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  • 4 Sep 2019 7:56 PM | Deleted user

    Sonia Robinson to lead the state-wide organization 

    BIO Alabama, the statewide bioscience association has announced its first full-time executive director, Sonia Robinson.  Robinson will lead the organization to assist its members and the state in growing jobs, increasing research investment, and expanding international trade.

    The Biosciences industry in Alabama contributes $7.3 Billion in economic impact. 

    “The entire life sciences ecosystem is active in Alabama from research to institutional tech transfer; from startups and corporate innovation to global manufacturing,” said Greg Canfield, Secretary of Commerce, Alabama Department of Commerce. “With this milestone, BIO Alabama is positioned to foster continued growth and development within the bioscience industry.”

    The industry segments represented in Alabama include medical devices and materials, pharmaceuticals, research and development, information technology, genetics,  genomics and personalized medicine. BIO Alabama is the state partner of the international life sciences trade organization Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).

    BIO Alabama’s mission is to cultivate a thriving bioscience ecosystem in Alabama through collaboration and investment, both in industry and research.  Board Chair Peggy Sammon said, “Alabama is home to cutting edge research and innovation; we want to be recognized as such and to help our bioscience industry grow. It’s time to devote full time resources to this goal and we’re confident that Sonia Robinson will bring the leadership and strategic thinking to this effort.”   

    Robinson’s career in healthcare marketing and public relations and her experience with startups are very relevant to the issues BIO Alabama will be addressing. Robinson has held positions in marketing, business development, customer service, human resources, and back-office operations. In 2017, Robinson was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Her personal investigation into treatment options gave her deep respect for the efforts of researchers and especially the role of personalized medicine. Robinson is now active as a survivor and advocate.  

    “As an Alabama native, I am so proud of our rich history in agriculture, automobiles, tech, rockets, and aviation. Bioscience joined the state narrative years ago, but it is time to share that news of those successes and impact more broadly,” said Sonia Robinson. “Communities and companies in Alabama are already experiencing how bioscience is an economic force for our future,” Robinson adds. 

    BIO Alabama members join an exceptional network of innovative companies and industry thought leaders. Members gain access to opportunities for collaboration, trade, exposure, professional development, networking, and growth within the bioscience industry. 

    “We have an active board ready to support our new executive director with strategic initiatives designed to cultivate relationships and expand networks for the many bioscience companies in our state,” said Blair King, Board Chair-Elect. “BIO Alabama enhances state-wide economic development initiatives by supporting new, emerging, and existing bioscience organizations through collaboration, advocacy, and support.” 

    BIO Alabama is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Satellite offices are located throughout the state.  

  • 12 Aug 2019 3:51 PM | Deleted user

    Acclinate Genetics wants to ensure clinical research is truly as diverse as the world we live in 

    Huntsville, Ala. – Did you know? A person’s genetic ethnicity impacts their propensity for certain diseases. For example, hypertension, and kidney disease are more common among African Americans. The effectiveness and potential side effects of medicines can also vary depending on someone’s genetic ethnicity. However, there is significant underrepresentation of ethnically diverse people in genomic research and clinical trials, leading to greater health disparity and inequality.

    Acclinate Genetics is working to change that.

    "As our country becomes more diverse, the time is now to address the underrepresentation of minorities and people of color in genomic research and clinical trials,” said Acclinate founder and president, Delmonize “Del” Smith, PhD.

    Located on the campus of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Acclinate was founded with a mission of helping clinical research organizations achieve the most representative research sample by expanding their genomic research and clinical trials to include diverse ethnic groups.

    Disparities have dire implications for precision medicine as we approach 2060 when non-Caucasians outnumber Caucasians in the U.S. Racial and ethnic minorities make up 40% of U.S. population but are only 2%-16% of clinical studies. As a result, actionable insights for people of color and minority populations are not readily available. This has a direct impact on ethical, scientific, and financial measures of success. 

    “When it comes to genomic research and clinical trials, we represent the underrepresented,” said Smith. “Our mission is to achieve health equity and personalized healthcare for all.”

    Smith is a serial entrepreneur with extensive management and leadership experience in healthcare, IT, education and government. In addition to being founder and CEO of Acclinate, Smith serves as dean of the business school at Alabama A&M University. His involvement in Huntsville’s business community connected him to HudsonAlpha and the opportunities for startups on the biotech campus.

    “HudsonAlpha provides opportunities for not only research and education institutions, but also entrepreneurs,” said Smith. “It’s great to know that there’s a place in our own backyard setup to attract companies and help them grow.”

    Acclinate understands the barriers that lie ahead on its journey to diversifying genomic research and clinical trials – such as overcoming the historical context resulting from events such as the Tuskegee syphilis experiment – and is taking steps toward increasing patient awareness about the value of participating in such programs.

    In doing so, the company established the Enhanced Diversity & Inclusion in Clinical Trials, or e-DICT Program, which combines a unique participant management system to identify barriers to diverse subgroup participation, specifically racial and ethnic minorities, in U.S.-based clinical trials and employ strategies to achieve greater participation and retention.

    To learn more about how Acclinate’s services can benefit your company, visit acclinategenetics.com.



    ###

    About Acclinate Genetics: Acclinate Genetics was founded with a mission of helping clinical research organizations achieve the most representative research sample by expanding their genomic studies and clinical trials to include diverse ethnic groups. We believe diversifying genomic research and clinical trials to include more people of color increases knowledge about health issues and makes a difference in personalized healthcare for all.


  • 9 Aug 2019 1:01 PM | Deleted user

    Alabama is recognized as a growing hub for biotechnology, drug discovery, medical devices, and other life sciences. To demystify the biotech startup process, Bradley and BIO Alabama have organized a morning of informational meetings with highly experienced speakers who offer insight to facilitate successful startup ventures.

