BioTalk with Rich Bendis

BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI)
BioTalk with Rich Bendis

BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) Founder, President & CEO, Rich Bendis, hosts BioTalk — conversations with some of the most accomplished and exciting business, academic, and government leaders in the biohealth industry. BioTalk enables you to learn from these leaders about issues which can help you grow your business. What are the current trends? Where are industry sectors headed? How do we increase access to capital in our region? Rich and his guests dive deep into these topics and much more. Host, Rich Bendis is an entrepreneur, corporate executive, venture capitalist, investment banker, innovation and technology-based economic development leader, international speaker, and consultant in the technology and biohealth industries. Produced by Andy Eckert, with help from The Podcast Consultant, Mathew Passy.

  1. MAY 11

    From Classroom to Clinic: Neopenda’s Global Health Journey with CEO Sona Shah

    In this episode of BioTalk, host Rich Bendis welcomes Sona Shah, CEO and Co-Founder of Neopenda, for an inspiring conversation on innovation, impact, and scaling medical technology in underserved markets. Sona shares how a formative experience teaching in rural Kenya ignited her passion for global health, leading to the creation of neoGuard, a wearable vital signs monitor tailored for low-resource settings. They discuss the engineering challenges of building clinical-grade hardware for hospitals with limited infrastructure, the company’s growth from Maryland’s Relevant Health accelerator, and the deployment of over 350 devices across East and West Africa. Sona also talks about Neopenda’s next wave of products, lessons in balancing cost and quality, and the importance of community, resilience, and mission-driven entrepreneurship. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant. Sona Shah is the CEO and Co-founder of Neopenda, a company dedicated to improving healthcare access in emerging markets. Neopenda develops innovative medical technologies—such as the neoGuard system—designed to help healthcare providers deliver high-quality care in low-resource settings. The company's mission is to make life-saving technology available where it’s needed most. Sona’s path into global health innovation began during a semester teaching primary school in Kenya, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by under-resourced healthcare systems. That experience, paired with her background in biomedical engineering, inspired her to co-found Neopenda in 2015. Since then, the company has focused on delivering scalable, impactful solutions to countries including Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana, with a long-term goal of reaching the next billion people who could benefit from better access to care. She remains committed to advancing tech-driven healthcare solutions that make a meaningful difference in the world’s most underserved communities.

    37 min

  2. APR 27

    BioHealth at a Crossroads: Alex Philippidis on Policy Shifts, Investment Trends, and What’s Ahead

    In this timely episode of BioTalk, returning guest Alex Philippidis, Senior Business Editor at Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, joins host Rich Bendis to explore how sweeping changes in U.S. regulatory policy, workforce dynamics, and economic pressures are affecting the biotech industry in real time. Alex breaks down the potential consequences of FDA workforce cuts, particularly for small and mid-sized biotechs that depend on regulatory guidance, and offers perspective on how HHS and NIH budget proposals could reshape the national innovation infrastructure. The conversation covers everything from the impact of tariffs on manufacturing and supply chains to the slowing pace of M&A activity and venture capital investment trends. Alex also shares his insights on IPO strategy shifts, and whether the current biotech environment is poised for a rebound—or a broader realignment with global competitors. This is a must-listen episode for anyone navigating the uncertain waters of biotech in 2025. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant. Alex Philippidis is the Senior Business Editor at Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN). Specializing in biopharma business news and industry issues, Alex joined GEN in 2011 after covering research institutes at GenomeWeb and editing the BioRegion News newsletter. With over 20 years of experience in journalism, Alex has reported on various topics for newspapers and has been featured in major media outlets such as the New York Times and the BBC.

    35 min

  3. FEB 9

    Investing in BioHealth: Dr. Deborah Hemingway on Building Maryland’s Commercialization Hub

    What does it take to establish Maryland as a powerhouse for biotech commercialization? In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Dr. Deborah Hemingway, Founder and Managing Partner of Ecphora Capital, shares her insights on the current investment landscape in the BioHealth Capital Region. She discusses the strategic advantages that make Maryland uniquely positioned for success, the critical gaps that must be addressed, and how state and local governments can provide essential support through tax credits, grants, and economic incentives. Dr. Hemingway also highlights Ecphora Capital’s impact, having deployed $15 million in the last two years, and reveals the firm’s strategy for future investments, including SPVs and a dedicated fund. With deep experience in medtech commercialization, strategic partnerships, and early-stage investing, she offers valuable perspectives on where the industry is headed in 2025 and how companies can thrive in an evolving biotech ecosystem. Tune in for a compelling conversation on innovation, investment, and the future of biotech in the BioHealth Capital Region. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Dr. Deborah Hemingway is the Founder and Managing Partner of Ecphora Capital, a medtech venture capital firm in Baltimore, Maryland. Ecphora Capital leverages first-look access at world-class medical research and manufacturing institutions and is the first and only entity to achieve the top level of a state tax credit program that refunds 75% of their investment.  Additionally, Dr. Hemingway has profound involvement in the entrepreneurial landscape, having founded, invested in, and held board positions for 53 startup companies over twenty years. She has meticulously sharpened her acumen in medical device commercialization, strategic growth, and investing. She is on the board of directors for Mi-Helper and Novel Microdevices. Dr. Hemingway holds a Ph.D. in biophysics from the University of Maryland, College Park.

