Heather Ellis Named as Executive Director
OTRADI/OBI’s board of directors has promoted Interim Director Heather Ellis to the position of full-time Executive Director for OTRADI and OBI.
“During my time at OTRADI and OBI, I have gained an even greater appreciation for the potential for innovation in healthcare – and Oregon’s opportunity to play a part in that innovation. OTRADI has been the forefront of healthcare innovation in the state of Oregon for more than a decade. I am honored and excited to leverage that history of work as we continue to support Oregon entrepreneurs in improving healthcare for people everywhere. I am incredibly excited to step into this role and continue supporting OBI and Oregon health innovation companies in my new position,” said Ellis. Read full press release here.
Big congratulations to Heather!
OBI Client Company Wins
Veana Therapeutics presented a poster at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, which was held virtually May 29-31. The poster abstract titled “A phase I dose escalation trial of alpha-tocopheryloxyacetic acid and concurrent trastuzumab in patients with treatment refractory HER2+ metastatic breast cancer” was presented by William Gwin, MD from the University of Washington, who is overseeing the clinical trial as its lead physician.
Madorra was featured in the May issue of Oprah Magazine, as a rising star in women’s health technology, improving the quality of women’s lives after breast cancer or menopause with their non-hormonal medical device to reduce vaginal dryness.
Caregiven‘s Candice Smith recently shared her story to over 400 live participants at the Global Insurance Accelerator’s Startup Showcase, which also resulted in several introductions to individuals and funds. You can watch the 6-minute pitch here.
Vir Bio announced the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial of VIR-3434, an investigational monoclonal antibody that neutralizes hepatitis B virus (HBV) and has been engineered to potentially also act as a therapeutic vaccine. They have also finalized a process development and manufacturing agreement with Biogen Inc. Under the agreement Biogen will perform process development activities and specified manufacturing and process transfer services to enable commercial supply of Vir’s SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies for potential COVID-19 treatment.
Hemex Health‘s medical diagnostic device, Gazelle, was tested in the field alongside other malaria testing protocols, as published in the Lancet’s EClinicalMedicine. Gazelle was found to be a valuable diagnostic tool, and a fast and cost-effective way to test for malaria in field settings. Read the full text article here.
COVID-19 Resources for our Business Community
Business Oregon, alongside the Oregon Employment Department, the Oregon Secretary of State, and the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services compiled the information on this page to assist Oregon small business owners, employees, and others dealing with the impacts of COVID-19.
Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP) has a COVID-19 Workplace Preparedness Assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to recommend/suggest ideas you may wish to consider as Oregon moves toward reopening in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Take the assessment here.
Upcoming Events
OBI Events
Virtual Lunch & Learn: Pivot with Purpose –
Build Your Business Around Your Greatest Strength
June 17, 2020
12:00-1:00 PM
Register here – Free to attend
Virtual Lunch & Learn: They Said it Couldn’t be Done!
De-Risk Your Projects
July 22, 2020
12:00-1:00 PM
Free – Register here
Other Community Events
Cooley Healthtech Talks: Funding for Your Early Stage Startup:
A Roadmap to Seed + Series A Financing
June 11, 2020
9:00-10:00 AM
Register to attend – Free
Current Trends in Venture Funding:
Perspective on Investments Post-Pandemic
June 16, 2020
10:00-11:00 AM
Register now – Free to attend
FAN BASE: Competitive Edge
[PREGAME] Summer Business Coaching Series
June 16, 2020
12:00-1:30 PM
More information
PDXWIT and PIE June Happy Hour
June 16, 2020
5:00-6:30 PM
Registration – Free to attend
University Lab Partners: 3 Steps to Make Your Boardroom
Team a Competitive Weapon
June 18, 2020
3:00-4:30 PM
Register here – Free
Founders Live PDX Virtual Experience
June 18, 2020
5:30-8:00 PM
Free to attend – Register here
Oregon Science Startup Forum
June 20, 2020
8:00 AM-7:00 PM
More information here
Bio, Business and Good Beans – Data Security and Privacy:
Managing Risks of Remote Work
June 24, 2020
9:15-10:00 AM
Free to attend – Registration link
OHSU INVENT Seminar: How to Leverage Market Research and
Customer Outreach to Successfully Launch Your Idea
June 25, 2020
Panelists include OBI client company leaders from Maddora and Hemex
Free to attend – Register here
NOW CFO Roadmap to Recovery Weekly Webinars
Wednesdays at 2 PM, Fridays at 12 noon
Learn more here
SciEducate Webinars
Series of upcoming webinars
More info here