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Martine Rothblatt PhD, JD, MBA, Chairperson and CEO of United Therapeuticsand inventor of SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

Credit: United Therapeutics Corporation

University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) DeanMark T. Gladwin, MD, announced today thatMartine Rothblatt PhD, JD, MBA, Chairperson and CEO of United Therapeutics, and inventor of SiriusXM Satellite Radio, will deliver the keynote address for this years graduating medical student class. The UMSOM MD graduation ceremony will take place at the Hippodrome Theatre on Thursday, May 16, 2024.The ceremony will begin at 1:00 pm. Details for faculty members arehere. Details for students/guests arehere.

Dr. Rothblatt is a trailblazing pioneer of several innovations in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and satellite communications. After developing SiriusXM, she founded United Therapeutics, in an effort to find a cure for her daughters life-threatening illness, pulmonary arterial hypertension. Under Dr. Rothblatts leadership, United Therapeutics, headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, has become a large biotech company focused on engineering cell biology to develop new therapeutics and manufactured transplantable organs. Its monoclonal antibody has been approved to treat neuroblastoma, and its genetically modified pig hearts and kidneys were the first to be transplants into humans.

The biotech company funded and helped establish the Cardiac Xenotransplantation Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, which led to the worlds first two transplants of genetically-modified pig organs into living patients. Both patients were transplanted with pig hearts to treat their terminal heart failure and lived for more than a month.

The historic procedures were performed at the University of Maryland Medical Center byBartley Griffith, MD, Professor of Surgery and The Thomas E. and Alice Marie Hales Distinguished Professor in Transplantation at UMSOM andMuhammad M. Mohiuddin, MD, Professor of Surgery and Scientific/Program Director of the Cardiac Xenotransplantation Program at UMSOM.

We are thrilled to have Dr. Rothblatt address this distinguished class of up-and-coming physicians, said Dr. Gladwin who is the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean of UMSOM, and Vice President for Medical Affairs at University of Maryland, Baltimore.Her contributions and groundbreaking developments in addressing lung disease, cancer, and the chronic organ shortage have had an immeasurable impact on the field of medicine. Shes a role model for our medical students, demonstrating that if you have the will to have a substantial impact, you can make it happen.

An attorney-entrepreneur, Dr. Rothblatt is a tireless advocate for human rights. In 1992, she led the International Bar Associations efforts in drafting the Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights and has been a leading advocate for transgender acceptance. For her impacts in satellite communications, she was elected to the International Institute of Space Law and has represented the radio astronomy communitys scientific interests before the Federal Communications Commission.

Celebrated as a visionary, thought leader, and published author, Dr. Rothblatt is named One of 100 Greatest Living Business Minds byForbesand Most Powerful LGBTQ+ People in Tech byBusiness Insider.Her pioneering book,Your Life or Mine: How Geoethics Can Resolve the Conflict Between Private and Public Interests in Xenotransplantation, anticipated the need for global virus bio-surveillance and an expanded supply of transplantable organs. She is also the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Maryland Tech Council.

Dr. Rothblatt is currently the inventor and co-inventor on nine U.S. patents, with additional applications pending.

She earned her PhD in Medical Ethics with a thesis in xenotransplantation from the Royal London College of Medicine and Dentistry and earned her JD and MBA from UCLA. She also studied astronomy at the University of Maryland College Park.

About the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Now in its third century, the University of Maryland School of Medicine was chartered in 1807 as the first public medical school in the United States. It continues today as one of the fastest growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world -- with 46 academic departments, centers, institutes, and programs, and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals, including members of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, and a distinguished two-time winner of the Albert E. Lasker Award in Medical Research. With an operating budget of more than $1.2 billion, the School of Medicine works closely in partnership with the University of Maryland Medical Center and Medical System to provide research-intensive, academic, and clinically based care for nearly 2 million patients each year. The School of Medicine has more than $500 million in extramural funding, with most of its academic departments highly ranked among all medical schools in the nation in research funding. As one of the seven professional schools that make up the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine has a total population of nearly 9,000 faculty and staff, including 2,500 students, trainees, residents, and fellows. The School of Medicine, which ranks as the8th highestamong public medical schools in research productivity (according to the Association of American Medical Colleges profile) is an innovator in translational medicine, with 606 active patents and 52 start-up companies. In the latestU.S. News & World Reportranking of the Best Medical Schools, published in 2023, the UM School of Medicine isranked #10 among the 92 public medical schoolsin the U.S., and in the top 16 percent(#32) of all 192 public and privateU.S. medical schools. The School of Medicine works locally, nationally, and globally, with research and treatment facilities in 36 countries around the world. Visitmedschool.umaryland.edu

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The Initiative Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU offers the promise, although not yet the commitment, for biotechnology in the EU at the scale and vision needed for global significance. EuropaBio looks inside and to the future.

Dr Claire Skentelbery is the Director General of EuropaBio.

Ambition, vision and urgency are the calls from EuropaBio for this promising initiative. The next Commission must combine long-term vision and bold ambitions with immediate and urgent attention to resolve existing barriers to growth. The world is accelerating industrial outputs from biotechnology, and we need to move with it. EuropaBio will be a partner and champion every step of the way to deliver Europes biotech future. Dr Claire Skentelbery, Director General of EuropaBio.

Europe welcomed the Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative on March 20. It brought recognition from the EU that biotechnology is one of the major global technologies shaping our health, food, and providing an industrial footprint with innovation, sustainability and resilience. The Initiative also recognizes the main bottlenecks, regulatory fragmentation, access to finance, value chain obstacles and informed public recognition.

