NEW ORLEANS (April 24, 2024) – The New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC) is excited to announce the relaunch of the annual
BioChallenge pitch competition to be held Oct. 31. The competition
invites entrepreneurs and startups to showcase their groundbreaking ideas and
technologies, positioning them for success in bringing to market the next
generation of health security solutions. The challenge is poised to ignite
biotech innovation and enhance equitable and accessible preparedness and
response in New Orleans and beyond.
As a
member of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Accelerator Network since
2018, NOBIC is excited to focus this year’s challenge around the mission to
develop medical countermeasures that address the public health and medical
consequences of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN)
accidents, incidents and attacks, pandemic influenza and emerging infectious
diseases.
“We
are thrilled to launch the 2024 BioChallenge, a NOBIC signature event that has
produced many local and national success stories. This year, we are especially
excited to see the innovative solutions focusing on access and equity that our
finalists will bring to the forefront,” said Kris Khalil, executive director,
New Orleans BioInnovation Center and managing director, BioFund.
“The
BioChallenge is not just a competition; it’s a platform for breakthrough ideas
that have the potential to revolutionize our nation’s health security posture.
We’re looking forward to showcasing the talent and ingenuity of our
community,” said Patrick Norton, NOBIC board chair
The BioChallenge pitch competition
will be held at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center in downtown New Orleans Oct.
31, following BIO on the BAYOU, an academic
biotechnology research symposium.
Past winners of the BioChallenge
include local biotech trailblazers such as Axosim, Junum, Obatala Sciences and
BioAesthetics. This year’s winners’ total prize pool, supported by multiple
stakeholders, is over $100,000 and growing.
Sign up to learn more at: www.neworleansbio.com/biochallenge.
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Editor’s note: Link
to digital assets here.
About New Orleans BioInnovation Center: The New Orleans BioInnovation Center (“NOBIC”) is a nonprofit business
incubator focused on advancing life science entrepreneurship and technology
commercialization in Louisiana. The mission of NOBIC is to create a successful
biotech ecosystem by providing emerging companies with customized
commercialization services, premier facilities, and a comprehensive support
network. Through relationships with research institutions, economic development
organizations, and industry stakeholders, NOBIC helps its clients de-risk novel
technologies, attract funding, and improve global health outcomes. For more
information, visit neworleansbio.com/.
About BIO on the BAYOU: BIO on the BAYOU, the
premier biotechnology conference for the broader Gulf South region spotlights
cutting-edge biotech advancements from universities and start-ups located in
Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Puerto Rico. Notable presenters included
Dr. Monica Embers of Tulane University, who discussed a new diagnostic platform
for improved Lyme disease testing, and Dr. Michael Dunham of LSU Health New
Orleans, who described his novel tumor margin device. Multiple academic
startups also presented, including BioAesthetics, Chosen Diagnostics,
Informuta, and PainVox.