BioTalk with Rich Bendis

In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Sara Dauber, Vice President, Startup Banking for J.P. Morgan's Innovation Economy team, joins the conversation to discuss how early-stage life science and healthcare companies can think more strategically about banking, financing readiness, and long-term growth. Sara shares how her career moved from life science operating companies to NIH and now to J.P. Morgan, where she works with early-stage life science and healthcare ventures across the DMV and surrounding regions. Drawing on her experience inside startups, supporting SBIR-funded companies, and advising founders from the business side, Sara brings a practical perspective on what early-stage teams need as they begin raising institutional capital and building the systems behind a company. The conversation explores how J.P. Morgan supports companies across the full lifecycle, from inception through IPO and beyond. Sara also discusses the importance of secure banking infrastructure, investor readiness, cap table management, startup-focused resources, and relationship-building in a market where founders are often asked to do more with limited time and capital. Rich and Sara also revisit her time at NIH, her work with BHI Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, and the value of the BioHealth Capital Region ecosystem in helping entrepreneurs connect with the right advisors, funders, and partners. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant. Sara Dauber is Vice President, J.P. Morgan's Startup Banking team, where she works with early-stage life science and healthcare companies in the DMV and broader Mid Atlantic. Before joining J.P. Morgan, Sara spent more than 14 years in life science operating companies, often working with early-stage startups across finance, program management, corporate development, business development, and operations. She later worked with NINDS at NIH, supporting SBIR-funded companies with business support. Today, she brings that experience to her work with founders as they build, finance, and scale life science and healthcare companies.

In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Neal Piper, Founder and CEO of Luminoah, returns to share a major milestone in the company's journey: FDA clearance for Luminoah Flow. A past winner of the BioHealth Capital Region Crab Trap Competition, Neal first joined BioTalk to discuss the deeply personal story behind the company. His family's experience during his son Noah's cancer treatment revealed the daily challenges of tube feeding, from limited mobility and caregiver burden to the lack of real-time data once patients leave the hospital. Now, after six years of development, persistence, regulatory work, and product refinement, Luminoah is preparing to bring its portable, connected enteral nutrition system to patients, caregivers, clinicians, and health systems. Neal discusses what FDA clearance means for the company, how Luminoah Flow is designed to support more independence in daily life, and what comes next as the team prepares for early access programs, commercial rollout, and continued growth in the BioHealth Capital Region. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant. Neal Piper has devoted his career to advancing healthcare and expanding access to life-saving innovation across the U.S., Africa, and Asia. He began in Pfizer's Neuroscience Division before joining the Global Health Fellows Program, later serving as President of its Alumni Business Network, where he united 350 leaders and scientists to strengthen healthcare systems worldwide. He went on to expand healthcare programs in 18 countries with Population Services International and founded multiple ventures, including a home healthcare company. As the founding CEO of the Presidential Precinct, he empowered emerging and world leaders driving change in government, entrepreneurship, and civil society. Guided by a belief in the power of innovation to improve lives, Neal now leads Luminoah with a mission to create meaningful, lasting change in healthcare.