Finally, it recognised the economic footprint of biotechnology and its vital role within a globally competitive region. Between 2008 2021, employment growth from biotech was seven times higher than Europes average, Gross Value Added grew 1.5 times as quickly, and productivity was 2.5 times higher. Europes research has thrived within biotechnology, creating thousands of start-ups, and enabling companies of all sizes to mature economic and societal value.

Let us not be modest about what biotech achieves. Healthcare biotechnology is becoming the primary source of new therapies, bringing previously untreatable diseases within reach, and transitioning from manage to cure with increasing frequency, freeing patients, families and healthcare systems.

Industrial Biotechnology holds the key to sustainable and innovative manufacturing, delivering novel products and more sustainable replacements, reducing reliance on fossil resources including energy, relieving pressure on ecosystems and strengthening supply chains, including food production, which are essential as the world aims to both ameliorate and adapt to climate change.

From Initiative to implementation

This is not the first policy roadshow for biotechnology in Europe. Way back in 2007, the Lead Market Initiative opened with the statement Developing an innovation-driven economy is crucial for competitiveness and in 2024, whilst biotech is showing its commercial speed, the EU lags other global regions for biotech performance.

This Initiative, released in the closing days of the current Commission has to take root, grow and flower quickly. It must rapidly transform rhetoric into policy and legislation action for competitiveness, enabling innovators to thrive, and creating long-term investment into infrastructures, employment, and skills in Europe. The ambition for a Biotech Act is laudable, but there is urgency for action now. Reports tomorrow are not a substitute for progress today.

A global game is Europe a player?

Europe is late to the game in recognizing and utilising biotechnology and biomanufacturing. EuropaBio has watched global regions publish comprehensive, funded, time and target-driven strategies, with the US, China, Japan, India and the UK building from their strong science foundations. The winners of this global race for biotechnology will hold primary market positions for novel medicines, resilient local manufacturing, and global supply chains, all underpinned by high value, high employment and high skills technology. It is essential that the EU is in this race to be a player rather than a customer.

The Initiative acknowledges the importance of global dialogue, shaping biotechnology above Europe. The WHO, WTO, Convention on Biological Diversity and its Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, as well as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework are all part of a harmonised global framework for biotechnology where the EC must have a clear voice.

Call it by its name

The Initiative directly references important applications and components of biotechnology; food and feed, environmental remediation, novel and alternative molecules for application across processes and sectors, advanced healthcare, with terminology including microorganisms, enzymes, mRNA, ATMPs, biorefineries, and bio-based products. This needs to continue and expand (fermentation is notable by its absence) as part of the visibility and recognition of biotechnology for all stakeholders, including policymakers at national and European level and the citizens whom benefits already reach.

Legislation for biotechnology innovation today

Recognising biotechnology innovation should be integral to our own legislative DNA, and yet at EU and Member State levels, we are already tying our own shoelaces together:

Built for biotechnology, built for Europe

The Initiative rightly identifies regulation as a critical component for economic and societal success of such a cross-cutting frontier technology. Complex, uncertain and opaque regulatory pathways create a market pathway too slow, costly and vague for investment.

Europe needs a future-looking and cross-cutting framework built for biotechnology, recognising its unique requirements and not retrofitting its systems built for chemistry, and streamlining and removing obstacles in existing regulations.

The introduction of regulatory sandboxes and simplified, accelerated pathways to market recognising the parameters of biotechnology are core to this. Regulation must mature alongside innovation and is part of successful industrial growth from Europes strong research base. An EU Biotech Hub will also provide welcome additional support for companies in navigating the complex and often overwhelming regulatory framework in all sectors.

The Initiative importantly identifies regulatory obstacles that arise at national or other governance levels which impede an effective single market which is urgent to address now. As the Enrico Letta report comes closer to publication, there is a risk of single market fragmentation for biotechnology products and processes through lack of coherence across the EC and MS. This represents an opportunity for Europe to lead global coherence for biotechnology.

Beyond regulations, the proposed Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) review brings a much needed focus on the sustainability benefits from products through the assessment of fossil-based and bio-based products to ensure equivalence. Biomass is another vital conversation for Europe as part of the initiative, with a fundamental need for sustainable, including primary, biomass. This creates a pathway for delivery for biotechnology throughout the value chain, from innovation to market and consumer.

A framework for finance

The Initiative addresses finance but must be more ambitious for investment growth, particularly for scale up and technology maturation to market, and it must also be explicit and vocal on technologies that it seeks to champion if the EU is to lead informed and engaged public narrative. Europes investment landscape is more fragmented and conservative than other regions.

Improving the investment landscape to enable the creation, financing, and maturation of European biotech companies will contribute to the restoration of the innovation ecosystem but also other industries. The easier emerging and small biotech will find it to secure investment and partners in Europe, the more likely they will be to stay and grow in Europe.

EuropaBio will be a travelling partner for the Initiative, from its promising early days to its delivery through legislation and implementation, with success measure in ambitions achieved and benefits measured for people and planet.

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Ambition and urgency: Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU - EURACTIV

Shining a light on the illegal wildlife trade

Cameron Murray, BSc, BVMS, working with wildlife in Africa (Image Courtesy of Cameron Murray)

Away from the 4 small animal veterinary practices he co-owns, Cameron Murray, BSc, BVMS, has a strong interest in wildlife conservation. Starting with his involvement with SAVE African Rhino Foundation he is now also a director of the charity organization Nature Needs More, which is focused on demand reduction projects to diminish the illegal global wildlife trade.

