BioBuzz - Greater Philadelphia

Geography matters. Community matters. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 matter. Community is at the heart of everything that we do at BioBuzz. 🧡 Which is why we’re thrilled to showcase the community that continues to drive us to do what we do 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆 with the launch of our Weekly Takeovers in Philly this September. Every week a new ambassador, community member, or ecosystem friend, will “takeover” our Greater Philadelphia showcase page. 🎉 They'll "own" the page for the week as they buzz about themselves, the incredible people around them, the work they’re doing and supporting, and the things that they’re passionate about. 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱? So are we. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱? Sign up today: https://lnkd.in/eiRdEKdc 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝘁? TAG them below. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴. 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀? Message Cat, Annabel, Bryan or Joshua. #lifesciences #biotech #pharma #CGT #philly #community #biobuzz

💥 From scientist to entrepreneur, Demet Aybar reveals her journey and tips for scaling success!💥Learn how the US Lab Partners LLC CEO is revolutionizing lab operations and fueling Philly’s rise as a biotech hub! Huge thanks to CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) Philadelphia, uCity Square, and University City Science Center for an amazing event, and to Persephoni BioPartners for sponsoring the media room! 🎧 Listen to the full interview to hear more about how Demet is innovating the sector! https://lnkd.in/dXwU3nmd Subscribe to our Youtube: https://lnkd.in/dhqHtj_z Chris Frew Cat Thoreson Bryan Kennedy Annabel Baldy Owen Buzy

🚨 WuXi Advanced Therapies to be Sold to Altaris, LLC 🚨 WuXi AppTec has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its WuXi Advanced Therapies operations to Altaris, a New York-based health care investment firm. The deal includes all U.S. and U.K. operations of WuXi Advanced Therapies, a key player in cell and gene therapy manufacturing. At the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the business spans nearly 400,000 square feet, employs 800 people, and serves industry leaders like Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc., Amicus Therapeutics, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., and Cabaletta Bio. This move comes as Congress considers new legislation that could limit U.S. companies' ability to work with select Chinese firms, including WuXi. WuXi’s leadership emphasizes Altaris' commitment to growth, ensuring continued support for employees, customers, and patients. All other WuXi AppTec operations and business units — Wuxi Chemistry, WuXi Biology and WuXi Testing — remain unchanged. Altaris, a healthcare-focused investment firm established in 2003, specializes in investments within the healthcare contract manufacturing and development sector. With over 50 platform investments and 100+ add-on acquisitions, Altaris leverages its industry expertise and network to drive growth. Its portfolio includes Ci Medical Technologies a U.S.-based medical device contract manufacturer; Kindeva Drug Delivery, a contract developer and manufacturer of complex drug delivery solutions; Minnetronix Medical, a leader in medical technology design, development, and manufacturing; and Oso BioPharmaceuticals Manufacturing, LLC, a contract manufacturer of injectable pharmaceutical products. Through these strategic investments, Altaris continues to foster innovation across the healthcare industry. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, marking a significant development for Philadelphia’s life sciences ecosystem. What are your thoughts on this big change? Let’s discuss! Full article: https://lnkd.in/esbEeT3T Source: John George, Philadelphia Business Journal

🔬How can we make Philadelphia the top talent pipeline in the country?? Maurie Smith and Keystone LifeSci Collaborative have a plan!🔬 BioBuzz recently spoke with Maurie Smith, Managing Director at Keystone LifeSci Collaborative, at CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) Philadelphia's Vendor Showcase about the creation and the launch of the Keystone LifeSci Collaborative in March 2024. This regional initiative is bringing together key players like Adaptimmune, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc., Integral Molecular, and Pfizer to strengthen business connections, build a more robust and diverse workforce, and drive economic growth in Southeastern Pennsylvania’s life sciences sector. Maurie discussed how the Collaborative is focused on growing a first class workforce. The goal is to develop a pipeline of talent that will drive innovation and meet the growing demands of a booming industry in Philadelphia. 🎧 Listen to the full interview to hear more about how Keystone LifeSci Collaborative is shaping the future of the workforce! https://lnkd.in/dDasRnrT A big thank you to the entire CIC - Philadelphia, uCity Square, and University City Science Center teams for organizing such an amazing event. Also, a special shoutout to Persephoni BioPartners for sponsoring the media room! Subscribe to our Youtube: https://lnkd.in/dhqHtj_z Chris Frew Cat Thoreson Bryan Kennedy Annabel Baldy Owen Buzy

⭐Would you like to save time and money through medical waste management?⭐ Listen to our great interview at the CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) vendor showcase with the Founder & CEO of Choice MedWaste, Matt Georgov. A family owned and operated company that serves the greater Philadelphia region with professional medical waste management. Matt shares how his team provides responsive and sustainable services, offering customized scheduling and on-site logistics to meet the unique needs of every client. Whether it’s on-call support or regular weekly maintenance, Choice MedWaste delivers safe, reliable solutions tailored to your business. Don’t miss this engaging conversation! 🎧 Listen to the full interview below!🎧 https://lnkd.in/dpGmv3mV A big thank you to the entire CIC - Philadelphia, uCitySquare and University City Science Center teams for organizing such an amazing event. Also, a special shoutout to Persephoni BioPartners for sponsoring the media room! Subscribe to our Youtube: https://lnkd.in/dhqHtj_z Chris Frew Cat Thoreson Bryan Kennedy Annabel Baldy Owen Buzy