    31 min

  4. JAN 26

    AI and Health Innovation: Leading the Future of Tech and Collaboration with UMD Dean Amitabh Varshney

    In this episode of BioTalk, host Rich Bendis is joined by Amitabh Varshney, Dean of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences and a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. Together, they explore the groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence and health computing driven by the University of Maryland (UMD). Dean Varshney discusses the launch of the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM) earlier this year. He shares insights into the vision behind AIM, the strategic hiring of new faculty, the allocation of seed grants, and the development of academic programs in AI, all solidifying UMD's position as a leader in this rapidly evolving field. The conversation also delves into the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing (UM-IHC), which recently marked its two-year anniversary. Dean Varshney highlights the institute's achievements, including its partnerships with organizations like the FDA and NIH, patent submissions, and collaborations with AstraZeneca and 20/20 Gene Systems. He explains how UM-IHC's efforts are reshaping the intersection of health and technology. Rich and Dean Varshney discuss UMD's commitment to innovation and its role in tackling national challenges through interdisciplinary education, cutting-edge research, and collaborations with industry partners, government agencies, and research institutions. They also reflect on the university's integral role within the BioHealth Capital Region and its contribution to advancing scientific discovery, economic growth, and regional leadership in biotech and health innovation. Tune in to hear how UMD's focus on AI and health computing is shaping the future of education, research, and collaboration. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Amitabh Varshney is Dean of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences and a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. Varshney is currently exploring applications of virtual and augmented reality in several areas, including education, healthcare, and telemedicine. His research focuses on exploring the applications of high-performance visualization in engineering, science, and medicine. He has worked on a number of research areas including visual saliency, summarization of large visual datasets, and visual computing for big data. He has served in various roles in the IEEE Visualization and Graphics Technical Committee, including as its Chair (2008–12). He received the IEEE Visualization Technical Achievement Award in 2004. He is a Fellow of IEEE and a member of the IEEE Visualization Academy.

    37 min

  5. JAN 19

    Pioneering Pediatric Innovation: Dr. Kolaleh Eskandanian on Transforming Child Healthcare

    In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Dr. Kolaleh Eskandanian, Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Children’s National Hospital, discusses her work driving pediatric healthcare innovation. Dr. Eskandanian introduces the BARDA SPARK Accelerator, a groundbreaking initiative focused on advancing medical countermeasures for children, and explains how it aligns with Children’s National’s mission to lead in pediatric healthcare innovation. She also highlights the unique challenges in developing pediatric medical countermeasures and the importance of partnerships with organizations like Rainbow Babies, Mass General, and others. Additionally, Dr. Eskandanian shares insights into the hospital’s role in fostering innovation through the National Capital Consortium for Pediatric Device Innovation (NCC-PDI) and the Children’s National Research and Innovation Campus. Join us for an engaging conversation about the future of pediatric healthcare, the opportunities for innovation, and how the SPARK Accelerator is paving the way for advancements that will improve the lives of children worldwide. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant. Kolaleh Eskandanian, Ph.D., M.B.A., P.M.P. is Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Children’s National Hospital, reporting to hospital’s Executive Vice President, Physician-In-Chief and Chief Academic Officer. In this capacity, she oversees the Office of Innovation Ventures, the Sheikh Zayed Institute’s R&D operations, and has a leadership role in the development of the Children’s National Research and Innovation Campus (opening 2020). She is also the executive director of the FDA-funded National Capital Consortium for Pediatric Device Innovation (NCC-PDI), focused on accelerating the path to market for pediatric devices. Eskandanian works with a large network of small and large businesses, nonprofits and government agencies –addressing the unmet medical needs of children. She is the producer of an annual innovation competition that supports small businesses who demonstrate the ability to address a significant medical need in the pediatric space. Eskandanian’s expertise includes the full spectrum of product development activities, having held management positions at Accenture, a global management consulting firm, where she directed major product launches for clients. Eskandanian is the co-PI on the FDA-funded Global Pediatric Clinical Trials Network grant and the CTSI-CN lead of the Orphan Product Accelerator.  Eskandanian’s own innovations are in the market space, used by millions. She is the lead inventor of the first-ever adverse event reporting system, initially deployed in a research academic environment. This technology and its derivatives have now been in the market for over 10 years. She has had leadership roles in the development of the first web-based trouble entry management system for a Fortune 100 company in the telecommunications sector. She has been a key contributor in securing over $40 million in government funding for two large research enterprises. Prior to joining Children’s National, Kolaleh held positions with Intelsat, Accenture and Georgetown University. Her background is in mechanical engineering with a PhD in operations science and an MBA from American University Kogod School of Business.