Murrays passion for wildlife conservation has led him to playing a vital role in raising awareness of wildlife trafficking and educating veterinarians about how they can help make a difference. Nature Needs More works on tackling the key systemic enablers of the illegal wildlife trade, including consumer demand for wildlife products and the deficiencies in the legal trade system under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

To give an understanding of the scale of the wildlife trade on a global basis, legal trade is currently estimated to be worth as much as USD$260-320 billion annually and if you include illegal trade this may be as high as USD$500 billion. The legal trade is monitored, regulated and managed, however that the legal and illegal trade are currently functionally inseparable, and until steps are taken to modernize the management of legal trade, the issue of illegal trade will remain an unwinnable battle, Murray explained to dvm360. Through Nature Needs More, were advocating for a program of modernization of CITES. This is because the landmark Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services report of 2019, suggested that 1 million species in the world face extinction, and that direct exploitation through trade was the biggest single threat to marine species and the second largest behind habitat loss for terrestrial and fresh water species.1

Analysis of CITES wildlife trade records and published literature has revealed massive numbers of animals are traded live every year, with many presumably destined for the exotic pet market. These records highlight the staggering numbers of species caught up in the global wildlife trade, with over 500 species of birdapproximately half of which are parrots, almost 500 species of reptilemostly turtles, lizards and snakes, and over 100 species of mammalmostly carnivores and primates, said Murray. For Australia this has particular relevance for our reptiles, which can be relatively easily smuggled. Sadly, smuggling Australian native species is considered a low-risk crime and there is significant financial motivation for criminals to illegally export Australian wildlife for the overseas exotic pet trade.

fieldofvision/stock.adobe.com

A 2021 report compiled Australian seizure data and international online trade data pertaining to shingleback lizards, found that all 4 subspecies were involved in illegal trade.2 This is important as 2 of these shingleback subspecies come from very limited ranges and populations. As such, a trade of this nature poses a real threat to species survival and biodiversity loss. All of us should be concerned with regard to the issues of biodiversity loss but in addition, the trade in wildlife also raises issues around animal welfare, zoonotic disease spread, biosecurity issues and more, Murray said.

Veterinarians can play an important role by having a stronger voice for change in the trade of wildlife, and as veterinarians we are well placed to play a stronger lead in the area. We should also be aware of the fact that there is active poaching of native species and be vigilant to this possibility. We also have an opportunity to see that penalties associated with wildlife crime are more of a deterrent and finally, I would encourage everyone to look behind the management systems of wildlife trade and consider joining me in advocating for a modernization of CITES, Murray added.

After working as a veterinarian for almost a decade, Peter Lau, BSc (Hons), BVMS, MBBS, FRACP, PhD, changed his focus and graduated in human medicine in 2007 before becoming a specialist medical oncologist. Currently based at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Perth, Lau and his colleagues Jonas Nilsson PhD, and Zlatibor Velickovic, PhD, are now at the forefront of cancer research in Australia with cellular immunotherapy for human melanoma patients.

Cell therapy using Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) involves surgically removing a patients melanoma deposit, extracting out the T cells or lymphocytes which act against the cancer. We then grow those cells in a specialized laboratory expanding them to extremely high numbers in the order of billions. Patients are admitted into hospital, receive chemotherapy and then are injected with the TIL treatment which destroys the tumor. The technology for cellular immunotherapy was developed in Europe and the US but is not currently available in Australia. Our recent grant funding will go towards manufacturing this treatment for the first time in Australia, Lau explained exclusively to dvm360.

For decades metastatic melanoma has been a terrible cancer to treat but with immunotherapy such as pembrolizumab we can now literally save lives. These conventional immunotherapies dont work in all patients hence the need for new treatments like cell therapy. We do have a way to go in terms of curing everyone from the disease but cell therapy research like this can help close that gap. Its very satisfying to be at the forefront of treatment and cancer research.

Although Lau no longer works as a clinical veterinarian, he credits his early career in the veterinary profession with setting him up for success in the adjacent field of human medicine. My interest in immunology started a number of years ago listening to a talk from professor [Peter Doherty, PhD] at an Australian Veterinary Association Conference many years ago. Professor Doherty originally trained as a veterinarian and made key discoveries in how the immune system recognizes cells infected with viruses which led to a Nobel Prize. It was quiet an inspirational talk and I ended up in medicine as a result. Vet training did teach me a lot about persistence which is really needed with research, Lau said. Canine melanoma is also treated with similar drugs as we use in humans so its quite nice to see the benefit of these immunotherapies for our 4-legged friends.

VetChip, an Australian animal biotechnology company, won the 2024 Pet Care Innovation Prize, earning a cash prize and support from Purina. VetChip was 1 of 5 pet care startups from across the world that pitched their businesses to pet industry influencers and investors at the recent Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida.

The biotechnology company is dedicated to improving animal health and welfare through pioneering technology that monitors, analyses, and detects pet health issues. VetChip cofounder and veterinarian Garnett Hall, BVSc (Hons), travelled to the US for the event.

Garnett Hall, BVSc (Hons),VetChip co-founder (Image courtesy of VetChip)

"The VetChip team and I are extremely grateful for the support we have received from Purina through the Pet Care Innovation Prize. Developing technology like ours is incredibly difficult, and partnerships with leading animal health and technology companies are essential for us, said Hall exclusively to dvm360.

2024 is off to a great start, and the remainder of this year will see us commence pre-commercial trials in several of our key markets. I am looking forward to using our technology to improve the health, welfare and performance of military dogs and and performance horses before the end of the yearmore to announce soon.

VetChip has developed an innovative implantable smart microchip for animals that can monitor the animals temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and tissue oxygenation. VetChip has many applications, including in companion animal practice, for primary producers enabling better herd health management, and for in equestrian sports and horse-racing.

References

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Veterinary scene down under: Australian animal biotechnology company wins 2024 Pet Care Inno-vation Prize, and ... - DVM 360

The European Commission is to look into how to speed up approvals for biotechnology, with a view to launching an EU Biotech Act in the next mandate, executive vice president Margrethe Vestager has announced.

