Welcome to the latest edition of the BioLines Weekender...

With the onset of 2021 comes hope and encouragement, as the landmark New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 was signed into law yesterday by Governor Murphy. The $14.4-billion New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 features exciting new programs as well as enhancements to existing programs that will result in economic development opportunities for New Jersey while propelling the State's economic recovery and growth for much of the next decade.

The first of its kind New Jersey Innovation Evergreen program will help to ensure that New Jersey is competitive in critical venture funding for high-growth sectors, while the enhancements to both the NJEDA's NOL Program and the Angel Investor Tax Credit Program will make the Garden State an increasingly attractive option for early investment in innovation. Lastly, the Emerge, Ignite and Inspire programs will create meaningful incentives for innovative New Jersey companies to stay and flourish here in the State.

BioNJ commends Governor Murphy, Senate President Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Coughlin and the entire New Jersey Legislature for their work in making the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 a reality. 

Although 2020 was a tough year in many ways, there were many accomplishments that continue to inspire and make us proud of New Jersey's robust life sciences ecosystem. Join us on February 4, 2021 as we kick off 2021 by celebrating the innovation and successes from 2020! Hosted virtually by BioNJ's Board of Trustees, we invite all of our Members for an interactive program focused on YOU. 

It's the perfect opportunity to engage with other life sciences professionals, as well as our Board of Trustees, in round-robin breakout rooms on the topics impacting our industry and your organizations as we enter the New Year. And in BioNJ tradition, join us in welcoming BioNJ's next Chair of the Board as well as our newest Board Members as we thank and recognize those who have made great contributions to BioNJ over the last two years.
 
While this does not replace our traditional Annual Meeting and Innovation Celebration, we are hoping that it will kick off a much needed New Year in a meaningful way. Free to all current BioNJ Members, click here to learn more about BioNJ's Board & Member Connection on February 4. 

Not yet a Member, not a problem! Contact Kim Minton at KMinton@BioNJ.org to discuss how your organization can benefit from BioNJ Membership. 

Because Patients Can't Wait®,
The BioNJ Team
BioNJ Calendar

Webinar: China and U.S. Collaboration: Innovation on the Horizon (Co-hosted by BioNJ & SAPA)
January 14, 2021
BioNJ Virtual IT/Cybersecurity Briefing
January 28, 2021
BioNJ Board & Member Virtual Meet Up
February 4, 2021
Click here for BioNJ's COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit.

New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Registration System Now Open. Click here to reserve your spot. 


NJ Company News

Bridgewater-based BioNJ Member Insmed Incorporated announced that the first patient was dosed in the frontline clinical trial program of ARIKAYCE® (amikacin liposome inhalation suspension) in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). The program consists of ARISE, an interventional study designed to validate cross-sectional and longitudinal characteristics of patient-reported outcome (PRO) tools in MAC lung disease, and ENCORE, a pivotal trial designed to establish, using the PRO tools validated in the ARISE trial, the clinical benefits and evaluate the safety of ARIKAYCE in patients with newly diagnosed MAC lung disease.

Princeton-based BioNJ Member Genmab A/S announced the initiation of innovaTV 301 trial, a global Phase 3 study to evaluate the efficacy of tisotumab vedotin compared to chemotherapy in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer who have received one or two prior lines of systemic therapy. The innovaTV 301 trial is a global, randomized Phase 3 trial in which tisotumab vedotin will be compared with physician's choice single agent chemotherapy. "We look forward to the innovaTV 301 trial which is designed to support potential regulatory applications for marketing approval globally and serve as a confirmatory trial for a potential accelerated approval in the U.S. for patients with metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer," said Jan van de Winkel, Ph.D., CEO of Genmab. 

Edison-based BioNJ Member Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced top line data from the low dose cohort in the company's Phase 2a 'AMBITION' clinical trial of CRV431, an oral, once daily novel cyclophilin inhibitor. This Phase 2a study is continuing with the higher dose of 225 mg CRV431, with NASH patient dosing expected to be completed in Q1-2021. The AMBITION trial is a placebo-controlled study of CRV431 in NASH patients with evidence of moderate-to-severe fibrosis. In this study, which is being conducted at 10 U.S. sites, 75 mg CRV431 (low dose) was administered orally, once-daily for 28 days. 

