WESTCHESTER COUNTY BIOSCIENCES UPDATE
Featuring news, events and industry trends
Deborah Viola Joins Biosciences Taskforce

The Westchester Biosciences Taskforce is pleased to announce its newest member, Deborah Viola, MBA, PhD, and Vice President of the Clinical Research Center for Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth Network). The Taskforce supports the Bioscience Industry Desk and keeps the Office of Economic Development up to date on trends and issues within the local and regional ecosystem.

The Clinical Research Center focuses on promoting research and supporting grant opportunities across the WMCHealth Network and affiliated institutions and provides strategic, operational, and financial oversight of clinical research programs, facilities, and information systems.
Regeneron's One-Dose Cocktail Prevents COVID Risk by 81.6% for Up to 8 Months


The antibody therapy, REGEN-COV, is currently authorized in the United States to treat people with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and for prevention of infection in those exposed to infected individuals, and others at high risk of exposure in settings such as nursing homes or prisons.
Westchester County's Excellence in Biosciences Showcased During Annual Symposium for Life Science Real Estate Development

Westchester County was well represented during the 4th Annual Symposium for Life Science Real Estate Development hosted by NYC Builds Bio. The event, which focused on the robust, fast-growing life sciences economy in the Greater New York Metropolitan area, featured two presenters from the Westchester County Office of Economic Development, as well as speakers from four members of Westchester’s biosciences ecosystem – Burke Neurological Research Institute, Sapience Therapeutics, Clarapath and East Post Road Ventures.
Acorda Therapeutics Announces Agreement to Commercialize INBRIJA® in Germany

Ardsley-based, Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has entered into distribution and supply agreements with Esteve Pharmaceuticals GmbH (ESTEVE) to commercialize INBRIJA® 33 mg (levodopa inhalation powder, hard capsules) in Germany. INBRIJA is indicated in the EU for the intermittent treatment of episodic motor fluctuations (OFF episodes) in adult patients with Parkinson’s disease treated with a levodopa/dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor. (1) Acorda had previously announced an agreement with ESTEVE to commercialize INBRIJA in Spain.
Trustmark Health Benefits Partners With Teladoc Health to Launch New Virtual-First Health Plan Services

Trustmark Health Benefits, Inc. announced the launch of their first virtual-first health plan design in partnership with Purchase-based Teladoc Health, the global leader in whole-person virtual care.

Teladoc Health’s primary care service, Primary360, sits at the center of the health plan design and is complemented by the full suite of virtual care services, including chronic care management and mental health. The offering is specifically designed to address persistent challenges in cost and access to high-quality healthcare for millions of consumers, especially those who do not have an ongoing relationship with a primary care provider. The Trustmark myVirtualCare Access, Care by Teladoc, offering will be available nationwide to self-funded employers beginning in calendar year 2022. Trustmark Health Benefits, a leading national health benefits administrator, will act as the third-party administrator. Leading global professional services firm, Aon, provided knowledge, expertise and was influential in developing the solution.
Sapience Therapeutics to Present at the Piper Sandler 33rd Annual Healthcare Conference

Harrison-based, Sapience Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of peptide therapeutics to address difficult-to-treat cancers, announced the company will present at the Piper Sandler 33rd Annual Healthcare Conference, taking place virtually on November 29, 2021.

Members of Sapience's management team will present a company overview and will also participate in one-on-one meetings with life science investors during the event.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Hope for Moving Again After a Neurological Injury: What’s on the Research Horizon, November 19 at 12:30 PM

Join Burke Neurological Institute for its next Gives Hope series on “Hope for moving again after a neurological injury: What’s on the research horizon” featuring Dr. Yutaka Yoshida, Lab Director, Laboratory for Neural Connectivity Development in Physiology and Disease, Burke Neurological Institute. This talk will highlight:

  1. Understanding how the brain makes the body move: a quick lesson for beginners. 
  2. Exploring how to repair the brain to regain movement after an injury of the nervous system.
  3. The groundbreaking discoveries in basic scientific research that is leading to the recovery of movement.

Date: November 19
Time: 12:30 PM
Crossing the Valley of Death: Lab to IPO and Lab to Acquisition, November 30 at 1 PM

On November 30th hear from Josep Bassaganya-Riera, Chairman and CEO Landos BioPharma, and Matthew Meyer, former Chief Business officer CAREDx and now Chief Buisness Advisor Wilson Sonsini, as they share their journey crossing the chasm to lead ventures from academia to the public market.

Immediately following the Q&A portion of the panel, you'll have an opportunity to meet and talk with the speakers at virtual tables.

Date: November 30, 2021
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Navigating Technology Transfers from Research Institutions, December 9 at 12 PM

Research institutions like universities and federal research labs, are gold mines of key opinion leaders and innovative technologies that can be mined by entrepreneurs. Technology transfer professionals are working to build partnerships with entrepreneurs to bring technologies to market. These professionals can help companies find expert advisors, service providers, and funding to grow your company and demonstrate value in the clinic. Through a panel discussion and live Q&A with seasoned experts, you'll learn how to partner with research institutions.

Please join this Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE) and GW Technology Commercialization Office webinar on December 9, 2021 and learn how medical startup companies can transfer technologies from research institutions.

Date: December 9, 2021
Time: 12:00 PM

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