Europe will not be attractive to businesses worldwide if permitting and other administrative procedures take much longer than in other parts of the world, she said, presenting the Commissions biotechnology and biomanufacturing initiative on 20 March.

In the meantime, it will establish an EU biotech hub by the end of this year, to enable biotech firms to better understand existing regulation, she said. The sector is already set to benefit from streamlined permitting procedures under the Net-Zero industry Act.

Applications of biotechnology and biomanufacturing range from replacing fossil fuels, to the discovery and development of new drugs for rare diseases, and bio-based alternatives to plastic and other materials. The EU funds research in the sector predominantly through the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), and more support is needed to help innovators scale up their technologies in Europe.

Regulatory complexity is one of three key obstacles to European competitiveness the new plan aims to address, alongside access to finance, and difficulties moving from research to the market.

The Commission is promising to review its Bioeconomy Strategy by the end of 2025, which could include a stronger industrial dimension.

To help companies scale up, the Commission will advocate for the inclusion of specific challenges on biotech and biomanufacturing in the European Innovation Council (EIC) accelerator work programme for 2025.

Europe cannot remain only a fantastic cradle of ideas for the rest of the world. What is born here should also have the opportunity to grow here, Vestager said.

To support the uptake of bio-manufactured products, the Commission will conduct an impact assessment for bio-based requirements in public procurement. It will further develop methodologies to ensure a fair comparison between fossil-based and bio-based products, as the latter are usually more expensive and their environmental benefits are not always apparent to consumers.

The EU is also betting on the potential of artificial intelligence to help companies scale up their operations. The 500 million GenAI4EU initiative aims to stimulate the uptake of generative AI in industries including biotech and biomanufacturing, and the Commission wants to give biotech firms access to EuroHPC supercomputers.

We want to make Europe a global biotech leader, said Vestager. With the potential to solve some of our most pressing problems, biotechnology also largely supports Europes economy, and it provides high-quality jobs.

Biotechnology can also pose a risk due to its dual-use potential, and the Commission is working with member states to assess the risk of technology leakage.

Biomanufacturing can be used to synthetically manufacture new molecules, said Vestager. These new molecules can have basic civilian uses, to produce sustainable pest repellents for instance. They can also be used in the military to produce new fuels for missiles.

Great first step

The biotech industry welcomed the announcements, which, coming so close to the European elections, mostly amount to identifying the major challenges and promising to address them at some point in the future.

To be competitive, the bio-based industries will require further action, including a sustainable supply of biomass and more stimulating measures for market uptake, such as bio-based content requirements under the new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products regulation, said Rob Beekers, chair of the Bio-based Industries Consortium, which represents the private sector in the CBE JU.

The new EU Parliament and EU Commission should make the bioeconomy and bio-based industries a political priority. Implementing the actions proposed in this communication would be a good start, he said.

Pauline Grimmer, policy manager at international nonprofit and think tank the Good Food Institute Europe, was also pleased to see the Commission recognise the measures that are needed.

While this is a great first step, for alternative protein startups to deliver on their potential to provide future-proof jobs and green growth, we now need to see this ambition translated into firm actions such as R&D funding, support to scale-up production and provide a clear and transparent regulatory framework, she said.

Claire Skentelbery, director general of industry association EuropaBio, said the initiative shows the Commission has listened to the industrys priorities. I think it's as promising as it can be for something that is a theoretical exercise. It shows intent to pick this up in the next Commission, she told Science|Business.

Clearer and faster regulatory pathways in the US are currently a major obstacle to European competitiveness. If you've got investors within the EU, they are going to push you to launch in the US first, Skentelbery said.

While a future EU Biotech Act is a positive long-term goal, theres a lot we can do in the short term thats going to be more beneficial, she added.

For example, the Commission and member states should work together on more standardised guidance for manufacturing using industrial biotechnology, while regulatory agencies are also in need of more resources to speed up approvals.

As the focus turns to implementation in the months and years ahead, EuropaBio wants to ensure any changes benefit startups and SMEs. Because its frontier technology, it really lies with the small innovators that spin out and start up companies around scientific advances, Skentelbery said.

Link:
EU sets out plan to simplify biotech regulation and speed up approvals - Science Business

USDAs National Institute of Food and Agriculture supports a variety of programs that prioritize educating the nations future professionals for these vital sectors of the economy. A University of Connecticut Extension program, supported by a program within NIFAs Agriculture and Food Research Initiative program, is opening doors for young people in the state to pursue those types of careers.

It is great to see 4-Hers learning about agricultural biotechnology, as well as future career opportunities in the field, said Dr. Manoharan Muthusamy, acting division director for NIFAs Division of Youth and 4-H. Efforts to provide real-world learning experiences and mentorship are essential to achieve our goal of building a highly skilled and diverse workforce in the food and agricultural sciences.

Read on to learn more about one participants journey.

The following was first published by the University of Connecticut and is reprinted with permission.

A decision to join an agriculture and biotechnology program offered by UConn 4-H became a catalyst for Zuzanna Rogowski, opening the door to new opportunities and potential careers. It all started when the Middletown High School junior learned about the 4-H program through her high schools agriscience program.

I was convinced that I wanted to go into biotech and medical school, Rogowski says. When I found out about the 4-H agricultural biotech program, I thought it was a good way to determine if it would be a good career for me.

Now, she says she feels she has more options and is also considering teaching the biotech class for a high school agriscience program. I didnt know that I could teach biotech in an agriscience program, the UConn 4-H biotechnology program opened up more careers and opportunities for me.

Advancing 4-H Youth Careers in Food and Agriculture via Biotechnology and STEM is a program that UConn Extension started offering in fall 2022. Jen Cushman, associate extension educator and state 4-H program leader, created the new initiative with team members from UConn and New Mexico State University.