Edison-based BioNJ Member Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board ("DSMB") has approved the continuation of the Company's Phase 2a 'AMBITION' clinical trial. Two interim analyses were performed by a DSMB to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the 75 mg CRV431 dose cohort in NASH patients. The first analysis occurred half-way through the first dosing cohort and this, the second analysis, occurred at the completion of the first dosing cohort.

Bedminster-based BioNJ Member Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has conditionally accepted LYPDISO™ as the proposed brand name for MAT9001, the company's investigational drug for treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions. The company also announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance, approving the company's application to register the LYPDISO brand name as a federal trademark. The name LYPDISO was developed in compliance with FDA's Guidance for Industry, Contents of a Complete Submission for the Evaluation of Proprietary Names. 

Ramsey-based BioNJ Member ADMA Biologics, Inc. announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved transitional pass-through payment status and established a new reimbursement C-code, C9072, for ASCENIV. "Assignment of this new C-code by CMS for ASCENIV, along with pass-through payment status, will provide a more streamlined reimbursement process in the increasingly important hospital outpatient setting," said Adam Grossman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ADMA. "This is another significant milestone in our ongoing commercial rollout of ASCENIV and is a testament to our market access and commercial teams' continued execution."

Princeton-based BioNJ Member Soligenix, Inc. announced that it has signed an exclusive Supply, Distribution and Services Agreement with Daavlin. Securing long-term supply and distribution of a commercially ready light device is an integral component of the regulatory and commercial strategy for SGX301 (synthetic hypericin) for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Daavlin has a 40-year history of innovation and development in the field of phototherapy, providing an extensive line of products and services to health care providers and patients worldwide for the purposes of treating photoresponsive skin disorders such as psoriasis, vitiligo and now CTCL. 

Princeton-based BioNJ Member Soligenix, Inc. announced that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has awarded Soligenix a Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant of approximately $1.5 million to support manufacture, formulation (including thermostabilization) and characterization of COVID-19 and EVD (Ebola Virus Disease) vaccine candidates in conjunction with the CoVaccine HT™ (CoVaccine) adjuvant. This award also will support immune characterization of this novel, emulsified adjuvant that has unique potency and compatibility with lyophilization strategies to enable thermostabilization of subunit vaccines.

Berkeley Heights-based BioNJ Member Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced it has entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement with Acorn Bioventures, LP, a biotech-focused fundamental investor. Under the agreement, Acorn Bioventures has agreed to purchase in a registered direct offering 485,912 shares of common stock and 237,745 shares of newly designated Series B Preferred Stock (convertible into shares of common stock at a ratio of 1:5), and in a concurrent private placement, warrants to purchase 669,854 shares of common stock, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $7 million.

Jersey City-based BioNJ Member SCYNEXIS, Inc. announced the closing of its previously announced underwritten public offering of common stock, pre-funded warrants and warrants. The shares and warrants were sold at a public offering price of $6.25 per share and accompanying warrants, and the pre-funded warrants were sold at a public offering price of $6.249 per pre-funded warrant and accompanying warrants. The total gross offering proceeds to SCYNEXIS from this offering were $85.0 million, before deducting the underwriting discount and other estimated offering expenses, and excluding the exercise of any pre-funded warrants or warrants. 

Somerset-based BioNJ Member Legend Biotech Corporation announced the initiation of a rolling submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), an investigational B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, for the treatment of adults with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma. The submission is based on results from the pivotal Phase 1b/2 CARTITUDE-1 study which evaluated the efficacy and safety of cilta-cel in the treatment of patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma.

Berkeley Heights-based BioNJ Member Amgen announced submission of a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for sotorasib, an investigational KRASG12C inhibitor, for the treatment of adult patients with previously treated KRAS G12C-mutated locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). "Just over two years since the first patient was dosed, sotorasib is now on track to potentially be the first approved targeted therapy for patients with previously treated NSCLC harboring the KRAS G12C mutation," said David M. Reese, M.D., Executive Vice President of Research and Development at Amgen.

Plainsboro-based BioNJ Member Novo Nordisk announced the submission of a label extension application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the existing marketing authorisation for Ozempic®, a once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, to introduce a new dose of 2.0 mg. Ozempic® is currently approved in the EU in 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg doses for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. The submission is based on the results from the SUSTAIN FORTE trial, which included 961 people with type 2 diabetes in need of treatment intensification.

