The fourth annual Technology Showcase is making a big pivot this year, moving to an entirely virtual event on September 9, 2020. Although the move was made out of necessity, it also offers exciting new opportunities to reach more partners and licensees beyond Frederick, Md.
The event, which runs from noon to 5:15 pm, is itself a successful collaboration, being co-sponsored by NCI, Frederick National Laboratory, the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, and the Maryland Technology Development Corporation.
All of the showcase content that attendees have come to expect—a keynote, a variety of educational panels, technology sessions, lightning technology pitches, and a poster session—will be available in the new virtual format.
“Since its inception, the Tech Showcase has grown in size, content, and importance to Frederick National Laboratory, NCI, and the external research and entrepreneurial communities,” said Vladimir Popov, director of the Frederick National Laboratory’s Partnership Development Office. “A virtual version of Tech Showcase opens it up to everyone, not just regional attendees. We are looking forward to ‘seeing’ our attendees in our virtual sessions in a few weeks.”
This year’s lineup includes nearly a dozen technologies developed at NCI and the Frederick National Laboratory, which will be presented by the inventors. Representatives from the NCI Technology Transfer Ambassadors Program will show additional technologies available for licensing or collaboration via rapid pitches and poster sessions. Chris McDonald, vice president of manufacturing for Kite Pharma, will deliver the keynote. Kite recently built a new cell therapy manufacturing facility in Frederick.
“The awareness and outreach provided by the Technology Showcase means that regional and state stakeholders now understand they can turn to NCI and Frederick National Laboratory when looking for a subject matter expert for collaboration to overcome a technology hurdle,” said Michael Salgaller, supervisor of the Invention Development and Marketing Unit, NCI Technology Transfer Center. “They can engage NCI and Frederick National Laboratory when looking to license an innovation to bolster their pipeline.”
Biotechnology collaboration is more important than ever, and the Technology Showcase offers an important venue to foster technology licensing and collaborations that can help translate NCI discoveries into new research tools and therapies.
“The Technology Showcase has been a valuable collaboration between NCI’s numerous federal laboratories, the State of Maryland, and our local economic development offices,” explained Walter Hubert, scientific program director for the NCI Office of Scientific Operations. “From the beginning, our five co-sponsoring stakeholders have participated enthusiastically and freely shared their resources. Even the challenges of a virtual meeting now are not diminishing the optimism and confidence our founding organizations are placing into this event. Our inventions and technology development efforts will go far with partners like these.”
Learn more and register for free on the event webpage.