Betting Big on Innovation in the Desert with BioHealth Las Vegas
Release Date: 10/26/2025
Crab Trap Winner Spotlight: Perfusion Medical's Mission Against Hemorrhagic Shock
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, CEO Gerard Eldering explains how Perfusion Medical is addressing a problem that trauma physicians and military medics have been struggling with for decades: capillary compression. Perfusion Medical is developing a drug aimed at treating hemorrhagic shock and other ischemic conditions. PM‑208 is a novel IV therapeutic designed to restore capillary blood flow, resolve ischemia, and protect vital organs. The team has advanced this work with $19 million in Department of Defense funding. He describes the scale of the unmet need, why PM‑208 is both organ- and...
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Betting Big on Innovation in the Desert with BioHealth Las Vegas
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis sits down with Councilman Brian Knudsen, Jamie Schwartz of UNLV, and Vance Farrow from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development to spotlight the rapid emergence of Southern Nevada as a rising force in the biohealth landscape. The conversation covers the launch of the $10 million BioHealth Innovation Challenge, the Desert Forge Venture Fund, and the revitalization of BioTech Vegas, all designed to attract industry anchors, fuel early-stage startups, and cultivate a thriving innovation ecosystem. They also explore how strong collaboration...
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Maryland’s Economic Vision for BioHealth with Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr.
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Harry Coker, Jr., Secretary of the Maryland Department of Commerce, joins the podcast to discuss Maryland’s rising momentum as a global biohealth and technology leader. Secretary Coker shares his unique journey from the CIA, NSA, and White House to leading Maryland’s economic development strategy, highlighting the state’s strengths in life sciences, its appeal to global investors, and the importance of public-private partnerships in accelerating innovation. Topics include Maryland’s recent recognition as a Top 3 biopharma hub, the...
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Building Maryland’s BioHealth Future: Maryland Commerce’s Stefanie Trop on Growing the Life Sciences Sector
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
Building Maryland’s BioHealth Future: Maryland Commerce’s Stefanie Trop on Growing the Life Sciences Sector In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Stefanie Trop, Ph.D., Director of Life Sciences at the Maryland Department of Commerce joins the conversation to discuss Maryland’s position as a leading life sciences hub. Stefanie shares how the Department of Commerce supports company attraction and growth through programs like Global Gateway, and how it’s amplifying the state’s recent #3 biopharma hub ranking. The discussion also explores Maryland’s unique ecosystem, including...
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Inside FNIH: Dr. Stacey Adam on Smarter, Human-Based Research
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis welcomes Dr. Stacey Adam, Vice President of Science Partnerships, Translational Science at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), to discuss how public-private partnerships are advancing scientific innovation. Dr. Adam introduces the mission of FNIH and its unique role in bridging government, industry, and academia to accelerate biomedical progress. She highlights the Validation and Qualification Network (VQN), a new initiative working to overcome barriers to the adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and explains how...
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Reimagining Gene and Cell Therapy: Helen Sabzevari on Precigen’s Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis welcomes Dr. Helen Sabzevari, President and CEO of Precigen, to discuss the company’s cutting-edge science in gene and cell therapy. Dr. Sabzevari shares how Precigen’s unique AdenoVerse® platform has powered the development of PRGN-2012, a potential first-in-class therapeutic currently under FDA priority review for the treatment of adults with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), a rare and devastating disease. She also highlights advances across Precigen’s broader pipeline in immuno-oncology and autoimmune disease and...
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Decentralizing Discovery: Lara Mangravite and the Mission of Digitalis Commons
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, Lara Mangravite, PhD, Executive Director of Digitalis Commons, joins the conversation to explore how scientific research is shifting in the U.S.—from centralized, institutional models to a more decentralized, innovation-driven landscape. She shares the mission of Digitalis Commons and explains how the organization is working at the intersection of technology, research, and public good to address systemic barriers in health and healthcare. Drawing from her recent article, "Notes on Catalyzing Health," Lara discusses the growing role of independent...
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Inside CTMC: Amy Hay on Reshaping Cell and Gene Therapy
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, Amy C. Hay, Chief Business and Strategy Officer at the Cell Therapy Manufacturing Center (CTMC), joins the conversation to explore the evolving landscape of cell and gene therapy. Amy shares insights from her extensive career in oncology care and innovation, highlighting the role CTMC—a joint venture between National Resilience and MD Anderson Cancer Center—is playing in accelerating the transition from discovery to commercialization. She discusses the current state of the industry, what disruption really means in this context, and how new business models can...
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Decoding Federal Dollars: Grant Engine CEO Sam Tetlow on the Evolving Biohealth Funding Map
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, Sam Tetlow, Founder and CEO of Grant Engine, joins the conversation to unpack how companies can successfully navigate the rapidly changing world of non-dilutive funding. With continued resolutions, shifting agency priorities, and evolving leadership at HHS and beyond, 2025 presents both new hurdles and new opportunities for biotech and health innovators. Sam shares actionable insights on what’s changed under the current administration, where funding gaps exist, and how early-stage companies can align proposals with both individual program officers and federal...
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Banking with Heart: Rick Wieczorek on Financial Solutions for the Biohealth Community
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, we welcome Rick Wieczorek, President and CEO of the NIH Federal Credit Union (NIHFCU), to discuss how credit unions like NIHFCU are uniquely positioned to support the biohealth and healthcare communities. With over 40 years of industry experience, Rick shares his journey from teller to CEO and reflects on NIHFCU’s 85-year history, its mission-driven approach to service, and the importance of tailoring financial solutions to meet the needs of life science professionals. He also explains the benefits of membership, the value of the NIHFCU "At Work" program for...
info_outlineIn this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis sits down with Councilman Brian Knudsen, Jamie Schwartz of UNLV, and Vance Farrow from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development to spotlight the rapid emergence of Southern Nevada as a rising force in the biohealth landscape. The conversation covers the launch of the $10 million BioHealth Innovation Challenge, the Desert Forge Venture Fund, and the revitalization of BioTech Vegas, all designed to attract industry anchors, fuel early-stage startups, and cultivate a thriving innovation ecosystem. They also explore how strong collaboration between local and state government, academic institutions, and entrepreneurs is propelling Las Vegas into a new era of health innovation, with a focus on brain health, sports science, and workforce development.
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant: thepodcastconsultant.com
Councilman Brian Knudsen was elected to represent Ward 1 in 2019 and re-elected in 2024, continuing his long-standing commitment to public service and community-building in Las Vegas. On December 21, 2022, he was named Mayor Pro Tem. Brian has been instrumental in driving the transformation of the Las Vegas Medical District and expanding public health infrastructure throughout the city. He serves on several boards, including the Southern Nevada Health District and the Regional Transportation Commission, and is a vocal advocate for policies that strengthen healthcare, public safety, and inclusive economic development.
Jamie Schwartz, MBA, is Director of Industry Engagement at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Office of Economic Development and President of the Board for BioTech Vegas. With deep experience in public-private partnerships and academic-industry collaboration, she works at the intersection of research, innovation, and commercialization to strengthen Southern Nevada’s biotech and health innovation landscape.
Vance Farrow serves as the Healthcare Industry Specialist for the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development. His work focuses on attracting and expanding healthcare businesses throughout the state, aligning talent development efforts, and building the infrastructure needed to support a robust biohealth sector. He plays a critical role in shaping state policy and investment strategies for the industry.