The program helps youth build knowledge and career awareness as they learn about how biotechnology supports crops through climate resilience, CRISPR technology, and basic lab techniques, says Cushman. Youth members discuss and learn about the evolving field of agricultural biotechnology and what scientists worldwide are studying.

The program is built on the 4-H fundamentals of belonging, mastery, independenceand generosity.

Ive learned about the opportunities I have and what I can do in the future, Rogowski says. We spoke to UConn professors and met students. The connections the club has to the different workforce areas are my favorite part. The presentations from professionals showed how many options there are.

Rogowski completed CRISPR and gene mutation research, which aligned with her interest of bringing extinct animals back. She presented her ideas to the teams from New Mexico State University and UConn in March 2023 and continues her program involvement.

Opening Doors with 4-H

Amanda Thomson is a UConn 4-H volunteer in Middlesex County and an agriscience teacher at Middletown High School. She encouraged Rogowski to join the local 4-H club during her sophomore year in addition to the 4-H agriculture and biotechnology program.

The UConn 4-H program has provided many wonderful leadership and experiential learning opportunities for our members; it helps connect our members to real-world experiences, to one another, and to adult role models. Several of our members have discovered their career pathways by participating in the 4-H program, Thomson says.

Rogowski first joined the club and became the assistant coordinator for the Home Arts department at the Middlesex-New Haven 4-H Fair.

I was covering for someone at my first Fairboard meeting and didnt know what to do. Kate Yale, a UConn 4-H volunteer, told me it would all be fine, 4-H isnt a place that judges you, she made me really comfortable. 4-H is more fun than fear, I was scared to present the committee report at first, but quickly became comfortable doing it and the fear fell away and it became fun.

Rogowski also received a scholarship from the 4-H biotechnology and agriculture program to attend Ignite by 4-H, a national conference in Washington D.C. in March of 2023. Youth apply for the trip, are interviewed, and selections are made. The inclusive teen event offers workshops and programs, and gives youth the opportunity to learn, connect and share their ideas.

It was the opportunity of a lifetime and showed me that my career path is one I will enjoy, Rogowski reflects. It also showed me that no matter where you are from, a job isnt about money or credit, its about helping people in the future while helping myself. Ignite was cool because I met so many people and was introduced to perspectives other than my own. There were youth there from Alaska, Puerto Rico, and other places. It was a reality check that not everyone lives the way you do.

Last April, she attended UConn 4-H Citizenship Day at the Capitol in Hartford and experienced different government processes and met other 4-H youth from around the state. Two encouraged her to apply for the UConn 4-H Teen Council, and in November 2023, she began her service with the group.

Through 4-H I have seen Zuzanna grow as a leader and advocate. She has developed her knowledge of STEM-related activities and careers, demonstrated confidence as a public speaker, and discover how to work effectively as a team member, Thomson continues. Being selected as a state delegate to attend the Ignite conference in Washington, D.C. was a literal game changer; as its name implies, that experience truly lit a fire in Zuzanna that has spilled over to all other aspects of her life as a student, athlete, and leader. I am excited to see where 4-H leads her next.

Rogowski wants to become a state FFA officer, apply to UConn where she plants to major in agriscience education, and become a UConn 4-H mentor and volunteer in the future. She also has plans to volunteer internationally after completing her degree.

My best memory of 4-H is becoming part of the family and having people in 4-H around me, Rogowski concludes. Theres something for everyone in UConn 4-H and its warm and welcoming. We have mechanics, crafts, archery your project can be anything you choose it to be. 4-H has a place in your life no matter your age, ethnicity and what you like to do.

Advancing 4-H Youth Careers in Food and Agriculture via Biotechnology and STEM is supported by the Food and Agriculture Nonformal Education program, grant 2022-68018-36094 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

See more here:
Exploring Ag Biotech Careers with University of Connecticut 4-H - National Institute of Food and Agriculture

With a median price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of close to 9x in the Biotechs industry in Hong Kong, you could be forgiven for feeling indifferent about Shandong Boan Biotechnology Co., Ltd.'s (HKG:6955) P/S ratio of 7.7x. However, investors might be overlooking a clear opportunity or potential setback if there is no rational basis for the P/S.

View our latest analysis for Shandong Boan Biotechnology

Shandong Boan Biotechnology could be doing better as it's been growing revenue less than most other companies lately. One possibility is that the P/S ratio is moderate because investors think this lacklustre revenue performance will turn around. However, if this isn't the case, investors might get caught out paying too much for the stock.

There's an inherent assumption that a company should be matching the industry for P/S ratios like Shandong Boan Biotechnology's to be considered reasonable.

Taking a look back first, we see that the company grew revenue by an impressive 20% last year. Still, revenue has barely risen at all from three years ago in total, which is not ideal. Accordingly, shareholders probably wouldn't have been overly satisfied with the unstable medium-term growth rates.

Turning to the outlook, the next three years should generate growth of 40% per annum as estimated by the only analyst watching the company. With the industry predicted to deliver 69% growth per annum, the company is positioned for a weaker revenue result.

With this in mind, we find it intriguing that Shandong Boan Biotechnology's P/S is closely matching its industry peers. It seems most investors are ignoring the fairly limited growth expectations and are willing to pay up for exposure to the stock. These shareholders may be setting themselves up for future disappointment if the P/S falls to levels more in line with the growth outlook.

Using the price-to-sales ratio alone to determine if you should sell your stock isn't sensible, however it can be a practical guide to the company's future prospects.

