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Stay Informed. Stay Connected.
BioLink delivers the latest news, events, and insights from the world of life sciences in Michigan and across the United States. From groundbreaking research to policy updates and emerging trends, BioLink informs you about the industry's innovations and growth.
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Join Michigan’s biosciences community for a full day of discovery, innovation, and collaboration at the Cutting Edge / Drug Discovery & Development Symposium. This premier event brings together faculty, students, researchers, entrepreneurs, CROs, and bio-industry professionals from across the state.
The program includes:
- Inspiring keynotes & panels tackling today’s biggest challenges in drug discovery and development
- Research presentations & posters showcasing groundbreaking science from Michigan’s leading institutions
- Exhibit hall featuring the latest technologies and service providers
- Networking opportunities designed to spark new collaborations and partnerships
View Agenda & Register Here
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and advance innovation in Michigan’s life sciences sector!
| | Upcoming MichBio Webinar You Won’t Want to Miss! | |
Patent Application Strategies:
Drafting Tips. Filing Insights. Long-Term IP Success
October 15, 2025 @ Noon
Presented by Ashley Sloat, President, Director of Patent Strategy, Aurora Consulting and Kristen Pursley, Intellectual Patent Attorney/ Registered Patent Attorney, Dobrusin Law Firm
Strong patents don’t happen by accident — they are the result of smart strategies from the very start. Join MichBio’s IP & Legal Affairs Committee members, Ashley Sloat, President, Dir. of Patent Strategy at Aurora Consulting and Kristen Pursley, Intellectual Property Attorney/Registered Patent Attorney, Dobrusin Law Firm, for an engaging session on how to maximize the value of your patent applications.
This webinar will cover practical approaches to:
- Building stronger claim strategies
- Navigating continuation and divisional practice
- Writing effectively for different audiences — examiners, investors, and partners
- Avoiding common misconceptions about provisional applications
Whether you are preparing your first application or refining a broader IP strategy, this session will provide actionable insights to strengthen your intellectual property portfolio and ensure long-term leverage for your innovations.
| | Share your news with us and we will share it in BioLink and on MichBio's social media channels. Reach over 17,000 people in the Bio-Industry. | | MMS Named Finalist—2025 Scrip Awards on CRO Excellence | | |
MMS, a global data-driven clinical research organization, has been shortlisted for the 2025 Citeline Scrip Award for Best CRO – Specialist Providers. The honor recognizes CROs delivering outstanding expertise in trial design, regulatory strategy, and data-focused clinical research. A past winner in 2021, MMS continues to stand out through global expansion, strategic acquisitions, and leadership in advancing oncology, rare disease, and emerging therapeutic areas. The recognition underscores MMS’s growing reputation as a trusted partner accelerating drug development worldwide.
>> LEARN MORE
| | | MMS Supports Landmark Global Proteomics Effort | | |
MMS partnered with Gates Ventures, Johnson & Johnson, the AD Data Initiative, and the Global Neurodegeneration Proteomics Consortium (GNPC) to help deliver one of the world’s largest proteomic datasets for neurodegenerative disease research. The dataset unites 250 million protein measurements from 35,000 biosamples across 20+ international cohorts and is now publicly available via the AD Workbench.
>> LEARN MORE
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Emergent BioSolutions Expands Smallpox Antiviral Supply with $17M BARDA Contract | |
Emergent BioSolutions has secured a $17 million contract modification with BARDA to supply TEMBEXA® (brincidofovir) oral suspension, a smallpox antiviral recently approved for manufacturing scale-up by the FDA. The oral suspension formulation provides a critical option for patients unable to swallow pills and strengthens the U.S. preparedness supply chain against potential outbreaks. The award builds on Emergent’s long-term federal contract and underscores its role as a trusted partner in national health security.
>>LEARN MORE
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Odyssey Therapeutics Secures $213M to Advance Autoimmune Pipeline | |
MichBio member, Odyssey Therapeutics has closed an oversubscribed $213 million Series D financing to accelerate its clinical and preclinical medicines targeting complex autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Backed by both returning and new top-tier investors, Odyssey will use the funding to push its precision therapies toward key clinical milestones. The raise also brings five new leaders to its Board of Directors, further strengthening the company’s strategy and momentum.
>> LEARN MORE
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MSU's Cisplatin Cancer Breakthrough Earns National Recognition | |
What began as a lab experiment at Michigan State University in 1965 has since saved millions of lives worldwide. The discovery of cisplatin — now a cornerstone chemotherapy drug — not only revolutionized cancer treatment but also exemplifies the power of curiosity-driven research. This year, MSU is being honored with the prestigious 2025 Golden Goose Award for cisplatin’s profound impact on medicine, science, and society.
