Meet the Winners of BioBuzz’s 2024 Awards in the BioHealth Capital Region

BioBuzz is thrilled to announce the winners of our 2024 BioBuzz Awards, presented by US Pharmacopeia (USP), Avantor, MilliporeSigma, Blackbird Labs, Integral Molecular and Life Science Wealth.

Now in its fifth year for the BioHealth Capital Region (spanning Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia), BioBuzz's Awards honor the outstanding people, programs and organizations in the life sciences who go above and beyond to support the success of the community, the industry and the patients that ultimately benefit.

"BioBuzz’s Annual Awards are not just a celebration of individual achievements, but a reflection of the collective strength of our life sciences community," said Chris Frew, CEO of BioBuzz Networks. "Nominated and chosen by peers, these awards symbolize the power of collaboration and the shared commitment to advancing the industry and recognizing those driving meaningful change."

This year’s awards received over 5,000 individual votes and represent increased awareness for our finalists and a show of great enthusiasm by their supporters.

Let’s meet your 2024 BioBuzz Award Winners.

‘John Holaday’ BioHealth Leader of the Year

Bill Niland, CEO, ReGelTec, Inc.; Member Board of Directors, NeuroIntact; Member Board of Directors, Secretome Therapeutics, Inc.; Director, Sonavex

Bill Niland is a serial healthcare entrepreneur who has founded and successfully exited four different companies in the healthcare space. Bill is currently the CEO of ReGelTec, Inc. a medical device company bringing an injectable polymer for Degenerative Disc Disease from startup to commercialization.

More about Bill: 

• Director, Sonavex, Inc. A Baltimore-based medical device company originally spun out of Johns Hopkins, Sonavex has developed a portfolio of novel ultrasound solutions that empower patient care by delivering critical visual and quantitative data to improve outcomes and reduce costs. Their Echomark & EchoSure technologies were most recently named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024. 

• Member, Board of Directors, Secretome Therapeutics, Inc.  Developing a platform of first-in-class therapeutics derived from neonatal mesenchymal stem cells (nMSC) for the treatment of underserved diseases, Secretome’s lead product, STM-01, is in development for adult and pediatric forms of heart failure, and their pipeline includes novel secretomes for neurodegenerative and dermatological diseases.

• Board Chair, NeuroIntact. A medical device company headquartered in Baltimore, MD dedicated to revolutionizing patient care and outcomes by preserving neurological function. The company explains that, through their targeted temperature management (TTM), providers can manage elevated intracranial pressure or edemas with fewer side effects compared to whole-body cooling.

Prior to these roles, Niland co-founded Harpoon Medical, Inc. which he sold to Edwards Lifesciences for $250M ($100M upfront with $150M in potential milestones) in less than 5 years with only $6.5M of dilutive funding, generating an IRR >100% for investors.

Before Harpoon, Mr. Niland founded Vapotherm to commercialize High-Flow respiratory therapy technology he invented. Vapotherm has treated over 3 Million patients, went public in 2018 (NYSE:VAPO) Vapotherm HighFlow therapy played an important role in keeping COVID-19 patients off a ventilator.

Mr. Niland also started a sleep diagnostic company in the early 90’s, Sleep Services of America and grew the largest sleep testing company in the U.S. before selling it to Vital Signs. He holds 35 patents, is an angel investor and sits on multiple medical device company boards.

Community Builder of the Year

Jim Pannucci, PhD, Vice President - Entrepreneurship, Activation Capital

The importance of community cannot be overstated, especially in the life sciences, where collaboration is a cornerstone of progress.

It’s through community, connection and shared purpose that groundbreaking innovations not only take root, but thrive. And no one knows this better or works more tirelessly than our 2024 BioHealth Capital Region Community Builder of the Year Award winner. 

Jim Pannucci’s work at Activation Capital has focused on enriching the BioHealth region of Richmond, Virginia, increasing the research and intellectual property development through partnerships with local universities. He has actively defined the region’s scientific and technological specializations and expanded the continuum of support programs that are accelerating new product development and company formations. Pannucci’s nurturing of Virginia-based researchers and entrepreneurs has given him the ability to attract high-caliber out-of-state talent leading to the ever-growing success of Virginia’s expanding BioHealth community.

“I am honored and excited to receive this award that reflects accomplishments the entire Richmond region has been working toward over the last several years,” stated Pannucci. “I'm proud to be part of the team of people and organizations growing this area's life science, pharma, and biotech hub. We're making Richmond, Petersburg, and the surrounding region a place for BioHealth startups to form and grow, and for established companies to locate and succeed. Great things are happening here. I am thrilled to be part of it.”

