2015 BIO Investor Forum Buzz of BIO Winners Announced

Recognizing highly innovative companies in the biotech sector

Washington, D.C. (September 9, 2015) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 BIO Investor Forum Buzz of BIO contest, which recognizes highly innovative companies in the biotech sector. Taking place October 20-21, 2015 at the Parc 55 Hotel in San Francisco, California, the 14^th Annual BIO Investor Forum will focus on investment opportunities for early stage and established private companies as well as emerging public companies.

“This year’s Buzz of BIO winners exemplify the diversity of companies and cutting-edge technologies present at our annual BIO Investor Forum,” said Jim Greenwood, BIO President & CEO. “I am proud to feature these companies as our Buzz of BIO winners and provide them with the exposure and connections that come with presenting at the BIO Investor Forum.”

The Buzz of BIO at the BIO Investor Forum competition featured 19 nominees pulling in over 3,000 votes. The winners are:

Winner: Early Stage Entrepreneurs

Whole Biome (San Francisco, California)

Whole Biome is a laboratory/computational platform company with technology capable of generating and analyzing the huge volumes of genomic and phenotypic data necessary to elucidate the functional components of the human microbiome. By targeting novel symbiotic functionality inherent in the human-microbial interface, Whole Biome has identified multiple therapeutic targets for: metabolic disease, atopic dermatitis, and pre-term labor. Whole Biome’s flagship microbiome therapeutic for type II diabetes has shown promising preclinical data and is anticipated to be tested in humans in 2016

Winner: Late Stage Leaders

Cold Genesys (Santa Ana, California)

Cold Genesys is a clinical-stage company focusing on the development of oncolytic viruses and immunotherapies for cancer. In 2010, Cold Genesys acquired the rights to develop CG0070 from BioSante Pharmaceuticals. A phase I/IIa dose escalating clinical trial has already been completed in 35 patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). With the promising results from the phase I study, Cold Genesys is currently investigating the company’s first oncolytic virus product, CG0070, in a phase II pivotal, single-arm clinical study with the FDA for NMIBC patients who have failed BCG therapy and refused cystectomy. In addition, Cold Genesys is exploring the use of CG0070 in combination with immune checkpoint modulators (ICMs) in various solid tumors.

Winners receive one complimentary registration to the BIO Investor Forum, a complimentary Company Presentation and promotion to industry leaders including a spotlight in BioCentury Extra.

Over 100 companies are expected to present at this year’s event. New presenters are continuously being added. For updates on the list of presenting companies, please visit here. If you are interested in becoming a presenter, please submit an application here. The typical audience for company presentations features public, institutional and private equity investors, research analysts, investment bankers and industry executives. 

Building on the success of the Buzz of BIO competition at the BIO International Convention, BIO will host a similar competition for the BIO CEO & Investor Conference, February 8-9, 2016 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, New York.

To learn more about the BIO Investor Forum, including registration, program and partnering information, please visit here. Media registration is now open for qualified members of the press.

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