    41 min

  6. JAN 5

    Building Montgomery County’s Future: Economic Growth and Innovation with MCEDC’s Bill Tompkins

    In this episode of BioTalk, Bill Tompkins, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), discusses the strategies driving Montgomery County’s position as a leading bioscience hub. Bill highlights MCEDC’s role in reinforcing the region’s standing as the third-largest bioscience cluster in the U.S. and shares insights into the new Institute for Health Computing. He also introduces two new venture funds—the Technology Innovation Fund and the Founders Fund—designed to accelerate innovation and support local entrepreneurs. Bill outlines MCEDC’s priorities for the upcoming year, emphasizing economic growth, investment opportunities, and fostering collaborations that make Montgomery County a thriving ecosystem for business and life sciences. Bill Tompkins is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), based in Rockville MD. He leads a team of twenty-five diverse professionals who work to fulfill the mission of making Montgomery County one of the best, most diverse and equitable places to be in business in the country. Bill was previously Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and has been with MCEDC since January of 2019. Bill has a seasoned background in marketing, business operations, strategic planning, and nonprofit management, with most of his career serving as a senior executive in the media and entertainment industries with Fortune 500 companies. Bill also ran a consulting practice which advised companies on strategic business opportunities and brand transformation strategies. From May 2014 until August 2015, Bill was Vice President, Advertising and Marketing at The Philadelphia Tribune. He made a strategic investment in The Tribune to help ensure the long-term sustainability of Black media in the US. In July 2012, he was named President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, a Washington based organization, which represents over two hundred Black owned and operated newspapers across the nation. Bill joined the Eastman Kodak Company in 2000 as Chief Marketing Officer for the Entertainment Imaging Business unit and became Vice President and General Manager of the Motion Picture Film Group while also serving as a corporate vice president. Prior to Kodak, Bill spent nineteen years from 1982 until 2000 at The Washington Post Newspaper in a variety of executive positions. His most recent position there was Vice President of Marketing with most of his career spent in the Advertising and Circulation Departments. Bill has been in active leadership positions on several nonprofit Boards including the Mosaic Theater Company of DC where he is Treasurer and the former Chair of the Board, Rockville Economic Development (REDI), Worksource Montgomery and the Advisory Boards of the Universities at Shady Grove and Montgomery Moving Forward. He was previously Chairman, National Kidney Foundation, National Capital Area, member, Board of Directors, California Chamber of Commerce, the Advertising Council, the Studio Theatre, The Washington Convention and Visitors Association, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, the American Black Film Festival Advisory Board, and The Helen Hayes Awards Committee. He is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council, and a graduate of Leadership Washington. Bill is a member of the Economic Club of Washington, the Executive Leadership Council, and a graduate of Leadership Washington. Bill received his MBA from the Harvard Business School where he was a General Motors Fellow and received his BA in Economics, magna cum laude from Tufts University. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

    35 min

  7. 12/01/2024

    Revolutionizing Respiratory Care: Linshom Medical's Journey to Innovation and Recognition

