2026 Maryland Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Tech Showcase

​2026 Maryland Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Tech Showcase

​On April 30, 2026, join the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF), the Maryland Department of Commerce, and Blackbird Laboratories for a day-long showcase connecting scientists, entrepreneurs, companies and investors advancing regenerative medicine.

​The event features venture-style pitches from MSCRF-funded innovators showcasing stem cell therapies, regenerative platforms, and other stem cell-based breakthrough technologies, each presenting their unique value proposition and path toward clinical and commercial impact.

​Highlights for 2026:

• ​Venture-Ready Tracks: Three distinct investor panels covering the full lifecycle—from Academic Entrepreneurs to Growth-Stage Companies.

• ​Quantum Computing: A keynote by Matt Keesan (IonQ) on how quantum computing is accelerating regenerative medicine.

• ​The Great Debate: A high-stakes session on the transition from animal models to organoids in preclinical testing.

• ​Blackbird Collaboration: Insights from Blackbird Laboratories on their mission to accelerate Maryland’s most promising therapies.

​About the Showcase

​The goal of this event is to build meaningful connections across Maryland’s stem cell and regenerative medicine ecosystem, helping accelerate innovative research toward life-saving treatments.

​MSCRF does not endorse specific companies to potential funders or participate in deal-making resulting from connections made at the event.

​Event Schedule

​April 30, 2026 | City Garage, Baltimore

​(working agenda)

​Morning:

• ​8:30 AM | Continental Breakfast & Registration

  • ​Kick off the day with networking.

• ​9:10 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks

  • ​MSCRF & Maryland Department of Commerce

• ​9:30 AM | Keynote

  • ​Blackbird Laboratories: Accelerating the Maryland Ecosystem.

• ​9:50 AM | Investor Panel I: Academic Entrepreneurs

  • ​Showcasing the next wave of university-born breakthroughs.

    • ​Annie Kathuria - Johns Hopkins University

    • ​Warren Grayson - Johns Hopkins University

    • ​Hee Cheol Cho - Johns Hopkins University

    • ​Mirek Janowski - University of Maryland

    • ​Michael Anderson - Johns Hopkins University

• ​​11:10 AM | Keynote: Artificial Intelligence

  • ​Robin Rowe, Fountain Abode. Artificial Intelligence has Arrived, Quantum is Next.

• ​11:30 AM | Lunch & Networking

​Afternoon:

• ​12:35 PM | Keynote: Quantum Computing in Regenerative Medicine

  • ​Matt Keesan, IonQ. Exploring the computational frontier of cell therapy.

• ​1:10 PM | Keynote: Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller

• ​1:30 PM | The 2026 Debate: Rethinking Preclinical Testing

  • ​Organoids vs. Animal Models: Defining the new standard for safety and efficacy.

• ​2:00 PM | Investor Panel II: Early-Stage Companies

  • ​Pitches from the newest cohort of Maryland startups.

    • ​Caleo Biotechnologies - Samaneh Kamali

    • ​Phycin - Jun Wang

    • ​SereNeuro Therapeutics - Dan Saragnese

    • ​miRecule - Anthony Saleh

    • ​Stemora - Srujana Cherukuri

    • ​Modelus - Prem Umang

• ​3:30 PM | Networking Break

• ​Evening:

• ​4:00 PM | Investor Panel III: Growth-Stage Companies

  • ​Scaling Maryland’s most successful regenerative medicine firms.

    • ​Theradaptive - Luis Alvarez

    • ​Nanochon - Benjamin Holmes

    • ​Seraxis - William Rust

    • ​Diagnostic Biochips - Brian Jamieson

    • ​HOH Cells - Greg Merrill

• ​5:15 PM | Closing Remarks

• ​5:20 PM | Networking & Poster Reception

  • ​Refreshments, hors d'oeuvres, and 1-on-1 collaborative sessions.