WESTCHESTER COUNTY BIOSCIENCES UPDATE
Featuring news, events and industry trends
Sapience Therapeutics to Present at the RBC Capital Markets Healthcare Private Company Conference

Harrison-based Sapience Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of peptide therapeutics to address difficult-to-treat cancers, announced today that the company will present at the RBC Capital Markets Healthcare Private Company Conference, taking place virtually on December 15-16, 2021.
Dr. Barry Kappel, CEO and President, will participate in a fireside chat on December 16, 2021 at 2:30 PM ET. In addition, company management will participate in one-on-one meetings with life science investors during the event.

Sapience Therapeutics Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for ST101 for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

Congratulations to Sapience Therapeutics, Inc. which has announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track Designation to its lead program investigating ST101 for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma (GBM). ST101 is currently being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 1-2 clinical study in patients with advanced unresectable and metastatic solid tumors, which includes a GBM expansion cohort.

In the ongoing Phase 1-2 study, ST101 demonstrated clinical proof-of-concept with a RECIST 1.1-confirmed partial response (PR) in a patient with cutaneous melanoma and evidence of long-lasting stable disease in several additional patients with refractory solid tumors.

"Glioblastoma is the most aggressive, fatal form of brain cancer with limited-to-no therapeutic options. With the efficacy data from solid tumors and its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, ST101 could meaningfully improve outcomes for patients battling this debilitating disease and we look forward to advancing it into Phase 2," said Dr. Barry Kappel, Sapience's CEO and President.

Fast Track designation enables more frequent interactions with the FDA to expedite the development and review process for drugs intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions that demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs. Sapience previously received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA and European Commission for ST101 for the treatment of glioma.
Jonathan Bandel, Chief Innovation Officer, White Plains Hospital and East Post Road Ventures, Westchester County Biosciences Task Force Member, Named to Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Emerging Leaders List

Congratulations to Jonathan Bandel, Chief Innovation Officer, White Plains Hospital and East Post Road Ventures, on being named to Modern Healthcare's Top 25 Emerging Leaders list. The award honors leaders under 40 who have made significant contributions early in their career in the areas of innovation and financial, operational and clinical excellence.
Cognition Therapeutics Hosted Virtual R&D Symposium on Dementia with Lewy Bodies and the Potential for Sigma-2 Modulation

Purchase-based, Cognition Therapeutics, Inc. a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of innovative, small molecule therapeutics targeting age-related degenerative diseases and disorders of the central nervous system and retina (the “Company” or “Cognition”), held a virtual R&D symposium on Tuesday, December 7.

The event featured a presentation on dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) pathology, treatment and patient burden by leaders in the DLB community. In addition, members of the Cognition management team reviewed the Company’s plans to advance a small molecule sigma-2 (σ-2) modulator for the treatment of DLB. A recording of the session will be available here.
BASF Announces Plans to launch Global Carbon Farming Program in 2022

 
The program will:

  • support growers worldwide to farm more sustainably and carbon-efficient, and

  • supplement BASF’s sustainability in agriculture commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% per ton of crop by 2030.

With agriculture being responsible for about 20% of global CO2 emissions, carbon-efficient agricultural practices can significantly contribute to combat climate change. BASF will establish a program that allows farmers to track and profit from practices reducing CO2 emissions, underlining its efforts to contribute to fighting climate change. The Global Carbon Farming Program will support BASF Agricultural Solutions’ commitment to reduce the carbon footprint per ton of crop produced by 30% by 2030 in wheat, soy, rice, canola and corn. BASF will launch its program in phases starting in 2022.
Call for Applications – 2022-2023 Montefiore Einstein Innovation Biodesign Training Program
 
The Montefiore Einstein Innovation Leadership Team is excited to announce a call for applications for the Innovation Biodesign Training Program’s 2022-2023 cycle. This one-year program is a unique experience to train the next generation of physician innovators and encourages the development and validation of digital health technologies. This initiative is only the sixth Innovation Biodesign Training Program in the U.S. and the first to focus on chronic conditions and health disparities. Attending physicians and residents and fellows in the research training year(s) are encouraged to apply. Training will begin on July 1, 2022. 
 
This program’s curriculum (3-4 hours required per week) includes:

  • Health Technology Innovation seminar series and small group sessions;

  • a mentored health technology-oriented project through the innovation biodesign approach; and,

  • mentoring from Montefiore Einstein faculty and external experts.
 
For more information, visit the program’s website.
 
To indicate your interest in applying and to request the application packet, please e-mail Dr. Jariwala (sjariwal@montefiore.org). The application deadline is February 1, 2022.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Navigating Technology Transfers from Research Institutions, December 9 at 12 PM

Research institutions like universities and federal research labs, are gold mines of key opinion leaders and innovative technologies that can be mined by entrepreneurs. Technology transfer professionals are working to build partnerships with entrepreneurs to bring technologies to market. These professionals can help companies find expert advisors, service providers, and funding to grow your company and demonstrate value in the clinic. Through a panel discussion and live Q&A with seasoned experts, you'll learn how to partner with research institutions.

Please join this Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE) and GW Technology Commercialization Office webinar on December 9, 2021 and learn how medical startup companies can transfer technologies from research institutions.

Date: December 9, 2021
Time: 12:00 PM

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