Poster session during the 2019 Technology Showcase. (SPGM archive)
The National Cancer Institute and Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research will hold the annual Technology Showcase on Wednesday, Sept. 7 in a hybrid format to welcome in-person attendees as well as remote participants from around the United States and the world. The event is scheduled from noon to 5:30 pm ET at the FNL’s Advanced Technology Research Facility in Frederick, Md.
“We’re excited to offer this event in a format that allows face-to-face networking opportunities while still enabling attendance for those far outside the Frederick region,” said Vladimir Popov, Ph.D., director of the FNL Partnership Development Office. “The new format fits with the FNL’s mission to be both a local and global resource, while at the same time it accommodates the current health situation and people’s comfort levels.”
Panels, Pitches, and More
Whether joining in person or from home, attendees will have the opportunity to attend a variety of panel discussions, posters, pitches, and technology presentations at the event. NCI Acting Director Douglas R. Lowy, M.D., will give the keynote address, which will focus on how technology transfer is a critical aspect of the NCI mission.
Over the past five years, the Tech Showcase has highlighted more than 100 technologies developed by NCI and FNL scientists. All the technologies presented, which include cancer therapeutics, vaccine systems, and nanotechnologies, are available for licensing and/or collaboration.
In addition to the technologies, the event will feature panel discussions on topics important to entrepreneurs, such as on how to tap into FNL resources, how to work with the NCI, and opportunities for financial investment and funding from sources such as angel investors, the Small Business Innovation Research program, TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation), and non-traditional funding sources.
“The Technology Showcase is a unique, amazing opportunity to learn how the NCI facilitates pipelines and bottom lines,” said Michael Salgaller, Ph.D., supervisor of the Technology Analysis and Marketing Unit, NCI Technology Transfer Center. “Bringing so many Maryland stakeholders together in one place expedites addressing unmet medical needs in ways that did not previously exist.”
Supporting the Biotech Community
The Tech Showcase is free and open to the public, and registration is required. It brings together a wide range of biotech companies, entrepreneurs, investors, academics and regional economic development groups. The event co-sponsors include the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer, and TEDCO—in addition to the NCI and FNL.
“The event has evolved since its inception, changing each year, based on the feedback, to better fit the needs of the community,” Popov said. “We look forward to seeing new and returning faces each year. If you’ve never been before, this is a great year to start.”
Victoria Brun is a partnership project manager in the Frederick National Laboratory Partnership Development Office, where she provides project management support across the office’s broad portfolio of collaborative projects. The Partnership Development Office establishes the partnerships and collaborations among Frederick National Laboratory scientists and external researchers in government, academia, industry, and the nonprofit research sector.
