The Roundup – February 29, 2024

View this email in your browser
February 29, 2024
Member News


More Industry News


Welcome Talam BiotechTalam Biotech is leading the development of solutions that enable farmers to produce healthier, more sustainable food. At Talam, they leverage the power of naturally occurring soil microbes to reduce food-associated contaminants and remediate pollutants. Learn more
Opportunity for Engage: BIO International Convention 2024We are pleased to invite potential sponsors and attendees to the Connecticut Pavilion (booth #2425) at the BIO International Convention 2024, set to take place in San Diego June 3rd-6th. This pavilion will serve as a platform to highlight the growth and innovation within Connecticut’s life sciences industry on a global scale.

Anticipating the attendance of >15,000 leaders from the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors, the BIO International Convention promises opportunities for networking and establishing partnerships.Please reach out to Kelley Gipson (kgipson@bioct.org) if you are:

  • Interested in attending and utilizing the Connecticut Pavilion as “home base” for meetings and networking during the convention.
  • Interested in sponsoring. We invite you to review the Sponsor Prospectus, outlining various sponsorship levels and corresponding benefits.

This endeavor is made possible through the generous contributions of esteemed partners including the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Innovations, AdvanceCT, and several other key stakeholders.

Join us in showcasing Connecticut’s strength and ingenuity at #BIO2024.

2024 SPRINT Internship Program Is Now OpenSince its inception in 2022, the SPRINT program has welcomed over 250 interns from more than 85 colleges and universities. Interns have specialized in various fields, including research and development, finance, human resources, and more.

Apply now to be a part of a diverse and dynamic internship community.

Empowering New Haven Students: Tutoring Initiative Volunteer Information Session Join the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce for an event designed for business professionals interested in getting involved in the New Haven Tutoring Initiative. The Chamber, in partnership with New Haven Counts, is holding a volunteer recruitment event for you to better understand the goals of the Tutoring Initiative, how to get involved, and answer questions. Join today, Thursday, February 29th, at 4:30pm by registering here.
I often say BioCT’s three priorities are the 3 P’s: Policy, People, and Promotion. With Connecticut legislature in session, Policy is taking center stage.

Yesterday, Sen. Anwar and Rep. McCarthy-Vahey held a press conference for Rare Disease Day. Our Connecticut Rare Disease Forum next Thursday (March 7) was specifically mentioned – an event I can’t be any more excited for, and which is almost at capacity. The link below provides a brief recap of the press conference.

Sen. Anwar and Rep. McCarthy-Vahey: Rare Disease Day and Press Conference

Additionally, the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee met on Monday 2/26 and hosted a Research and Development and Economic Growth Informational Forum provided by UConn Health. The link below provides the presentation information.

2.26.24 UConn Health Center Presentation.pdf (ct.gov)

Presenters were as follows:

  • Dr. Lisa Kuhn, Professor and Associate Department Head, Department of Biomedical Engineering – Custom 3D Printed Prosthetics
  • Dr. Ketan Bulsara, Professor and Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery – Cranial Nerve and Brain Stem Disorders Program
  • Dr. Dan Roberts, Co-Director of Research, Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery – Cranial Nerve and Brain Stem Disorders Program
  • Dr. George Kuchel, Director of the UConn Center on Aging, Chief of Geriatric Medicine – Healthy Aging through Precision Geroscience
  • Dr. Robert Aseltine, Professor and Chair, Division of Behavioral Sciences and Community Health – Suicide Risk Assessment 1
  • Dr. Nicole Wagner, President and Chief Executive Officer, LambdaVision, Inc.- Combatting Vision Impairment
  • Dr. Maggie Callahan, Chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology – Immunology in Cancer Patients
  • Dr. Raj Verma, Assistant Professor, Division of Neuroscience – Stroke Treatment and Recovery
  • Dr. Caroline Dealy, Associate Professor, Division of Orthodontics, Orthopedic Surgery, Biomedical Engineering and Cell Biology – Addressing Impacts of Osteoarthritis
  • Dr. Changchun Liu, Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering – Synthetic Biology and Smart Medical Device Laboratory
  • Dr. Jeff Hoch, Director, Gregory P. Mullen NMR Structural Biology Facility – Nuclear Magnetic Resonance: Advancing Personalized Medicine
  • Dr. Biree Andemariam, M.D., Professor, Department of Medicine, American Red Cross Endowed Chair, Director of the New England Sickle Cell Institute and the Connecticut Bleeding Disorders Center
  • Dr. Les Loew, UConn Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor, Boehringer Ingelheim Chair in Cell Sciences – The “Virtual Cell”
  • Dr. Se-Jin Lee, Presidential Distinguished Professor, Division of Genetics and Genome Sciences – Advancing Muscle/Bone Loss and Obesity Treatments

The Insurance & Real Estate Committee met on Tuesday 2/27 for a Public Hearing. One of the bills scheduled for the hearing is HB 5054 AN ACT ADDRESSING HEALTH CARE AFFORDABILITY. On Tuesday, BioCT provided testimony against this bill based on feedback from our Government Affairs Committee and our partners at BIO and PhRMA. Following is a link to this bill.