    In this episode of BioTalk, host Rich Bendis welcomes Ric Hughen, CEO of Linshom Medical, and Talia Feldman, Software Engineer at Linshom Medical, to discuss their groundbreaking advancements in respiratory monitoring technology. As the main winners of the 2024 Crab Trap Competition at the 10th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Week, Ric and Talia share Linshom’s mission to improve patient safety through their innovative and accessible respiratory monitoring devices. Ric explains how Linshom is addressing critical gaps in respiratory monitoring by bringing operating-room-quality data to patient bedsides and homes. Talia shares insights from the engineering side, highlighting the challenges and breakthroughs in developing reliable and user-friendly technology. The conversation explores Linshom’s roots in the BioHealth Capital Region and how its partnerships and resources have been instrumental to the company’s growth. Talia reflects on her experience presenting at the Crab Trap Competition, and Ric discusses how this recognition aligns with Linshom’s broader visibility and growth objectives. Looking ahead, Ric and Talia provide a glimpse into Linshom’s future, including upcoming milestones and advancements that promise to further revolutionize respiratory care. Don’t miss this episode filled with innovation, collaboration, and a vision for transforming patient safety. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Richard Hughen’s thirty years of medical device experience spans three Fortune 500 and three start-up companies with two successful exits to date. He is currently CEO of Linshom Medical, a start-up that is first to deliver operating room quality respiratory data to the patient bedside and home. Ric was an investor and member of the executive team that built start-up CSA Medical, from a technology license (U.S. Navy) through product development, animal trials, clinical trials, five FDA clearances, CE mark, three rounds of funding ($50M), commercial growth and a 2019 sale to Steris. Ric was Managing Director of LearnWare, a life science focused e-learning start-up, which was successfully built and sold to a private equity fund. He is currently a reviewer for the National Science Foundation’s SBIR/STTR program, an Entrepreneur in Residence for Johns Hopkins Tech Ventures, an advisory board member of George Mason University’s Bioengineering Alliance and a site miner for TEDCO at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. Earlier in his career, Ric led various senior management, marketing, training and sales teams for Johnson & Johnson, BD, Abbott and Cordis. Ric holds MBA and BS degrees from The Pennsylvania State University. Talia Feldman is a software engineer at Linshom Medical, an innovative healthcare technology company at the forefront of transforming respiratory monitoring. Talia received a B.S. in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Delaware. Upon graduation she worked as a software engineer in the Maritime Division at Leidos. Now combining her technical skills with a passion for innovation, Talia supports Linshom Medical’s development of providing continuous predictive respiratory monitoring to improve patient care.

    31 min

  8. 11/24/2024

    Transforming Emergency Medicine: Dr. Eric Edwards and MedPhlow’s Life-Saving Innovations

    In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Dr. Eric Edwards, Co-Founder and CEO of MedPhlow, shares how his innovative company is reshaping emergency medicine through cutting-edge drug delivery systems. Dr. Edwards discusses his journey from co-founding Kaléo, where he helped develop life-saving products like AUVI-Q, to leading MedPhlow, a subsidiary of Phlow Corp. Based in Richmond, VA, MedPhlow is dedicated to addressing critical challenges in essential medicine delivery, with its first product focused on improving outcomes during sudden cardiac arrest. Dr. Edwards explains the groundbreaking technology behind MedPhlow’s platform and how it is poised to transform emergency care. He also highlights the impact of investor partnerships, such as those with Virginia Venture Partners, and discusses MedPhlow’s next milestones in its mission to make emergency medicine more efficient and accessible. As a part of the BioHealth Capital Region, Dr. Edwards reflects on the advantages of being based in this vibrant hub of innovation and his contributions as a BioHealth Innovation (BHI) board member. Tune in to learn about the future of MedPhlow and the inspiring work being done to advance life-saving solutions in healthcare. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Dr. Edwards was previously co-founder of Kaléo, Inc. a pharmaceutical company in Richmond, VA. During his 16 years at Kaléo, he held several executive management positions including Chief Science Officer where he was responsible for overall scientific strategy and all pharmaceutical development programs; Chief Medical Officer responsible for developing a medical affairs team and capability while operationalizing the Company’s clinical program strategy; and Vice President – Innovation, overseeing Kaleo’s research and development pipeline and overall new product strategy.   Dr. Edwards is the co-inventor of multiple marketed products, including AUVI-Q, epinephrine auto-injector for the treatment of allergic emergencies (anaphylaxis), is named on over 215 issued and patent-pending applications, and is a published author on numerous scientific publications.   Dr. Edwards also continues to serve his community by volunteering on a local rescue squad, including responding to 911 calls and training paramedics in pre-hospital emergency care. Dr. Edwards. obtained his B.S. in Biology, Ph.D. in the Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Doctor of Medicine degrees at Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia.

    36 min
See All (176)

4.7
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) Founder, President & CEO, Rich Bendis, hosts BioTalk — conversations with some of the most accomplished and exciting business, academic, and government leaders in the biohealth industry. BioTalk enables you to learn from these leaders about issues which can help you grow your business. What are the current trends? Where are industry sectors headed? How do we increase access to capital in our region? Rich and his guests dive deep into these topics and much more. Host, Rich Bendis is an entrepreneur, corporate executive, venture capitalist, investment banker, innovation and technology-based economic development leader, international speaker, and consultant in the technology and biohealth industries. Produced by Andy Eckert, with help from The Podcast Consultant, Mathew Passy.

Information

  • Creator
    BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI)
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    176
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    BioTalk with Rich Bendis

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