    Events Details:

    Date: Monday, August 19, 2019

    Time: 8:30 a.m. - Noon

    Location: Bradley 1819 5th Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203

    Cost: $10 / FREE for students

    Register Life Sciences Bootcamp now.

    Speaker Line-Up:

    "How you form your company really matters - how to do it right"

    James Childs JD, Maynard Cooper and Gale

    8:30 - 9:05 AM

    James is a member of Maynard Cooper’s Corporate, Securities and Tax practice group and serves as chair of the firm’s Venture Capital and Emerging Growth practices. His clients range from high-tech starts-ups to large, mature manufacturing businesses. Voted “2018 Lawyer of the Year” for Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, James draws on his vast experience to offer insightful tips on life science company formation. 

    "Federal funding is available — how to win it"

    Erik Schwiebert PhD, Discovery BioMed

    9:05 - 9:40 AM

    Erik is founder and director of DiscoveryBioMed, Inc., where he focuses on overall leadership matters, serves as the principal science consultant in client work, and manages the company’s research and development efforts.

    "Your ideas have value - how to protect them"

    Nick Landau PhD, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings

    9:40 - 10:15 AM

    Nick Landau works with individuals, universities, startups, growing businesses, and publicly traded companies to procure, protect and litigate all forms of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. He combines his research background in microbiology with his training in law to strategically serve life science companies.

    "Investors are out there - how to find the right ones"

    Mike Mullen, CirculoGene

    10:15 - 10:50 AM

    Mike offers insight from 25 years of experience in executive and financial leadership positions. Currently the chairman and CEO of Circulogene, he previously served as president and CEO of Atherotech, Inc. and received the Entrepreneur of the Year award from Ernst and Young in 2014.

    "Capital networks offer guidance and funding - how to use them"

    Miller Girvin, Alabama Capital Network

    10:50 - 11:25 AM

    Miller is CEO of the Alabama Capital Network, which was founded to facilitate the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Alabama. She connects Alabama-based companies with the resources they need to grow, including mentorship and access to capital. 

    “Tapping into no-cost local resources for startups, trade, and contracting”

    Carolyn Turner, Alabama International Trade Center

    11:25 - 12:00 PM

    Carolyn is a Licensed Customs Broker and Nasbite Certified Global Business professional. She began working with the Trade Center in 2008, where she uses her import/export experience to counsel Alabama companies.

    Tickets can be purchased for $10 (including service fee) through Eventbrite and FREE for students.

    (If the link above does not work, please copy and paste http://bit.ly/2S37Qtx into your brower to access the Eventbrite page.)

  • 9 May 2019 11:05 AM | Anonymous

    Business leaders and trade specialists from across Alabama are getting an up-close look at the bioscience sector in Ireland and the United Kingdom during a trade mission that seeks to spark new opportunities for nearly a dozen Alabama firms... Read Full Article Here.

  • 16 Apr 2019 8:29 AM | Anonymous

    "Alabama is well represented in this newest field of medical research. Perhaps more promising than the genome is the new frontier of the microbiome — your gut microbes and “all of the bugs that are living in symbiotic relationship with us.”  Read Full Article Here.

  • 15 Apr 2019 9:18 AM | Anonymous

    "In a little more than a generation, Alabama has emerged as a powerhouse in automotive manufacturing. The state is home to assembly plants operated by Mercedes-Benz, Honda and Hyundai, as well as a Toyota engine plant..."  Read Full Article Here

  • 27 Mar 2019 8:31 AM | Anonymous

    "By any measure, it is remarkable growth.  In the past five years, the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine has climbed 10 places on the National Institutes of Healthresearch funding rankings, from 31 in the nation to 21. Total NIH funding during that period rose from $133,264,288 in 2013 to $234,390,799 in 2018. The story of how Alabama’s flagship medical school came to be standing on the doorstep of the 20 top-funded schools in the nation is one of commitment, vision and hard work"

    Read Full Article Here


  • 25 Mar 2019 12:11 PM | Anonymous

    The NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) is seeking applicants for its small business funding opportunities through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. NCATS offers annual funding for the development of innovative tools, technologies and intervention (drug, device, diagnostic) platforms that would support the creation of novel therapeutics. 

    NCATS has released a new SBIR contract solicitation to support small businesses interested in developing innovative health technologies. The standard deadlines to submit an application for open NCATS SBIR and STTR Omnibus Solicitation are April 5, 2019; September 5, 2019; and January 5, 2020.

    For more information about NCATS, its SBIR and STTR programs, and upcoming funding opportunities, visit the Small Business Opportunities page. If you have general questions about the NCATS SBIR and STTR program or want to discuss potential project ideas and related questions, email NCATS-SBIRSTTR@mail.nih.gov


  • 13 Dec 2018 1:30 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    This year saw a renewed focus on the bioscience sector in Alabama – an industry that stretches to nearly every corner of the state. It was identified by local and state economic development groups as an area where the state is poised to grow.

    At the Economic Development Association of Alabama Winter Conference in February, Peggy Sammon, Chairman for BioAlabama, said the industry organization was ready to take the lead role in making that growth happen. To kick off their efforts, the group issued an impact study.

    Read Full Article Here

  • 20 Nov 2018 2:04 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The word “biotech” might evoke images of lab coats and petri dishes and, while that is certainly part of the story, BIO Alabama wants to make sure it isn’t the entire story.

    A new video with amped-up music and images that cut across a wide swath of the important industry aims to frame biotech differently in the state.

    Read Full Article Here


Connecting the Bioscience Ecosystem in Alabama

BIO Alabama
P.O. Box 583
Arab, AL 35016


administrator@bioalabama.com

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