🚀 $34M Seed Funding Announcement: GEMMA Biotherapeutics 🧬 GEMMA Biotherapeutics (GEMMABio), the innovative therapeutics company spun out of the University of Pennsylvania earlier this year by gene therapy pioneer Dr. James M. Wilson, MD, PhD, has secured a $34 million seed funding round to accelerate its groundbreaking gene therapy initiatives. The round was co-led by Double Point Ventures, Bioluminescence Ventures, and Earlybird Venture Capital, with additional backing from Savanne Life Sciences. This investment will fuel GEMMABio’s mission to develop and deliver life-changing gene therapies, improving access to affordable treatments for patients worldwide. Since its launch on October 1, 2024, GEMMABio has several active programs, including a recently announced collaboration with Fiocruz, the main supplier of immunobiologics, biopharmaceuticals, and diagnostics to the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Stay tuned as GEMMABio continues its journey to revolutionize patient care. Full Press Release 👇 https://lnkd.in/eyHRNPYG

🪄 🧪 Take a Tour and See the Magic at CIC and the Greater uCity Square Ecosystem! 🪄 🧪 CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) and uCity Square are teaming up to host the first-ever jointly hosted CIC Open House—your chance to explore a hub of innovation, collaboration, and creativity in University City. Happening January 22nd from 8am - 11am. 📍 The event takes place at 3675 Market Street, a 14-story life sciences hub built in 2018. This state-of-the-art building is home to CIC’s collaborative spaces, Drexel University classrooms, and offices for biotech leaders like Amicus Therapeutics and Carisma Therapeutics. It’s also the future site of The Wistar Institute’s newly announced $24 million HIV Cure and Viral Disease Center, housed in over 25,000 square feet of lab and office space. 🏗️ Developed by the University City Science Center, Wexford Science & Technology, LLC, and Ventas, Inc., this thriving ecosystem exemplifies the future of life sciences innovation in Philadelphia. 📅 Event Highlights: >> Tours: 8:30 AM | 9:30 AM | 10:30 AM >> Breakfast: 6th Floor Café >> Discover: Labs, tenant spaces, and poster sessions >> Connect: Meet local scientists, students, and business leaders >> Engage: Hands-on activities hosted by the CIC team ⏳ Can’t make it? Schedule a private tour with Brandi Burgess at brandi.burgess@cic.com. Come see where innovation meets inspiration! ✨ Grab Tickets Below 👇 https://lnkd.in/e3fYWNUE

🎤 Insights from Maya Heiland, Senior Director, Stem Education University City Science Center, and Bryan Kennedy of BioBuzz! Biobuzz had the pleasure to talk with Maya Heiland, the Senior Director of First Hand STEM Education at the University City Science Center. Maya is leading efforts to empower middle and high school students by exposing them to hands-on STEM experiences. Embedded within the uCity Square ecosystem, Heiland's team has developed strong partnerships with CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) and Wexford Science & Technology, LLC to bring students into labs, where they can engage with STEM professionals in emerging fields. She goes into detail about how The Science Center, with a history of over 60 years, focuses on the intersection of life sciences, healthcare, and community, fostering innovation and collaboration. Through this initiative, Heiland aims to redefine students' relationships to learning, offering them a sense of freedom and confidence that may not be found in traditional school environments. The program is dedicated to diversifying the industry by partnering with mentors and industry leaders to continue growing the initiative and provide valuable opportunities for students. A big thank you to the entire CIC - Philadelphia, uCitySquare, and Science Center teams for organizing such an amazing event. Also, a special shoutout to Persephoni BioPartners for sponsoring the media room! 🎧 Listen to the full interview to hear more about how this initiative is shaping the future of the sector! https://lnkd.in/dzxZpGbb Subscribe to our Youtube: https://lnkd.in/dhqHtj_z Chris Frew Cat Thoreson Bryan Kennedy Annabel Baldy Owen Buzy

Hello Everyone! Stephen Ondek's last #takeover post of the week! As my BioBuzz - Greater Philadelphia #takeover comes to a close, I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap things up than sharing highlights from Germfree’s holiday party yesterday. 🎄 🎅 This week, we’ve explored how Germfree delivers turnkey cleanrooms that empower organizations to scale their operations and serve patients effectively. But behind all that innovation is a team that knows how to work hard and celebrate big! 🥳 Thank you for tuning in—it’s been a fantastic week! #BioBuzzTakeover #TeamGermfree #HappyHolidays

🗞️ 🔬 Exciting news for Philadelphia's life sciences ecosystem! Wexford Science & Technology, LLC and Ventas, Inc. have announced a $28.5M revitalization of 3711 Market Street at uCity Square, one of the city’s most important multi-tenant life sciences facilities. This project, set to be completed in 2025, will provide updated lab infrastructure, move-in ready lab and office suites, and enhanced common areas to support the growth of companies in biotech, pharma, and R&D. Key updates include: 🔹 A modernized lobby with spaces for collaboration 🔹 Increased HVAC and backup power capacity 🔹 Turnkey lab suites ranging from 3,000 to 12,000 sq ft 🔹 Capital for future leasing buildouts In addition to the building’s upgrades, tenants at 3711 Market have access to some of the best life science amenities in the region, including: 🔹 The 425-bench serviced lab facility at CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) Philadelphia 🔹 A 250-person conference facility at University City Science Center Center’s Quorum 🔹 A 17,000 sq ft CRADL® facility by Charles River Laboratories With tenants like Eli Lilly and Company, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., and Good Molecules LLC already calling 3711 Market home, this investment ensures the building will remain a key innovation hub in Philadelphia’s life sciences sector. Full press release 👇 https://lnkd.in/ebdqchRT