BIO 2015 International Convention Everyday Superhero Honorees Announced
Recognizing Biotech Champions in the Patient, Industry and Academic Communities
Washington, D.C. (June 17, 2015) – Today, the 2015 BIO International Convention announced the top Honorees in the association’s Everyday Superhero contest, recognizing biotech leaders in the patient, industry and academic communities whose accomplishments are helping those battling debilitating and chronic disease. Honorees were chosen from one of three categories: Patient/ Patient Group, Pharma/ Biotech and University Research Institutions.
“The biotechnology industry is filled with countless superheroes—they are the inspiring patients, academics and industry researchers like the individuals who we are proud to honor today,” said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. “These real everyday superheroes have helped to advance groundbreaking new therapies and technologies. We are thankful to all of our nominees and their unwavering dedication to using biotechnology to heal, feed and fuel the world.”
Patient/Patient Group Category
The Patient/ Patient Group Category recognizes individuals who have raised awareness for a specific patient community through their own personal journey or advocacy efforts.
Top Honoree: Emily Whitehead, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Survivor. At only six years old, Emily was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and after several years of treatment, her family was told they were out of options. As a final hope, Emily was enrolled in an immunotherapy clinical trial where she became the first pediatric patient to receive genetically modified T-cells that were trained to identify and kill cancer cells. The treatment worked and her story made national headlines. The news helped focus public attention on the potential for immunotherapy to transform cancer treatment and the importance of supporting lifesaving cancer research.
Pharma/Biotech Category
The Pharma/ Biotech Category recognizes employees in the life science industry who have been instrumental in advancing therapies for patients.
Top Honoree: Bernard Muller, Founder & Chief Business Officer, Treeway. Bernard calls himself Patient 3.0. He was diagnosed with ALS and took it as a challenge. In 2012, he co-founded the world’s largest genetic research project for ALS, project MinE. That same year, he also launched a biotech company with the aim of finding a cure or therapy for ALS. His company, Treeway, is now entering Phase 3 clinical trials with its lead product candidate.
University/Research Institutions Category
The University/Research Institutions Category recognizes researchers or scientists in academia who have been instrumental in researching or advancing therapies for patients. Top Honoree: Sanjay Balkrishna Jadhao, Associate Professor and Senior Scientist, Central Institute of Fisheries Education Mumbai. An expert in agriculture, animals and aquaculture, Sanjay has made it his mission to help India’s undernourished population, approximately 190 million people, by transforming the food and agriculture ecosystem.
The top honorees were chosen by a majority vote and announced during the keynote at BIO’s 2015 International Convention. You can find out more about them by visiting http://convention.bio.org/superhero
Upcoming BIO Events
BIO International Convention
June 15-18, 2015
Philadelphia, PA
World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology
July 19-22, 2015
Montréal, Canada