Bridgewater-based BioNJ Member Eli Lilly and Company announced plans to begin a new pragmatic study of bamlanivimab (LY-CoV555) in high-risk patients with COVID-19, in collaboration with major local institutions in the state of New Mexico. Conducting the study in New Mexico will allow for the collection of data on the effectiveness and safety of bamlanivimab in a real-world setting that includes a diverse population and spans both rural and urban environments. Bamlanivimab recently received Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization.
BioNJ Member Evotec SE announced that the companies have entered into a technology partnership to expand Evotec's antibody discovery platform. Under the terms of the agreement, Evotec receives access to Alloy's ATX-Gx(TM) mouse platform to enable best-in-class in vivo discovery of fully human monoclonal antibodies for use in both its proprietary as well as partnered R&D projects across more than 15 disease areas. ATX-Gx(TM) comprises a suite of highly immunocompetent transgenic mice strains that together offer (i) fully human heavy chain repertoire, (ii) human kappa and human lambda chain repertoire, (iii) haplotype diversity and (iv) limited immunodominance.
BioNJ Member Evotec SE announced that the company has received a US$ 6 m payment from Bristol Myers Squibb Company within the companies' iPSC-based neuroscience partnership. The payment follows Bristol Myers Squibb's decision to add another drug discovery project to the partnership's portfolio. Evotec and Bristol Myers Squibb (the successor in interest to Celgene) initiated the collaboration in 2016 to identify disease-modifying treatments for a broad range of neurodegenerative diseases. Currently approved drugs only offer short-term management of patients' symptoms and there is a huge unmet medical need for therapies that slow down or reverse disease progression in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.
Princeton-based BioNJ Member Bristol Myers Squibb announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated its Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Zeposia (ozanimod) for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). Validation of the application confirms the submission is complete and begins the EMA's centralized review process. The MAA submitted to the EMA is based on results from True North, a pivotal, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial evaluating Zeposia as an induction and maintenance therapy in adults with moderately to severely active UC.
Princeton-based BioNJ Member Bristol Myers Squibb announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) validated its Type II Variation Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based combination chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC), gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer or esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Validation of the application confirms that the submission is complete and initiates the EMA's centralized review process.

Raritan-based BioNJ Member the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced the initiation of a rolling submission of its Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), an investigational B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy, for the treatment of adults with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma. The FDA previously granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) for cilta-cel and has agreed to a rolling review of the BLA in which completed portions of the application will be submitted and reviewed on an ongoing basis. 
BioNJ Member Pfizer, with offices in Peapack, announced that the first participant has been dosed in the Phase 3 CIFFREO study, which will evaluate the efficacy and safety of investigational gene therapy candidate PF-06939926 in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The CIFFREO trial is expected to enroll 99 ambulatory male patients, ages 4 through 7, across 55 clinical trial sites in 15 countries. CIFFREO is a Phase 3 global, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The primary endpoint of the study is the change from baseline in the North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) at one year. 
BioNJ Member Pfizer, with offices in Peapack, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for filing the initial Biologics License Application (BLA) for somatrogon, a long-acting human growth hormone that is intended to be administered once-weekly for the treatment of pediatric patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Somatrogon is an investigational new biologic product that is glycosylated and comprises the amino acid sequence of human growth hormone and one copy of the C-terminal peptide (CTP) from the beta chain of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at the N-terminus and two copies of CTP (in tandem) at the C-terminus.
BioNJ Member Pfizer, with offices in Peapack, and Myovant Sciences announced a collaboration to develop and commercialize relugolix -- a once-daily, oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist -- in oncology and women's health in the U.S. and Canada. Pfizer will also receive an exclusive option to commercialize relugolix in oncology outside the U.S. and Canada, excluding certain Asian countries. Under the terms of the agreement, Myovant and Pfizer will jointly develop and commercialize ORGOVYX™ (relugolix) in advanced prostate cancer and, if approved, relugolix combination tablet (relugolix 40 mg, estradiol 1.0 mg, and norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) in women's health in the U.S. and Canada. 
BioNJ Member Pfizer, with offices in Peapack, and BioNTech SE announced they will supply an additional 100 million doses of COMIRNATY®, the companies' COVID-19 Vaccine, to the 27 European Union (EU) member states in 2021. This announcement is a result of the European Commission's decision to exercise its option to purchase an additional 100 million doses under its Advanced Purchase Agreement signed on November 11, 2020. This agreement brings the total number of doses to be delivered to the EU to 300 million. "We remain committed to moving as quickly and safely as possible to bring this vaccine to more people in Europe, as the deadly virus continues to spread at an alarming rate," said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer. 
In the past two weeks, thousands of health care workers and seniors in New Jersey have been given a vaccine for COVID-19. The Pfizer vaccine. The vaccine obviously is a huge step in the fight against the pandemic, but -- because of its name -- it also is a huge victory for BioNJ Member Pfizer, with offices in Peapack, which has been getting an untold amount of brand recognition for being first to the finish line. "Every time the vaccine gets mentioned, I think it's listed as 'the Pfizer vaccine,'" he said, "It doesn't have a brand name. So, it goes straight to, 'Here's something amazing that Pfizer has done to rescue us all from COVID-19,'" said Adam Warner, adjunct professor at Rutgers Business School's Pharma MBA program in Newark.
Kenilworth-based BioNJ Member Merck & Co. and AstraZeneca announced that LYNPARZA has been approved in Japan for the treatment of three types of advanced cancer: ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer. The three approvals authorize LYNPARZA for use as maintenance treatment after first-line chemotherapy containing bevacizumab (genetical recombination) in patients with homologous recombination repair deficient (HRD) ovarian cancer; the treatment of patients with BRCA gene-mutated (BRCAm) castration-resistant prostate cancer with distant metastasis (mCRPC); and maintenance treatment after platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with BRCAm curatively unresectable pancreas cancer.
Kenilworth-based BioNJ Member Merck & Co. has entered into an agreement with the United States government to support the development, manufacture and initial distribution of an investigational biological therapeutic (CD24Fc, to be named MK-7110) upon approval or Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Merck acquired MK-7110 through the acquisition of OncoImmune, a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. Under the agreement, Merck will receive up to approximately $356 million for manufacturing and supply of approximately 60,000-100,000 doses of MK-7110 to the U.S. 