Given that Shandong Boan Biotechnology's revenue growth projections are relatively subdued in comparison to the wider industry, it comes as a surprise to see it trading at its current P/S ratio. When we see companies with a relatively weaker revenue outlook compared to the industry, we suspect the share price is at risk of declining, sending the moderate P/S lower. This places shareholders' investments at risk and potential investors in danger of paying an unnecessary premium.

You always need to take note of risks, for example - Shandong Boan Biotechnology has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

If strong companies turning a profit tickle your fancy, then you'll want to check out this free list of interesting companies that trade on a low P/E (but have proven they can grow earnings).

Find out whether Shandong Boan Biotechnology is potentially over or undervalued by checking out our comprehensive analysis, which includes fair value estimates, risks and warnings, dividends, insider transactions and financial health.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Read more:
Investor Optimism Abounds Shandong Boan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (HKG:6955) But Growth Is Lacking - Simply Wall St

The U.K. has a selection of world-class universities offering biotechnology courses, whether students are looking for undergraduate or graduate programs. The country is also home to the golden triangle, encompassing the biotech hubs of Oxford, Cambridge, and London, all of which boast some of the worlds best universities for biotechnology.

In this article, we have listed six of the top biotechnology universities in the U.K.

Known for its academic excellence, the University of Cambridge has given rise to numerous famous science graduates, including Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Stephen Hawking.

The universitys Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology offers an undergraduate course in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, which integrates the two topics together and teaches students the scientific principles that underpin them both, as well as how they can be applied to solve real-world problems.

Graduates of the course can expect to find careers such as: creating chemical and biological processes to transform molecules into valuable products; designing chemical and biological products for the benefit of society; using new technologies to facilitate the energy transition away from fossil fuels and to mitigate the effects of climate change; provision of improved healthcare and therapeutics; and using systems thinking to improve the sustainability of processes and products.

As well as the combined topic undergraduate course, the university also offers a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) specifically in Biotechnology. The program is designed to provide students with core and advanced knowledge skills, practical and research skills, and business skills in biotechnology.

To help matters further, the historic city of Cambridge itself happens to be a major biotech hub within the U.K. and is home to numerous startups and well-established companies, offering prospective graduates plenty of opportunities to get a job in the biotech industry once they leave university.

Just like the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford is world-renowned for its academic prestige and is situated in another major biotech hub in the U.K., in the historic city of Oxford.

Even more impressive is the fact that the University of Oxford helped to develop one of the first COVID-19 vaccines with AstraZeneca, which just goes to show how much of a powerhouse it is in terms of scientific research.

This U.K. university offers two undergraduate courses related to biotechnology, which are Biomedical Sciences and Biochemistry. The Biomedical Sciences program focuses on how cells, organs, and systems function in the human body, while the Biochemistry program involves learning about the use of molecular methods to investigate, explain, and manipulate biological processes.

There are also a number of graduate programs to choose from at the University of Oxford, including a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biochemistry and a Master of Science (MSc) in Biochemistry, both of which aim to train students in cutting-edge laboratory research applying techniques in bionanotechnology, biophysics, computational biology, microscopy, molecular biology, structural biology, and systems biology to a broad range of fields including cell biology, chromosome biology, drug discovery, epigenetics, host-pathogen interactions, membrane proteins, ion channels and transporters, and RNA biology.

Additionally, a PhD course is available in Interdisciplinary Bioscience, which is a four-year course supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) that provides innovative training for graduates from a life science, physical science or computational and mathematical science background who wish to conduct leading-edge bioscience research.

Another one of the most prestigious universities in the U.K., based in the nations capital, Imperial College London (ICL) runs multiple undergraduate and graduate courses related to biotechnology, and is perhaps one of the most exciting universities in the U.K. to study biotech due to the array of options available.

The university has an undergraduate course in Biotechnology, which explores the vital links between biology and technology and teaches how bioprocesses can be applied to real-world situations. During the course, students will gain hands-on lab skills, while also learning about applications, industry, and entrepreneurship. There is even an optional year abroad or a year in industry/research. As well as simply studying biotechnology on its own, students can choose to take Biotechnology with Language for Science to advance language skills, or Biotechnology with Management to develop management potential.

Other undergraduate degrees offered at ICL that could offer you a career in biotechnology include Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Molecular Bioengineering, and Biochemistry.

ICLs graduate programs include three MSc courses. One is in Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology, which will provide students with an in-depth understanding of modern bioscience research and allow them to acquire the skills necessary to pursue a career in the field. Meanwhile, the second MSc course is Engineering for Biomedicine, in which students will learn how to tackle modern healthcare challenges with bioengineering technology, and the third course is Advanced Chemical Engineering with Biotechnology, which will provide students with a firm foundation in the science and engineering of biological processes.

And, for those more interested in active research, there are four Master of Research (MRes) programs available: Biological and Physical Chemistry, in which you can tackle the multidisciplinary problems that lie between life sciences and physical sciences; Cancer Technology, in which you can develop a unique understanding of cancer from a bioengineering perspective; Chemical Biology and Bio-Entrepreneurship, whereby you can learn the skills needed to address future scientific challenges in chemical biology; and Drug Discovery and Development, in which you can build your expertise in multidisciplinary drug discovery research and explore emerging technologies.

Another one of Londons prestigious universities is University College London (UCL). It is considered one of the top universities in the U.K. for courses that combine biotechnology skills with pharmaceutical management skills.

This is because it offers an MSc in Biotech and Pharmaceutical Management that focuses on the business and management of biotechnology and pharmaceutical ventures, as well as a Drug Discovery and Pharma Management MSc, which was introduced by UCL as a spin-off from the MSc Drug Discovery in response to the increasing opportunities which now exist for research scientists who can evaluate the business potential of their science as well as generate the science itself.

