Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF)

The 3rd Annual Cell & Gene Therapy Symposium, hosted by Children's National Hospital, brought together some of the brightest minds working to turn scientific breakthroughs into real-world therapies. From the developments in manufacturing to AI-driven development to meaningful discussions on access and equity, every session reminded us that progress in CGT doesn’t happen in silos - it happens through collaboration. Great to see the region continuing to lead from the lab to the clinic. Big thanks to Patrick Hanley, Ph.D. and the entire team for creating a thoughtful forward looking event. MaxCyte, Inc., Emily Powsner #CellAndGeneTherapy #BiotechInnovation #TranslationalMedicine #ChildrensNational #MarylandBiotech

🧠 Scientists have developed stem cell-based 3D human brain models that could revolutionize how neurological diseases are studied. The miBrains platform recreates key features of real brain tissue, offering a more accurate way to test drugs and study disorders like Alzheimer’s. This breakthrough moves neuroscience beyond traditional lab and animal models, bringing us one step closer to truly personalized medicine. 🌍✨ See more: https://lnkd.in/eQDqwExm #Neuroscience #StemCells #BrainResearch #RegenerativeMedicine #Innovation #Biotech #FutureOfMedicine

Maryland isn’t just home to stem cell ideas - it’s where they become businesses. Through MSCRF’s Commercialization grant program, we’ve invested $1.6M this cycle to help Maryland-based companies translate science into scalable therapies that reach patients. Congrats to our awardees: ⚙️ RoosterBio Inc. - Scaling EV production bioprocesses from iPSCs ❄️ HOHcells - Breaking barriers in cryopreservation with FreezOpt 🦴 Theradaptive - Engineering bioactive titanium to improve orthopedic hardware 🧩 Stemora Inc - Advancing skeletal stem cell therapies for cartilage regeneration Through its commercialization grant program, MSCRF has built Maryland into a regenerative medicine hub - helping local companies bridge the toughest gap: moving discoveries from the lab to the marketplace. 🚀 With each cycle, we’re fueling jobs, startups, and life-changing therapies right here in Maryland. Jon Rowley, Greg Merril, Luis Alvarez, Srujana C. #FromLabToMarket #MarylandInnovation #RegenerativeMedicine #HealthcareInnovation

As part of its first funding cycle of FY’26, MSCRF is investing nearly $1.5M to strengthen Maryland’s stem cell manufacturing ecosystem - helping companies scale up production and bring therapies to patients faster. 🏭Manufacturing Assistance Grant Awardees include: - Nanochon (Baltimore, MD) received a grant to build clinical production capacity for its Chondrograft, a 3D-printed implant designed for minimally invasive knee cartilage repair, which is preparing to enter its first in-human clinical trial.  - REPROCELL (Beltsville, MD) is expanding a centralized GMP CDMO and iPS-derived neural glial cells manufacturing platform, enhancing Maryland’s growing infrastructure for cell therapy production. The state of the art manufacturing facility positions Reprocell to support stem cell researchers in both Maryland and beyond. 💡MSCRF investments have generated $525M+ in economic activity, supported 2,000+ high-quality jobs, and solidified Maryland as a national leader in stem cell innovation and biomanufacturing. #MSCRF #CellTherapy #GeneTherapy #Biomanufacturing #RegenerativeMedicine #MarylandInnovation #EconomicGrowth

At MSCRF, we don’t just fund projects - we power ideas. In our first funding cycle of 2026, we invested $1.75M through our Launch program to support first-time and first-in-field investigators, giving them the runway to test bold ideas in stem cell science. This cycle we’re backing: ✨ Herana Kamal Seneviratne, Ph.D. (UMBC) - Using stem cells to model drug-induced neurotoxicity ✨ Steven Hsu (JHU) - Exploring mechanisms of contractile dysfunction in heart failure ✨ Soojung Hur (JHU) - Developing label-free sorting for glaucoma research ✨ Yuchuan Miao (JHU) - Illuminating segmentation disorders with stem cell-derived embryo models ✨ Seunghyun Lee (JHU) - Designing new strategies for cardiac laminopathy The Launch program is how MSCRF ensures Maryland continues to seed the next generation of stem cell leaders - empowering young investigators to build traction that can carry them into commercialization and beyond. #StemCellResearch #MarylandBiotech #EarlyCareerScientists #LifeSciences #Innovation