Basking Ridge-based Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced encouraging initial data from an ongoing Phase 1/2/3 clinical trial of the Regeneron antibody cocktail, casirivimab and imdevimab, in hospitalized COVID-19 patients requiring low-flow oxygen. The analysis was prospectively designed to focus on patients who had not yet mounted their own immune response to SARS-CoV-2 (i.e., did not have antibodies at baseline: seronegative), as prior evidence suggested these patients were at greater risk. The primary clinical objective of this initial analysis was to determine if there was sufficient efficacy in these patients to warrant continuing the trial (i.e., futility analysis). 

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., with offices in Basking Ridge, announced the commencement of patient dosing in RELIEF-PHN 1, a Phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-center clinical study of LX9211 for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia. LX9211 is a potent oral small molecule inhibitor of adaptor associated kinase 1 (AAK1). Praveen Tyle, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of R&D, said, "We believe LX9211 has the potential to offer a novel therapeutic approach to treating post-herpetic neuralgia. We look forward to completing this study and our other proof-of-concept study of LX9211 in diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain toward the end of next year."

Kedrion Biopharma, with offices in Fort Lee, announced that the last patient has been treated in the CARES10 (Clinical Assessment of phaRmacokinetics, Efficacy, Safety of a 10% Ig) trial. CARES10 is a phase III, open-label, prospective, multi-center study that assessed efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of a 10 percent intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in individuals diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency disease (PI). PI, a rare disease affecting approximately 250,000 people in the United States, is a group of disorders in which a part of the body's immune system is missing or does not function properly.



Florham Park-based PDS Biotechnology Corporation announced the publication of data generated by a leading vaccine research team at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The research demonstrated powerful antibody induction by Versamune® against SARS-CoV-2 at low antigen doses suggesting potential for an effective antigen dose sparing COVID-19 vaccine. These data are based on preclinical studies combining PDS Biotech's Versamune® technology with an inactivated Newcastle disease virus (NDV)/SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (NDV vaccine) developed at Mount Sinai. 