There are also undergraduate courses at UCL that students can take to help them launch a career in biotechnology. The UCL Department of Biochemical Engineering offers two main undergraduate programs. These are a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Biochemical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Bioprocessing of New Medicines (Business and Management). The BEng in Biochemical Engineering fully integrates engineering and biotechnology and is ideal for those who would like to explore careers in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or bioenergy sectors, while the BSc in Bioprocessing of New Medicines is designed to give students a firm grounding in both the science of bioprocessing and the management of new emerging technologies in healthcare.

Additionally, the university offers a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Biochemical Engineering, which is a four-year program that builds upon the BEng, enabling students to gain research skills. An MSc in Biochemical Engineering is also available to take, plus postgraduates can build on this even further, and have the opportunity to complete a PhD in Biochemical Engineering, too.

The University of Edinburgh is a top biotechnology university in the U.K. and is home to the Institute of Quantitive Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, which brings together researchers from a range of backgrounds to tackle fundamental questions in biology and to develop biology-based solutions to real-world problems.

As well as offering a BSc in Biological Sciences, which gives a broad overview of the subject area, the university offers students the opportunity to specialize within Biological Sciences, including a BSc in Biological Sciences with a focus on biotechnology. In this program, students will explore areas including microbial biotechnology, genetic and cloning technologies, drug design, plant cell technology, synthetic biology, stem cells, and biological production methods.

There are also 12 other Biological Sciences degrees, with focus areas such as biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and immunology.

The university also offers an MSc specifically in Biotechnology. Here, students will learn research and development skills to enable the creation of new products and services, investigate the economic basis for current biotechnology structures and areas of future demand, including the global pharmaceutical industry and carbon sequestration, learn how technology can be applied to solve pressing real-world biological problems, and gain the skills and expertise needed for future developments in biotechnology.

Furthermore, there is the option of an MSc in Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology, in which students will have the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for developing innovative solutions and tackling the pressing global challenges we are facing, such as rapidly changing human demographics and resulting health pressures, growing demand for more and healthier food, resource shortages, and sustainable fuel transition and a cleaner environment.

The University of Manchester only offers a few biotechnology-related courses, but considering it is home to the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, it is considered one of the best universities to study biotech in the U.K.

The institute was founded in 2006 to facilitate cross-disciplinary research to develop new biotechnologies that have applications in human health, the energy economy, food security, and the environment, and currently has more than 40 research groups that lead a portfolio of pioneering research projects that continue to advance our knowledge and uses of biotechnology.

The University of Manchester offers a 3-year BSc Biotechnology undergraduate program, in which students can develop a comprehensive understanding of science, technology and business management, and collaborate with entrepreneurs on a project to develop a business plan for real life sciences products. There is also the option to do a four-year BSc program in Biotechnology with Industrial/Professional Experience, in which students can spend the third year of their degree gaining valuable work experience to enhance their CV, with a choice of placements from placements all over the world.

In terms of graduate degrees, the university provides students with the opportunity to complete an MSc in Biotechnology and Enterprise. Here, students will learn how to turn scientific discoveries into inventions and commercial products and develop research skills in biotechnology and scientific knowledge applicable to a range of careers, including working as a consultant, in business development, as a research and development manager, patent engineer and technical specialist, or continuing research in a PhD program.

Over the years, there have been numerous biotech companies that have spun out of U.K. universities, which just goes to show the quality of research being conducted at the top universities in the country. In fact, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and ICL were all recently listed as the U.K.s most prolific universities when it comes to filing patent applications and producing startup spinouts with a focus on biotech, as well as artificial intelligence (AI) and greentech. Many of the top biotechnology universities in the U.K. also have partnerships with U.K.-based biotech companies. Perhaps one of the best examples of this is biotech company Apollo Therapeutics, which has core innovation sourcing and drug discovery collaborations with the University of Cambridge, UCL, ICL, and Kings College London, allowing it to translate some of the world-leading basic biomedical research conducted in the U.K. into innovative new therapies.

Partnering 2030: The Biotech Perspective 2023

Download Inparts latest report revealing the priorities of out-licensers worldwide.

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6 biotechnology universities in the UK leading the way for future talent - Labiotech.eu

It is difficult to go even one day without hearing terms that are intended to promote efforts to protect the global environment such as carbon neutrality, SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management. To achieve the Japanese and other state governments goal of balancing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, major technological breakthroughs are needed. Professor HASUNUMA Tomohisa (applied biochemistry, metabolic engineering), Director of the Engineering Biology Research Center, is a leading researcher in biotechnology. He uses genetically engineered smart cells of yeast,E. coli, and other bacteria to efficiently produce useful substitutes for petroleum and high valueadded functional materials. We interviewed Professor HASUNUMA, who is working to construct a next-generation, cross-disciplinary biorefinery that integrates biotechnology and digital technology, about his progress in his cutting-edge research.

Professor Hasunuma, you began as a researcher when you studied fermentation engineering at university. What was your motivation to major in fermentation engineering?

Hasunuma:I first became interested in biotechnology when my high school chemistry teacher stated that the age of biotechnology would come. Those words sparked my curiosity in biotechnology and I thought, I want to study living organisms at the molecular level based on chemistry, and then apply the research results to practical applications. I entered the Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, which was the center of fermentation science in Japan, and then continued to the doctoral course. The origin of microbial biotechnology is the study of brewing and fermentation of sake, miso, soy sauce, and other fermentable products.

As a student of Osaka University and a researcher of the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE), I studied plant biotechnology for carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction and worked on topics related to CO2reduction through vegetation expansion and material production. However, advances in research take a long time because higher plants have complex structures, which include roots, trunks, leaves, and other organs. Consistent with the change in RITEs research policy, I shifted my research focus to the cellular level with an emphasis on microorganisms, which are very simple.

