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The International Partnership for Microbicides in Silver Spring said it has received $130 million in grants from the U.K. Department for International Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to reinforce its global commitment to address the HIV epidemic in women.
The two grants will support efforts to develop microbicides that help women prevent HIV infection. Globally, 7,000 new cases of HIV infection and almost 6,000 AIDS-related deaths occur each day, according to the nonprofit's information. Microbicides are topical products being developed to prevent HIV transmission during sexual intercourse.
"We applaud the U.K. government and the Gates Foundation for their continued commitment to women's health and HIV prevention research," said CEO Zeda Rosenberg in a statement.
Former Marriott VP Thomas Ladd, 73, dies
Thomas Ladd, a retired Marriott International senior vice president for government affairs, died Sunday "after a courageous battle against cancer," the Bethesda hotel company announced.
Ladd, 73, who served on the boards of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Montgomery College and the Strathmore Hall Foundation, and was chairman of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, retired from Marriott in 2007 to spend more time with his family at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Tom Ladd," said J.W. Marriott Jr., chairman and CEO, in a statement. "He was not only a dear friend and an incredible asset to Marriott, he was an engaged partner in Montgomery County and enjoyed many leadership roles with business, nonprofit, and educational allies in our community. He will truly be missed"
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Montgomery College Foundation, Tom Ladd Scholarship Fund, Montgomery College, attention Nell Kane, 900 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD 20850.
Champions Biotechnology moves to Baltimore
Champions Biotechnology has relocated its East Coast operations from Arlington, Va., and taken space for six employees, initially, at the Science+Technology Park at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Company officials said it moved to be near Johns Hopkins, home to the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and to some of the world's top researchers in its medical school. Champions develops preclinical platforms to enhance and accelerate the value of oncology drugs. It also offers physicians tumor-specific data for personalized patient care, permitting the evaluation of oncology drugs in models that integrate prognostic testing with biomarker discovery, according to Champions information.
David Sidransky, professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins, is Champions chairman.
Montgomery County kicks off annual mentorship program
Montgomery County kicked off its annual small-business mentorship program this week with an event recognizing graduates and volunteers. The program began in 1991 to pair new business executives with seasoned business owners to help the companies grow.
Among companies involved are Lockheed Martin, Sodexo, Marriott International and The Success Zone. Donald Moragne, managing principal of the latter Silver Spring business, was in the inaugural class of the program in 1991 and has been a mentor himself each year since.
Panacos closes Gaithersburg facility
Panacos Pharmaceuticals of Watertown, Mass., is exploring strategic alternatives, including its sale, and is closing its Gaithersburg facility, reducing its work force from 11 to four.
"The company is taking these actions to help conserve capital as we continue to investigate potential financing and partnering options," said Alan W. Dunton, president and CEO, in a statement. "The goal is to maximize the likelihood that Panacos' proprietary antiviral programs, technology and intellectual property will continue to be developed and commercialized, ultimately providing new treatment options for HIV patients."
Vanda replies to dissident shareholder
Vanda Pharmaceuticals of Rockville has responded to a shareholder's move to shake up its board and liquidate the company.
Vanda executives said the current board has the knowledge to implement the company's business plan.
"The board is disappointed that Tang Capital has opted to conduct an election contest, particularly when the company is so close to receiving a response from the [Food and Drug Administration] regarding its lead compound, iloperidone. Instead of working with us to maximize stockholder value, Tang Capital has chosen to create unnecessary costs and distractions for the company at this important time," said Brian K. Halak, chairman of the board's nominating-corporate governance committee, in a statement.
Suitland Manor plans put on hold
The Prince George's County Redevelopment Authority has canceled its request for proposals to redevelop the 22-acre Suitland Manor property, citing the "dramatic decline in the economy."
It is the first official word from the county since August 2007, when it appeared to award the contract to then-Silver Spring-based Suitland Joint Ventures of Mid-City Urban LLC — now Urban Atlantic of Bethesda — over a county-based group that had also been pursuing the development rights.
"The Authority will re-advertise the opportunity in the near future to allow offerors to base their proposals on current economic conditions," Jacqueline F. Brown, executive director of the redevelopment authority, wrote in a Feb. 17 letter to Suitland Development Partners.
UM business school to start new program for non-majors
The University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business at College Park is accepting applications for Smith Business Edge, a six-week summer program that offers non-business undergraduate students and recent graduates an overview of accounting, finance, marketing and management.
Participants will also engage with guest speakers and in group projects, and visit businesses such as Southwest Airlines, Ikea and Harley-Davidson. Information: www.rhsmith.umd.edu.