BioHealth Innovation to Co-Sponsor First National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Mid-Atlantic Innovation Conference

ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI), a regional private-public partnership focusing on commercializing market-relevant biohealth innovations and increasing access to early-stage funding in Central Maryland, announced today its role as a co-sponsor of the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) First Mid-Atlantic Innovation Conference. The Conference, which is designed to bring together small businesses, angel investors, venture capitalists, strategic partners, and business leaders from the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, will be held on Monday, October 15 from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Johns Hopkins University, Montgomery County Campus, 9601 Medical Center Drive, Gilchrist Hall Auditorium, in Rockville, Maryland.

"It's an honor for our BHI team to work with NHLBI, one of the top NIH research institutions, in helping to create greater awareness for the quality of research and increased emphasis on innovation and commercialization coming out of this federal institution," said Richard Bendis, BioHealth Innovation, Inc. President & Chief Executive Officer. "This aligns both with the BHI mission and with the goal of our existing partnership with NIH: To advance human health while growing jobs in Central Maryland through the formation of new companies."

During the conference, leaders from NHLBI will share information about the NHLBI Office of Translational Alliances and Coordination, changes in the SBIR/STTR program re-authorization, and other funding opportunities and resources. NHLBI staff will also be available to provide advice to applicants and awardees.

"The NHLBI is pleased to initiate this first in a planned series of regional innovation conferences.  The conferences are designed to provide a forum to showcase small businesses funded by the NHLBI SBIR program, to provide networking and potential funding opportunities for them, and to provide information to the regional research and business communities about the NHLBI and its programs," said Jodi Black, Ph.D., Deputy Director, Division of Extramural Research Activities, NHLBI, NIH.

The conference will include a company showcase, which will feature the following NHLBI-funded companies: GPB Scientific, LLC, HemoShear, HemoSonics, New Health Sciences, Inc., and Weinberg Medical Physics, LLC.  In addition, funding and partnering experts from the Maryland Biotechnology Center, New Enterprise Associates, MedImmune, LLC and NexImmune, Inc. will participate in an investor panel discussion. Joining BHI as a sponsor of the event is Prescience International.

Visit http://nhlbifallroadshow.eventbrite.com/ to register for the conference. Information on parking and directions to the Johns Hopkins University Montgomery County Campus can be found at http://web.jhu.edu/MCC/directions.html.

BHI is co-sponsoring this event as part of a contract with the NHLBI.

About NHLBI

The NHLBI provides global leadership for a research, training, and education program to promote the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, and blood diseases and enhance the health of all individuals so that they can live longer and more fulfilling lives. For more information, visit http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/.

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. Learn more at www.biohealthinnovation.org.

SOURCE BioHealth Innovation, Inc.