Then you moved to Kobe University. Tell us more about that.

Hasunuma:When I started working at Kobe University in 2008, Professor FUKUDA Hideki, the former President of Kobe University and Professor KONDO Akihiko, the first Dean of the Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, started an advanced fusion project called iBioK (Innovative BioProduction Kobe). With a grant of several billion yen over 11 years from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), iBioK brought the best researchers in Japan to Kobe University to work on research and development of biorefinery. More than a dozen companies also participated. The project involved the construction of a value chain spanning the pretreatment of biomass, breeding of microorganisms, fermentation (material production), and separation and recovery of useful substances.

Will you please explain biorefinery?

Hasunuma:Biorefinery is an environmentally friendly technology that uses plants, which are sustainable resources, as raw materials to produce alternatives to fossil fuels and petrochemical products. The core of this technology is fermentation. Consequently, practical applications are difficult to achieve without improving the function of living organisms. In fact, in the 1990s, the realization of genome analysis technology to decipher entire genetic sequences of model organisms led to the so-called biotechnology boom. This boom attracted the attention of chemical and energy companies. Although bioproduction was attempted, this boom faded around 2000 because the organisms could not be controlled as expected and costs were high. Since then, advances in genome modification technology have made it possible to precisely control microorganisms. Additionally, the Paris Agreement signed in 2015 and the SDGs adopted by the United Nations have increased the global awareness of environmental issues. Under this context, expectations for the use of biotechnology in the bioeconomy and biomanufacturing have risen.

Can you tell us about the role of your research?

Hasunuma:Practical biorefineries will not be realized unless the production efficiency of useful substances by microorganisms is increased. Therefore, the Smart Cell Project, which aimed to develop microorganisms with a maximized substance production capacity, was implemented for 5 years starting in 2016. I participated as the R&D director. With funds totaling several billion yen from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, a Japanese governmental R&D funding agency, the project united talented researchers across Japan, 16 universities, and 4 research institutes. Today, related research is ongoing and the technology is being developed.

Nowadays, it is not possible to survive the global R&D competition using only human power to manipulate, culture, and evaluate the production efficiency of genes of yeast,E. coli, etc. Advances in apparatuses that automate experiments have made it possible to develop smart cells more than ten times faster than manual work. At the end of 2021, we launched an autonomous experiment system called Autonomous Lab with Shimadzu Corporation. The Autonomous Lab integrates technologies and research results from different fields, including biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics. We call it biofoundry in an analogy to the foundries, which are semiconductor manufacturing plants. In Japan, Kobe University is the only university involved in such autonomous experimental efforts.

The biofoundry project has been selected for Kobe Universitys own Fostering Joint International Research.* You will be working on joint research with universities in the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, China, Singapore, Taiwan, South Africa, and other countries. Can you tell us more about this project?

Hasunuma:The lab covers broad research themes as many things have yet to be understood. For example, how do smart cells grow and respond to environmental stresses? It is important to collaborate with researchers around the world to absorb missing knowledge and bolster our research. Due to the global presence of Kobe University, leading researchers from around the world are motivated to work with us. We will pursue research outcomes that cannot be achieved by Japanese researchers alone through international joint research.

You have founded a university-originating startup company with the aim of practical applications of research results, namely social implementation. Tell us more about this company.

Hasunuma:Yes, I am a technical advisor to Bacchus Bio Innovation, which I started with the encouragement of management experts at the Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University. Early-stage research is carried out at the university, but when the path to commercialization becomes clear, the research is handed over to Bacchus. For example, once highly efficient smart cells have been developed at the laboratory level, Bacchus will cultivate these smart cells in large quantities and deploy them in companies engaged in industrial production. We hope to achieve bio-first production, in which microorganisms are used to create not only petrochemical products such as fuels and plastics, but also cosmetics, supplements, and various other substances.

With the biofoundry in a full-scale operation, research is expected to accelerate. What are some of your mid- to long-term goals?

Hasunuma:As a researcher, I would like to clarify the reaction mechanisms occurring in living cells and to accurately understand metabolic mechanisms and other processes at the molecular level. As an engineer, I would like to develop technologies that can be linked to actual manufacturing and share the results of my research with the world.

Most importantly, we need to train more researchers in this field. There are not enough researchers who are familiar with both biotechnology and digital technology. In addition, there are not enough biotech researchers interested in robotics. Not only would I like to foster young researchers in these cross-disciplinary fields, but also like for them to gain international experience and expand their personal networks with overseas researchers. Executive Vice President KONDO guided me personally and cultivated my skills. Now, I have built a network of contacts with a variety of people, including those overseas. I believe that it is important to share such experiences with the next generation. Since it is crucial to integrate a wide range of research, I would like Kobe University to become an international center where talented individuals can gather to create a unique network of individuals whom we have fostered.

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Bioengineering to achieve carbon neutrality - EurekAlert

The White House has launched the National Bioeconomy Board to work with public and private sectors to advance national security, competitiveness, economic productivity and sustainability through biotechnology and biomanufacturing.

The Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Department of Defense and the Department of Commerce co-chair the board, which includes representatives from nine additional federal agencies and departments, including the Department of Health and Human Services, NASA and the National Science Foundation, the White House said Friday.

The creation of the board is part of President Joe Bidens Investing in America agenda.

The boards efforts will complement the administrations implementation of the bioeconomy executive order signed in September 2022.

Some of the actions are the release of a lexicon by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to support risk assessments of the bioeconomy, the launch of an action plan to broaden biotechnology and biomanufacturing education and job training programs in the U.S. and the publication of a report on the establishment of a resilient biomass supply by the Department of Agriculture.

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White House Unveils National Bioeconomy Board - Executive Gov