Ridgefield Park-based BeiGene, Ltd. announced that three of its innovative oncology medicines have been included in the updated National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) by the China National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA), including its internally-developed anti-PD-1 antibody tislelizumab, its internally-developed BTK inhibitor BRUKINSA® (zanubrutinib), and XGEVA® (120-mg denosumab) from its strategic collaboration with BioNJ Member Amgen. "The NRDL's inclusion of tislelizumab, BRUKINSA and XGEVA will help expand access to these high-quality oncology treatments across China and alleviate the financial burden for many cancer patients and their families," commented  Xiaobin Wu, Ph.D., General Manager of China and President of BeiGene.

Florham Park-based Shionogi & Co., Ltd. and its European subsidiary, Shionogi B.V. announce that NICE and NHSE&I have selected its innovative antibiotic, cefiderocol, for inclusion in a pilot subscription reimbursement model in the UK which 'de-links' payment from volume of use, thereby recognising its potential in treating multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections and its benefits to society and healthcare systems. This scheme is called the UK Project for developing and testing an innovative model for the evaluation and purchase of antimicrobials. 

Lipocine Inc. with offices in  Lawrence Township, announced that it is enrolling patients into an open label extension to the ongoing LPCN 1144 Phase 2 LiFT study based on investigator and patient interest in continuing treatment. The LiFT ("Liver Fat intervention with oral Testosterone") clinical study is a paired-biopsy study investigating LPCN 1144 in confirmed non-cirrhotic non-alcoholic steatohepatitis ("NASH") subjects. In the initial, double-blind part of the LiFT study, patients were randomized to receive one of two treatments of LPCN 1144 or placebo over 36 weeks. 

Princeton-based Bioclinica has acquired a Silicon Valley artificial intelligence company. The deal for Saliency will give Bioclinica advanced AI technology that it can integrate into its Imaging Platform for pharmaceutical and medical device clients. That will bolster image quality control and interpretation. Dan Gebow, Bioclinica's Chief Information Officer said, "We evaluated a variety of medical imaging AI platforms and know the Saliency platform is head and shoulders above others in the market in its ability to deliver value for our clients."

People in the News

Congratulations to BioNJ Member and former Board Member, CEO of Amicus Therapeutics, John Crowley for being named to Industry Leaders' "Top Biopharma Leaders of the Year." John Crowley has been with Amicus Therapeutics for over 15 years and has seen the company grow from just four people to employing over 500 people. He has risen with the company to become its chairman and chief executive officer. Amicus now has a presence in over 27 countries 

Berkeley Heights-based BioNJ Member Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the election of Brian Schwartz, M.D., to its Board of Directors. "We are very pleased to have Brian join the Board of Directors of Cyclacel. His extensive clinical and product development experience further adds to the strength of our Board and will support management's efforts to build shareholder value," said Christopher Henney, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board of Cyclacel. "Brian's experience in all development stages of innovative medicines for cancer will be very valuable as we advance our business strategy."

Hampton-based BioNJ Member Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. announced the promotion of  Freddy A. Jimenez, Esq. to Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Over the span of a 30 year career in the biopharmaceutical industry, Mr. Jimenez has been responsible for the development and execution of comprehensive legal and compliance strategies as well as coordination of legal expertise to support research and development, commercial and business efforts. Mr. Jimenez joined Celldex as Vice President, Law and Compliance in February 2016, serving as the company's Chief Counsel and Compliance Officer as well as providing executive leadership of information technology.

Cranford-based Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that CEO Andrew Rackear will retire at the end of February. Mr. Rackear, who joined Enzon in 2010, has served as CEO since 2016. Upon his retirement Feb. 26, the company's Chief Financial Officer, Richard Feinstein, will assume the CEO and secretary roles, while maintaining his CFO post. "On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank Andy for his leadership and commitment to the company during his over 10 years with Enzon," Chairman Randolph Read said, "Andy has led Enzon through its transition from a pharmaceutical company to a lean organization, and, now, with the completion of our rights offering, poised for future growth."

Institution and Education News

Hackensack Meridian Health Network's new initiative "Keeping America Safe" is offering schools, businesses and other organizations with COVID-19 the guidance they need to reopen and stay on track during the pandemic. Tier 1 services focus on providing quick access to information. This includes a "Direct Connect Hotline" to obtain answers from HMH experts, an online resource center, and weekly updates on local and global COVID-19 information. Tier 2 offerings include on-site visits from a team of HMH experts who will do a walk-through of facilities, as well as review policies and procedures, and provide customized recommendations. Add-ons to both modules are also available, including virtual meetings and learning modules for screeners. 

