Innovation and Collaboration Take Center Stage at 2025 Maryland Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Tech Showcase

On April 29, the 2025 Maryland Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Technology Showcase brought together scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders to highlight advancements in regenerative medicine. Co-hosted by the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) and the Maryland Department of Commerce, the event reinforced Maryland’s reputation as a hub for cutting-edge biomedical innovation.

Now in its second year, the Showcase featured pitch sessions, scientific posters, expert panels, a spirited Oxford-style debate, and keynote addresses—all designed to foster cross-sector collaboration and accelerate translational science. It also served as a platform for MSCRF awardees to connect with funders, partners, and commercialization stakeholders.

Key Remarks and Big Ideas

MSCRF Executive Director Ruchika Nijhara, PhD, and Ulyana Desiderio, PhD, Senior Director of the Office of Strategic Industries and Entrepreneurship at the Maryland Department of Commerce, opened the event, followed by keynote speakers Michael Lehmicke, Senior VP at the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, and Dr. Jay Perman, Chancellor of the University System of Maryland. Closing remarks were given by Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor, Aruna Miller.

A standout session was an Oxford-style debate moderated by Maryland Department of Commerce Senior Manager Matthew Cimino, PhD, exploring a critical question in the field: Should regenerative medicine manufacturing be centralized for scale or localized for flexibility? Dr. Patrick Hanley (Children’s National Hospital/CHARM network) and Dr. Jessica Carmen (RoslinCT) debated trade-offs around cost, quality, speed, and patient access—underscoring how technical decisions made today will shape clinical realities tomorrow. 

Maryland’s Regenerative Medicine Pipeline on Display

Showcase attendees heard directly from companies and researchers translating breakthrough science into real-world solutions. Companies such as SereNeuro Therapeutics, Britecyte, Theradaptive, Caleo Biotechnologies, Nanochon, Agnos Therapeutics, Secretome, Orgenesis, and others presented novel technologies ranging from non-addictive therapies for chronic pain to spinal fusion solutions and bioprinted neural tissue.

Orgenesis’s shared the work of its subsidiary CellVira, which is exploring use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to stealthily deliver oncolytic viruses (OVs) directly to glioblastoma tumors—potentially transforming treatment of this aggressive form of cancer.

On the academic side, researchers like Dr. Warren Grayson of Johns Hopkins showcased foundational work in engineered tissue constructs—demonstrating how Maryland’s research institutions remain engines of innovation.

These innovations—and many others on display—reflect the far-reaching impact of MSCRF’s sustained support. Beyond spotlighting individual breakthroughs, the Showcase made clear just how pivotal the MSCRF is in building and sustaining Maryland’s regenerative medicine ecosystem.

The innovations showcased aren’t just a reflection of individual brilliance—they’re a testament to the strength of Maryland’s regenerative medicine ecosystem, grounded in early-stage funding, cross-sector collaboration, and a shared commitment to scientific progress that moves ideas from lab to clinic.

At the center of this ecosystem is MSCRF, whose strategic investments continue to drive momentum and impact across the state.

The Vital Role of MSCRF

Founded under the Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006, MSCRF has invested over $200 million across 650+ projects, fueling & generating significant returns with more than $525 million in economic activity and creating over 2,000 jobs statewide.

MSCRF operates seven grant programs that span the full spectrum of development—from discovery research to clinical trials and manufacturing. In its latest funding cycle for FY2025, MSCRF awarded over $18 million total, out of this nearly $10 million was through its Discovery program which back early stage ideas and over $3.4 million via its Launch program, which supports new faculty and those new to the regenerative medicine field.

In an ecosystem where federal funding is limited and private capital often favors later-stage or market-driven ventures, MSCRF plays a critical early-stage role—de-risking ideas, enabling translational research, and giving groundbreaking science a real chance to advance, with the ultimate hope of making a transformational impact on patients and their families.

About the Maryland Department of Commerce and Office of Life Sciences

The Maryland Department of Commerce, through its Office of Life Sciences, supports one of the nation’s leading biotech hubs—home to over 54,000 life sciences professionals. By fostering business growth, workforce development, and global partnerships, the Department helps position Maryland as a top destination for life sciences and high-tech innovation.