2024HB-05054-R00-HB.PDF (ct.gov)

Over the upcoming weeks, various committees will be meeting and vetting bills that are now coming up in public hearings. We have boots on the ground through Rome Smith Lutz & Kowalski in Hartford all day, every day. As always, we will continue to keep you updated as the legislative session develops. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

— Jodie GillonPresident and CEO
Last Chance to RegisterConnecticut Rare Disease Forum is just one week away and the space is almost at capacity. Registration will close at the end of the day Monday, March 4th.

Register now

Navigating Credits and Incentives: ERC, WOTC, and More – Hosted by CLA TODAY, February 29, 12:00 – 1:00 pmAttend our complimentary webinar as CLA tax professionals show you how to navigate the complex landscape of employment-related tax credits. We’ll cover the employee retention credit… Connecticut Science Center – Pathways to Stem NightTODAY, February 29, 5:00 – 8:00 pmManufacturing careers are in high demand, and increasing access to education and training opportunities is one of the first steps toward fortifying Connecticut’s workforce pipeline. With that…Councils & Conversation – Hosted by GNHCC Tuesday, March 5, 8:00 – 9:30 amJoin our Technology Council members for a round table discussion into real world applications for Artificial Intelligence in your business.   Empowered Women, Empower The World! Webinar – Hosted by GNHCC Tuesday, March 5, 8:00 – 9:30 amWhat does it take to be a great woman leader?  In this insightful session you will learn the 10 most vital traits of exceptional women leaders. You will also learn how to build a positive and productive team that gets things done effectively.PULSE & FLY Mixer  – Hosted by GNHCCWednesday, March 6, 5:00 – 7:00 pmMix and mingle with like-minded individuals in the vibrant atmosphere of BAR while enjoying refreshments and conversation. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your network and forge…Connecticut Rare Disease Day Forum  – Hosted by BioCT and The Jackson Laboratory Thursday, March 7, 1:30 – 4:30 pmJoin us for an afternoon of industry-led discussions on innovation in rare disease diagnostics and treatments, along with the promising impact of these advancements on patient outcomes.The Jackson Laboratory: Women X Women Tuesday, March 12, 2:00 – 5:00 pmLeading JAX scientists will discuss infertility caused by endometriosis and cancer treatments, and the impact of genetic diversity on our ability to fight disease. This special event is being offered…ELabNYC Clinical Trials Masterclass – Hosted by ABCT Wednesday, March 13 – Thursday, March 14Two tracks: Intro to Clinical Trials for first time ventures & Best practices to achieve DEI including technology & community engagement. Discount code SVSHOJ gives 20% off through March 1.CURE Rare Disease Lab Grand Opening Saturday March 16, 11:00 am – 2:00 pmThis event promises a unique opportunity to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony, explore the facility, and enjoy a lunch. Make sure to mark your calendar for this special occasion…HAYVN HATCH – Pitch nightMonday, March 18, 5:30 – 6:30 pmJoin HAYVN HATCH for their next pitch night and hear from 5 startups who are ready to grow!Register Now!


Advancing Leadership Through Mentoring – Hosted by EWIB Monday, March 25, 5:00 – 7:00 pmJoin us for a mentoring and networking event co-hosted by Mentorship, Advisors, Peers, and Sponsorship (MAPS) and Executive Women In Bio (EWIB). Our speaker Usha Pillai will lead…ABCT Pitch Day 2024Thursday, May 9, 1:00 – 7:00 pmJoin an audience of entrepreneurs, investors, corporate sponsors, and other members of the life sciences ecosystem to see the ventures from the 7th annual cohort of the Accelerator for…2024 BIO International Convention Monday, June 3 – Thursday, June 6The BIO International Convention is the largest and most comprehensive event for biotechnology, representing the full ecosystem of biotech with over 20,000 industry leaders from across the…

Full Events Calendar
Please email Caitlin Truesdale to share any news and events: ctruesdale@bioct.org