Read the latest news on research, treatment, prevention and education from the State's National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Cancer Connection Monthly.

Funding News

Governor Phil Murphy signed into law the landmark New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020, which will provide economic support for small businesses, while propelling New Jersey's economic recovery and growth for much of the next decade. "These programs are the product of nearly three years of hard work, during which we received input from hundreds of voices on how best to structure our state's recovery and growth," said Governor Phil Murphy. "I am immensely proud of the result, which will not only provide much needed relief for our small businesses, but will also fundamentally change economic development in our state while creating thousands of high-paying job for our residents."

Keiretsu Forum, which bills itself as the world's largest and most active investment community of early stage accredited angel investors, announced it has launched a new chapter in Princeton. The chapter will be led by Harvey Homan, who has been appointed the President and will be joined in the stewardship by host sponsor, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. The first official meeting will take place by Zoom on Jan. 20. Keiretsu Forum is a global investment community of accredited private equity angel investors, venture capitalists and corporate/institutional investors, founded in the San Francisco East Bay in California in 2000 by Randy Williams. Keiretsu Forum is a worldwide network of capital, resources and deal flow with 53 chapters on four continents.

Thought Leadership from BioNJ Members
An Article Written by BioNJ Member EisnerAmper

Congress used the 2021 governmental funding legislation (the "Act") as the vehicle to pass the much needed COVID-19 relief, and more. Spanning 5593 pages, the mammoth $2.3 trillion legislation contains some $900 billion of relief related to the pandemic. In very broad terms, the COVID relief provisions address almost all aspects of the economy. Within this article, BioNJ Member EisnerAmper offers a high-level summary of selected tax and related provisions contained in the Act. 

Special Programs from Our Partners for BioNJ Members
January 11-15, 2021

With a blend of on-demand and live sessions, the virtual 2021 program is designed to provide you with the latest industry updates and flexibility to view content according to your schedule. BioNJ Members: Contact Randi Bromberg at RBromberg@BioNJ.org for a special discount code.
January 11-15, 2021

Affordable access to BIO One-on-One Partnering, with an integrated video conferencing system, to provide a seamless partnering experience for all attendees, regardless of whether you are registered for a specific event during JPM week. BIO Members partner for free/ Non-Member companies partner for $150.
January 27, 2021

Join NJADDC for a virtual event "Opportunities in Neuroscience" on Jan 27th, for a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities in neuroscience.
January 27 & February 3, 2021

A two-part series on the technical and strategic considerations, and the legal and regulatory challenges of medical product name development Presented by Brand Institute & Drug Safety Institute, a Subsidiary of Brand Institute.
February 16-19, 2021

This online virtual training course will provide a detailed understanding in upstream and downstream processing of viral vectors used in cell and gene therapy. The course will focus on viral vector theory, technical demonstrations of bioreactors, demonstration of chromatography, principles of tangential flow filtration (TFF) and scale-up topics. The course is intended for scientists and engineers from the biopharma industry interested in learning about upstream and downstream processing of viral vectors. Click here for more information.
March 15-17, 2021

Take advantage of this unique opportunity for professionals to make connections, start collaborations and forge partnerships in North America's life sciences and health technology hub. The agenda co-created by the organizing committee is aimed at entrepreneurs, scientists, researchers, students, investors and life sciences and health technology professionals in Canada and abroad. 



BioNJ Member Services Provider Directory

BioNJ recognizes the vital role that our Service Provider Members play in the growth of New Jersey's robust life sciences ecosystem. For this reason, we are delighted to remind our community about BioNJ's Member Service Provider Directory, a categorical listing of BioNJ Members by service sector. By working with fellow BioNJ Member organizations, you are not only supporting our community, but benefiting from a wide variety of high quality organizations. To learn how you can become a Member and be featured on this resource tool, please contact Kim Minton at KMinton@BioNJ.org, or 609-890-3185. Find providers in these categories:
The NJBAC is a state agency offering free and confidential assistance to help your business grow. As a "one-stop shop," NJBAC can help businesses of all sizes and types manage the state's regulatory processes, boost exports, gain access to financial resources where applicable and tackle other obstacles along the way. You can download the NJBAC guide by clicking here or contact their business advocates at 1-800 JERSEY 7.


Please contact BioNJ at BioNJ@BioNJ.org 
or call 609-890-3185 with any questions.