization. Dr. Rubin received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Rochester, earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, and completed an oncology fellowship in the Breast Cancer Research Program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Albine Martin, Ph.D., has been recruited to BHI as an EIR who will serve as a liaison to JHU. In addition, she will work with other Maryland companies sharing her knowledge of health research tools and diagnostics.

Dr. Martin brings over 20 years of product commercialization and corporate development experience with three Maryland-based public companies representing the biotechnology, diagnostics and life sciences sector to her role on the BHI EIR team. She also serves as a member of Active Angels for syndicated investments and sector expert for life science investment opportunities. Her combined expertise in science and business and a proven track record of building profitable business models has led to venture creation opportunities during her tenure as an Executive in Residence at Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Martin's notable achievements include the creation of "virtual" operational models for the advancement of oncology assets towards Phase 2 clinical trials and global management of a multimillion-dollar life science portfolio during her tenure at Life Technologies. Additionally, she established a collaboration with the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research/Food and Drug Administration (CBER/FDA) to create the first industry guidance for regulation of cellular therapy ancillary products. During her tenure at the start of Digene Diagnostics, she developed the first company revenue model and supported the subsequent approval of the first molecular human papilloma virus (HPV) test. Dr. Martin has established joint ventures and managed distributor relationships to enter new markets within Southeast Asia and Japan. She has also led the conversion of genomic data for the creation of novel revenue-producing life science consumable products. Dr. Martin received her B.S. at Trinity College, earned her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park, and holds a Certificate of Financial Management from Cornell University. She is a graduate of the Program on Leadership and Strategy in Pharmaceuticals and Biotech from the Harvard Business School.

Accepting Applications for Additional EIRs

BHI is looking for candidates for its Neuroscience EIR positions for NINDS who are energetic and motivated life science professionals with product development experience and subject matter expertise in the fields of neurology and neuroscience. The EIRs will reside within the NIH and will also support intramural and extramural initiatives on an as-needed basis. Additional information on the job description can be found here. Interested applicants should send their resume and cover letter to Amanda Wilson at [email protected].

About BioHealth Innovation, Inc.

BioHealth Innovation, Inc., is a regional innovation intermediary focused on commercializing market-relevant bio-health innovations and increasing access to early-stage funding in Maryland. BHI is known for providing commercial assistance to scientists and founders, educating and infusing Maryland's life science community with new and young entrepreneurs and fueling startups within Central Maryland's bio-ecosystem by connecting young companies to funding and business resources. Learn more at www.biohealthinnovation.org.

SOURCE BioHealth Innovation, Inc.

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