In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Jared Smith, MBA, CEcD, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, joins the conversation to discuss his new role leading economic development efforts in one of the nation's most important biohealth markets. Jared shares how his experience in Louisiana and Nevada shaped his approach to economic development, including the importance of diversification, business retention, workforce strategy, and bringing partners together around shared goals. He also explains MCEDC's role as a public-private partnership and how the organization works with local government, chambers, business leaders, nonprofits, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to support companies across Montgomery County. The discussion highlights the county's deep talent base, global diversity, quality of life, and position as the center of a top U.S. biopharma hub. Jared also discusses MCEDC's strategic planning process, the importance of reducing uncertainty for companies, and why economic development should be viewed as an investment in long-term community strength. Throughout the episode, Jared emphasizes that MCEDC is focused on listening, connecting the right people, helping companies navigate available resources, and building a more competitive future for Montgomery County. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant. https://thepodcastconsultant.com/ Jared Smith serves as the President and CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, where he leads economic development initiatives to attract, retain, and expand businesses within key industries in Montgomery County, Maryland. Jared joined MCEDC in December 2025 after spending more than a decade in Nevada's economic development ecosystem. As Director of Economic Development for the City of Henderson, he supported a community within the Las Vegas Metropolitan Statistical Area of more than two million residents. During his tenure, he played a key role in diversifying a tourism-driven regional economy and supported the creation of more than 20,000 jobs. Previously, as Chief Operating Officer of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, he helped deliver $17.2 billion in regional economic impact, the highest in the organization's history. His economic development and business experience spans business attraction, retention, and expansion, as well as workforce development and long-term strategic planning. He has collaborated with companies across a wide range of industries, from established businesses to high-growth sectors. Before moving to Nevada, Jared was Director of Business Development at the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and Manager of Business Retention and Expansion at Louisiana Economic Development, where he designed and deployed a comprehensive economic development strategy and outreach program to expand corporate businesses statewide. Throughout his career, Jared has worked with elected officials at the local and state levels and led various international missions. A Certified Economic Developer, he is an active member of the International Economic Development Council and has been recognized twice, in 2024 and 2022, as one of North America's Top 50 Economic Developers by Consultant Connect. Jared holds an MBA from Southeastern Louisiana University, a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University, and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma's Economic Development Institute.

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 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.

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 the work of the Governor's Life Sciences Advisory Board, the state's leadership in computational health, and the importance of industry collaboration during BioHealth Capital Region Week. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant. Dr. Stefanie Trop brings a unique blend of hands-on scientific expertise and high-level strategic insight. With a Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, she has worked at the ground level in immunology, clinical trials, and vaccine development, while also driving growth through scientific partnerships and business development. Her deep understanding of the science and passion for problem solving guides her ability to build effective collaborations that advance both innovation and commercial success. At the Maryland Department of Commerce, Stefanie works to connect Maryland's life sciences companies with national and global resources, expanding the industry's impact at home and globally. In current and prior roles, she bridges communication gaps between scientific and business teams, ensuring that customer needs translate into innovative products and business wins.

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 reflects on how Maryland's BioHealth Capital Region has supported the company's innovation and growth. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant. Dr. Helen Sabzevari is the President and CEO of Precigen, Inc., and a leading expert in immunotherapy-based therapeutics. She previously served in executive roles at Compass Therapeutics and Merck KGaA/EMD Serono, where she advanced numerous immuno-oncology programs. Dr. Sabzevari began her career at the National Cancer Institute and has been widely recognized for her leadership and scientific contributions, including honors from NIH, SITC, and Forbes.

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 drive stability and impact for early-stage biotech companies. Amy also offers her perspective on how manufacturing must evolve to meet clinical demand, and how CTMC is positioned to lead in this next era of therapeutic development. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant. Amy C. Hay is the Chief Business and Strategy Officer at the Cell Therapy Manufacturing Center (CTMC), a joint venture between National Resilience and MD Anderson Cancer Center. She brings decades of experience in oncology care, strategic growth, and healthcare innovation to her role, where she leads business strategy, partnerships, and long-term growth initiatives. Prior to CTMC, Amy held leadership roles at Varian (a Siemens Healthineers company), MD Anderson Cancer Center, and several global consulting efforts focused on advancing cancer care. Her career spans work across the U.S. and internationally, with a focus on driving innovation, commercialization, and patient access in complex health systems.

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 employers, and how the credit union's "Banking with Heart" philosophy is making a difference across the BioHealth Capital Region. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant. Rick Wieczorek has been in the credit union industry for over 40 years and currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the NIH Federal Credit Union. Since taking the helm in 2013, he has focused on making NIHFCU the preferred provider of financial services for the healthcare and biomedical communities. His previous roles include President and CEO of Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union and CFO of NRL Federal Credit Union, where he became recognized as an expert in asset liability management and wealth strategy. Rick has also served as Chairman of the MD|DC Credit Union Association Board of Directors. A graduate of George Mason University with an MBA from George Washington University, Rick began his career as a teller and brings deep expertise and passion to his leadership in mission-driven financial services.