Pannucci’s career in science has spanned the diverse business cultures of the pharmaceutical industry, National Laboratories, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, and contract services for research and program management. Like many scientists, his time at the bench evolved into leadership roles where he was responsible for strategy, business and pipeline development, profit-and-loss management and R&D operations. The technical spectrum of his work includes basic and applied research, GMP/GLP product development, technology review and investment decisions, team formation and leadership, as well as the fundamentals of running a science business.

Pannucci’s work shows how dedicated he is to the life sciences community, propelling its relativity through his constant engagement in facilitating noteworthy candidates for employment. His careful craft in creating proper workforces can only be done by his thorough research in Virginia’s BioHealth region. 

Things we’re watching for in 2025: 

• Activation Capital is kicking off an exciting new grant from GO-Virginia that will extend our BioHealth entrepreneurship, acceleration and community development programming.

• Creating an inventory and status of regional IP and life science companies that will be used to quantitatively track pipeline and growth metrics.

• Building a regional network of advisors and practitioners to work with our startup community to develop technologies that benefit end-users and advance business success throughout the region.

Workforce Champion of the Year

Avi Silber and The Academy of Biotechnology at Northwest High School

BioBuzz’s Workforce Champion of the Year Award recognizes a person, program, or organization that has made a measurable contribution to enhancing the biotech workforce, recognized for their outstanding contributions and innovative approaches to attracting, training, and/or growing the biotech workforce.

A transformative program, the Academy of Biotechnology ignites a passion for the life sciences in high school students, giving them early exposure to career paths in biopharmaceuticals and biomedical research. 

“I am honored and humbled to represent the Academy of Biotechnology as the recipient of the Workforce Champion of the Year award for the Greater Capital region,” stated Avi Silber, Academy of Biotechnology Coordinator and teacher at Northwest High School. “It is a recognition of the efforts of my incredible colleagues at Northwest, our industrious Academy student officers, and the many organizations that generously contribute time, volunteers, and funds to help prepare our students for careers in biotechnology and health. I want to particularly thank Millipore Sigma for their contributions as localized partners.” 

With an immersive curriculum in genetics, molecular biology, and other critical fields, this academy sets its students up for unparalleled success. Graduates emerge not only college-ready but often secure prestigious scholarships and research roles, armed with a competitive edge in science and biotechnology that will serve them well throughout their careers. The Academy’s legacy is one of empowerment, giving young minds the tools and confidence to shape their future in biotechnology.

2025 Goals and Priorities:

1. Securing Apprenticeship Placements
Currently, three companies offer apprenticeships to graduates of the Academy of Biotechnology. While no students have secured a placement yet, the program has come close. Given the high level of competition for a limited number of positions, the Academy will continue working closely with these companies and others to expand opportunities while further preparing students to be strong candidates.

2. Expanding On-Site Training
With the completion of MilliporeSigma’s new facility, the Academy looks forward to utilizing the company’s Learning Lab to provide hands-on training in advanced techniques not possible within the school’s own facilities. The first session at this new site is planned for the spring.

3. Updating Curriculum for BACE
The Biotechnology Aptitude and Competency Exam (BACE) has undergone a major update this year. In response, the Academy is actively revising its curriculum and enhancing collaborative efforts with industry partners to ensure students remain well-prepared for this important industry assessment.

4. Managing Program Growth
As the Academy has expanded significantly over the past two years, staffing and space needs have grown as well. With the acquisition of new equipment, faculty members have been training to ensure consistency in education across all lab spaces. In the coming year, the program will focus on optimizing classroom utilization for larger class sizes and adjusting field trip logistics, whether by splitting groups or increasing capacity per visit.

With the dynamic nature of education and biotechnology, the Academy anticipates new opportunities—some of which may arise from the visibility provided by this award - as well as unforeseen challenges. This continuous evolution keeps each year engaging and ensures that students receive the best possible preparation for careers in the life sciences.

Startup of the Year

AgroSpheres (Charlottesville, VA) Website | LinkedIn

BioBuzz’s Startup of the Year Award celebrates the most promising early-stage companies in the BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR), recognizing their exceptional contributions to science, technology, and healthcare. Each year, this award honors startups that exemplify innovation, entrepreneurship, and a commitment to addressing critical challenges through groundbreaking solutions, positioning the region as a global leader in biohealth innovation.

AgroSpheres addresses critical agricultural challenges with its biotech platform, improving pesticide delivery and crop protection. The company’s focus on sustainability ensured farmers could enhance productivity while reducing environmental harm.