Stem Cell Awareness Day was October 8 - but at MSCRF, the mission never stops. From discovery to clinical breakthroughs, stem cell science is rebuilding tissues and restoring hope for patients around the world. 🌍❤️ With 700+ funded projects across 50+ disease areas, MSCRF is proud to accelerate stem cell innovation from bench to bedside - right here in Maryland, a growing hub for regenerative medicine. Ruchika Nijhara, Ben Antebi #StemCellAwarenessDay #MSCRF #RegenerativeMedicine #StemCellTherapy #lifescienes #MarylandInnovation

Join MSCRF for the panel “Navigating the Road to Clinical Trials in Regenerative Medicine” on October 21 at The Hotel at the University of Maryland.   This session will bring together leading experts from academia and industry to discuss how novel therapies advance from the bench to the clinic.   Don’t miss this valuable discussion shaping the future of clinical development in the stem cells and regenerative medicine field in Maryland! Exciting things are happening at the upcoming 2025 Entrepreneur Expo!    Ben Antebi, Djordje Atanackovic, Luis Alvarez, Samson Tom, Luis Garza #MSCRF #EntrepreneurExpo #MarylandInnovation #ClinicalTrials #RegenerativeMedicine #Biotech #StemCellResearch #Maryland

Join MSCRF for a panel on October 21 exploring how AI is accelerating discovery, lowering costs, and expanding patient access in stem cell research. Leading voices from academia and industry will share real-world insights and discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead.   Don’t miss this chance to hear directly from the innovators shaping the future of regenerative medicine! Learn more about this session here: https://lnkd.in/eQxGQ2Wi Register today at https://lnkd.in/efTzHafr Ruchika Nijhara, Daniel Lobo, Miroslaw Janowski, Fan Wu, Brian Jamieson, Prem Umang S. #AI #RegenerativeMedicine #Innovation #MSCRF #Maryland #StemCellResearch

MSCRF Allocates $4.7M in Stem Cell Grant Awards! 🧬💥 The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF), through its Commission, has awarded $4.7 million in stem cell research grants. These investments will empower Maryland-based companies and researchers to accelerate breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, drive innovation, and bring hope to patients through transformative therapies. Ranging from over $1 million in early-stage discovery grants to nearly $3 million to Maryland companies for clinical translation and manufacturing, these grants highlight MSCRF’s deep commitment to advancing innovation and improving lives while strengthening Maryland’s bioeconomy. 🔥 Congratulations to all the trailblazers leading the way! Nanochon, REPROCELL, RoosterBio Inc., Theradaptive, Stemora Inc, HOH Cells, Nathan Castro, Benjamin Holmes, Rama Modali, Herana Kamal Seneviratne, Ph.D., Steven Hsu, SJ. Claire Hur, Yuchuan Miao, Seunghyun Lee, Jon Rowley, Luis Alvarez, Srujana C., Greg Merril Ruchika Nijhara, Ben Antebi #MSCRF #StemCell #innovation #MarylandInnovation #RegenerativeMedicine #Biomanufacturing #lifesciences #Tedco

Maryland Stem Cell Symposium is back this October! 📅 October 16–17, 2025 | The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Tilghman Auditorium & Turner Concourse) We’re excited to share that registration and abstract submissions are now OPEN for the 2nd Maryland Stem Cell Symposium & Workshop, co-hosted by Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF), Institute for Cell Engineering (JHU), and the University of Maryland School of Medicine. This year’s program will feature: 🔑 Keynotes on cutting-edge stem cell & regenerative medicine 🌟 Spotlight on MSCRF-funded research across Maryland institutions 🎓 Oral & poster sessions featuring trainees and rising leaders 🧬 Topics from stem cell isolation to engineered transplants & gene therapies 🏆 Awards + networking opportunities for all Trainees & Young Investigators: Don’t miss the chance to present your work. 🗓️ Abstract deadlines: • Sept 22 – Oral presentation consideration • Oct 12 – Poster submissions 👉 Registration & abstract submission link in the comments Ruchika Nijhara, Ben Antebi