The Next Helix: Building Maryland’s Bioecosystem
This event is part of BioBuzz’s Insights to Impact Series, a curated program designed exclusively for life sciences industry leaders and ecosystem builders. Our guest list is intentionally built to foster a high-quality, peer-driven experience.
Overview
Maryland's biotech ecosystem didn't happen by accident. It was built — by federal investment, world-class institutions, and a generation of bold scientist and leaders who saw what translational science could become. From the earliest days of Human Genome Sciences and MedImmune, this region proved that breakthrough science and commercial ambition could thrive in the same zip code.
That foundation still holds. But the landscape is shifting. AI is reshaping process development. Facility design is going modular. Capital strategies are evolving beyond traditional dilutive models. And the companies winning now are building platforms, not just assets.
This event brings together industry leaders, facility heads, and ecosystem builders in the heart of the I-270 Corridor — Germantown, Montgomery County — to explore what built this ecosystem, what's changing the game, and what the future will be. Three TED-style talks from leaders who've shaped and are shaping this region will anchor the evening, followed by a Leadership Roundtable that brings them together for a candid conversation about where Maryland biotech goes from here.
Agenda
4:00 PM Check-In + Networking
5:00 PM Welcome + Opening Remarks
5:10 PM TED Talk #1: What and Who Got Us Here?
• David Hilbert, Founder, Arcellx
5:25 PM TED Talk #2: The Shift and What’s Next?
Deborah Hemingway, PhD, Managing Partner, Ecphora Capital
5:40 PM Leadership Roundtable
Brian Stamper, Manufacturing Excellence Lead, BioPharmaceutical Development, AstraZeneca
Abhishake Chhibber, Co-Founder, Linden Lake Labs, Inc., Board Member, Xcellon Biologics
Michael Konstantopoulos, Maryland Office Leader, CRB (Moderator)
6:15 PM Networking
Venue
PIC MC
The Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology at Montgomery College (PIC MC) is an integrated academic, business, and research hub uniquely designed to connect education, industry, and innovation within Maryland’s I-270 technology corridor.
Located in Germantown and part of the nationally recognized Montgomery College which serves nearly 50,000 students across 140+ programs, PIC MC provides unmatched access to hands-on learning and workforce pathways in fields such as biotechnology, cybersecurity, engineering, and health sciences.
The campus is home to Holy Cross Germantown Hospital, the only full-service hospital based on a community college campus, as well as Hughes Network Systems’ state-of-the-art satellite manufacturing facility.
PIC MC anchors a larger innovation ecosystem that includes the Germantown Innovation Center, the county’s premier incubator for early-stage tech and life science companies; BioTrain, a leading regional biotech workforce training program; Bio-Trac, and a nationally recognized provider of advanced laboratory training.
Surrounded by more than 350 bioscience companies and key federal institutions, PIC MC fosters collaboration, fuels regional talent pipelines, and drives economic growth—creating a dynamic ecosystem where education, industry partnerships, and innovation thrive.
Learn more at montgomerycollege.edu.
Partners
This event is made possible by the TEDCO Equitech Growth Fund, which empowers Maryland’s innovation economy through strategic grants for infrastructure and workforce development.
And our incredible sponsors:
Agilent (agilent.com)
Conner Strong & Buckelew (connerstrong.com)
CRB (crbgroup.com)
Fulton Bank (fultonbank.com)
Heffron Company (heffroncompany.com)
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF) (hjf.org)
Kymanox (kymanox.com)
Pharmaron (pharmaron.com)
PIC MC (montgomerycollege.edu)
TEDCO (tedcomd.com)
Workforce Genetics (workforcegenetics.com)
Xcellon Biologics (xcellon.bio)
Important Information
We encourage you to share this with those in your network who are passionate about strengthening the BioHealth Capital Region’s biotech ecosystem and would benefit from attending.
NOTE TO VENDORS + SERVICE PROVIDERS
Vendor and Service Provider attendance is limited to ensure a high-quality, peer-driven industry experience. A select number of Vendor / Service Provider tickets ($75) are available using access code VENDOR.
Vendors and Service Providers operating in the same category as any of our sponsors will require pre-authorization from the associated sponsor. BioBuzz reserves the right to restrict registration and entry as necessary. Refunds will be provided when tickets cannot be honored.