>> LEARN MORE
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Cayman & Akadeum Partner to Expand Access to Breakthrough Cell Isolation Technology | |
Ann Arbor–based Akadeum Life Sciences has teamed up with Cayman Chemical to bring its next-generation microbubble cell isolation kits to researchers worldwide. This first new cell separation technology in over 40 years offers a faster, gentler, and more effective way to obtain highly pure, viable cell populations—critical for advancing cell and gene therapy development. Through Cayman’s global distribution network, Akadeum’s innovation will now be accessible to labs everywhere, accelerating discovery and therapeutic breakthroughs.
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| | Parsing The New Drug Pricing Deal: Implications for Biopharma | | The recently announced drug pricing agreement with the federal government — including discounted prices through a new “TrumpRx” portal and Medicaid price floors tied to global benchmarks — is already sparking debate across policy, investor, and industry circles. While framed as a win for patients, the deal raises deeper questions about incentives, long-term R&D investment, and the risk of systemic reference pricing. Analysts suggest the near-term financial impact on Pfizer may be modest, but the broader signal could reshape how drugmakers approach innovation, valuation, and global pricing strategies. | | | New NIH Licensing Guidelines Spark Concerns for U.S. Innovation | | The NIH’s new “access planning” licensing rules — requiring companies to submit and adhere to affordability and access plans for federally funded inventions — are raising alarms across the life sciences sector. While intended to improve patient access, critics warn the guidelines could discourage licensing, deter investment, and stall commercialization of promising discoveries. By introducing regulatory uncertainty and the threat of retroactive license revocation, the rules risk repeating past missteps that once drove companies away from NIH partnerships — potentially leaving life-saving innovations stuck in labs rather than reaching patients. | | | Michigan Medtech Shines at the 2025 Medical Device Summit | | Energy, ideas, and collaboration were in full force as 150+ medtech leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators came together in Grand Rapids for MichBio’s 2025 Medical Device Summit. From candid C-Suite conversations to rapid-fire innovation pitches and deep-dive breakouts on regulation, cybersecurity, smart manufacturing, and more, the day delivered both big-picture strategy and practical takeaways. Highlights included keynote remarks from U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten and a fireside chat with MDMA President & CEO Mark Leahey, sparking dialogue on policy, competitiveness, and the future of medtech. Attendees left describing the Summit as “packed with actionable insights” and a launchpad for new partnerships. | | |
Dialing for $: Leveraging the MIF to Spur Innovation
Wednesday, October 15, 2025| 5:00-7:00 PM
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What happens when capital meets opportunity? Hear directly from the funds selected as recipients of the new Michigan Innovation Fund (MIF) as they reveal how they plan to deploy this catalytic investment into early-stage companies. This candid conversation will pull back the curtain on how investors evaluate pitches, structure partnerships, and shape the next generation of Michigan-born innovation. Expect straight talk, sharp insights, and maybe a few surprises about what it really takes to win early-stage funding in today’s competitive life sciences and tech landscape.
Speakers:
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Prem Bodagala, SVP and Director, ID Ventures
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Mike Flanagan, Vice President, Ann Arbor SPARK & Managing Director, Michigan Angel Fund
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Steve Haakenson, Executive Director, Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center
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Matt Okoneski, Director, Venture Investments, Red Cedar Ventures
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Mike Psarouthakis, Executive Director, Impact Investments & Strategic Alliances, Innovation Partnerships, University of Michigan
Why Attend?
- Expand Your Network: Connect with innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in biotech, pharma, medtech, and health tech.
- Gain Expert Insights: Learn strategies to adapt and thrive in your industry.
- Be Part of the Community: Support Ann Arbor’s dynamic life sciences ecosystem.
| | Connecting Minds. Sparking Innovation.
Shaping Life Sciences Together. | | Hosted by MichBio and Avantor, BioMixer is the perfect chance to meet and mingle with Life Sciences professionals, academics, and students from across the industry. Whether you're looking to explore new ideas, strengthen your network, or just enjoy connecting with like-minded individuals, there’s a place for you here. | | |
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Cost: FREE
Location: Bonobo Winery, 12011 Center Rd, Traverse City
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Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Cost: MichBio Members-Free;
Non-members - $10
Location: Bell's Eccentric Cafe, 355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
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Below are upcoming industry events. Click here to view all events.
MichBio members receive an additional discount on Partner Events. Deadline dates do apply and are listed on the discount page. Log in to your membership account to access discount codes/directions.
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