In 2024, AgroSpheres launched its innovative bio-based pesticide delivery system and secured partnerships with major agricultural companies to conduct large-scale trials. The company raised significant funding to expand R&D capabilities, driving further advancements in sustainable farming technologies.

“We are honored to receive the BioBuzz Award, which recognizes the hard work and dedication of our team in advancing sustainable agricultural solutions. We look forward to continuing our mission of delivering cutting-edge technology to growers worldwide.    

Noteworthy Impact:

• Reduced the environmental footprint of agriculture through bio-based solutions.

• Improved crop protection and productivity for farmers worldwide.

• Advanced sustainable farming practices to support global food security.

Their 2025 priorities?! Launching their fermentation facility to localize manufacturing and launching our first commercial product to growers across the United States.

Breakthrough Life Science Company of the Year

CoapTech (Baltimore, MD) Website | LinkedIn

BioBuzz’s Breakthrough Life Science Company of the Year Award spotlights the most groundbreaking companies in the BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR), recognizing their significant contributions to advancing science, medicine and healthcare. 

CoapTech specializes in minimally invasive medical devices, with their PUMA-G system standing out as a game changer for gastrostomy procedures. By enabling ultrasound-guided placement of feeding tubes, PUMA-G reduces the need for surgery, decreases costs and minimizes patient risks.

CoapTech was honored for its bold strides in creating the PUMA-G system, which democratizes access to minimally invasive gastrostomy procedures. This year, they achieved significant global market penetration, launched new product iterations, and secured additional patents, underscoring their role as a disruptor in healthcare innovation. Their focus on commercialization and addressing global healthcare disparities solidifies their place as a finalist.

"CoapTech is sincerely grateful for this recognition from BioBuzz,” stated Howard Carolan, CEO. “We have been working diligently with our amazing team to keep advancing our Puma products, finding new hospitals and new partnerships to bring our devices to the patients that can really benefit from them. Thanks to our team members for their dedication and the community for recognizing our efforts!"

Noteworthy Impact:

• Pioneered the world’s first device allowing gastrostomy procedures to be performed at the bedside, simplifying care in emergency and outpatient settings.

• Gained international recognition for addressing global healthcare disparities, with a focus on expanding access in under-resourced areas.

• Secured patents and regulatory approvals to scale adoption in hospitals worldwide.

For the coming year, “we are continuing to add to our sales team with a refined approach to target the right kinds of doctors that would easily become users of our product. We are finishing up a round of capital funding that includes many local Maryland investors. We are working towards FDA approval for our pediatric device. Our engineering team is making advances with our primary Puma products as well as expanding the use case to similar procedures. We are already on track for our most successful year in sales and that means expanding the positive impact for the patients we serve. "

Employer of the Year

AstraZeneca (Gaithersburg, MD) Website | LinkedIn

AstraZeneca, the largest life science employer in Maryland, is a trailblazer in the pharmaceutical industry, known for its life-changing treatments and breakthrough therapies in oncology, cardiovascular, renal, and respiratory diseases. 

Located in Gaithersburg, MD, AstraZeneca is not only shaping the future of healthcare but also creating an employee-centric culture that fosters growth, inclusion, and empowerment. The company’s commitment to innovation is reflected in its employee programs, which emphasize professional development, well-being, and work-life balance. AstraZeneca’s focus on diverse perspectives within their teams allows them to push the boundaries of science while maintaining an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on global health. This dedication to advancing both medical research and employee satisfaction makes AstraZeneca a fitting winner for the Life Science Employer of the Year Award.

“This award is a testament to AstraZeneca’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive workplace where bold ideas and cutting-edge science thrive,” stated Brian Stamper, Executive Director, Cell Therapy Operations, AstraZeneca. “We believe in empowering our people to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and continuously grow both professionally and personally. By cultivating an environment that values different perspectives and lifelong learning, we create a culture that drives innovation and makes a meaningful impact on the future of healthcare.”

2025 Priorities:

The year 2025 marks the beginning of a catalyst-rich period for the company, representing a significant step in its Ambition 2030 journey to achieve $80 billion in total revenue by the end of the decade.

Over the course of the year, the company anticipates the release of Phase III data for seven new medicines, along with several key new indication opportunities for existing therapies. Additionally, major investments are being made in transformative technologies with the potential to drive long-term growth well beyond 2030.

In Maryland, the company is set to open a new sustainable, state-of-the-art facility in Rockville this summer. Located near its strategic R&D center in Gaithersburg, this facility will play a crucial role in advancing next-generation cell therapy for critical cancer trials and future commercial supply. Meanwhile, at the Frederick biologics manufacturing facility—the largest in the company’s global network - expanded capabilities will further support patient needs today and in the future.