New Orleans BioInnovation Center fuels accessible and equitable health security

Contact:
April Catarella
Gambel Communications
504.577.7390
april@gambelpr.com

New Orleans BioInnovation Center fuels accessible and equitable
health security with relaunch of BioChallenge pitch competition

NEW ORLEANS (April 23, 2024) - The New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC) is excited to
announce the relaunch of the annual BioChallenge pitch competition to be held Oct. 31, 2024,.
The competition invites entrepreneurs and startups to showcase their groundbreaking ideas
and technologies, positioning them for success in bringing to market the next generation of
health security solutions. The challenge is poised to ignite biotech innovation and enhance
equitable and accessible preparedness and response in New Orleans and beyond.
As a member of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)
Accelerator Network since 2018, NOBIC is excited to focus this year’s challenge around the
mission to develop medical countermeasures that address the public health and medical
consequences of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) accidents, incidents and
attacks, pandemic influenza and emerging infectious diseases.
"We are thrilled to launch the 2024 BioChallenge, a NOBIC Ssgnature event that has produced
many local and national success stories. This year, we are especially excited to see the
innovative solutions focusing on access and equity that our finalists will bring to the forefront,”
said Kris Khalil, executive director, New Orleans BioInnovation Center and managing director,
BioFund.
“The BioChallenge is not just a competition; it's a platform for breakthrough ideas that have the
potential to revolutionize our nation’s health security posture. We're looking forward to
showcasing the talent and ingenuity of our community," said Patrick Norton, NOBIC board chair
The BioChallenge pitch competition will be held at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center in
downtown New Orleans Oct. 31, 2024, following Bio on the Bayou, an academic biotechnology
research symposium.

Past winners of the BioChallenge include local biotech trailblazers such as Axosim, Junum,
Obatala Sciences and BioAesthetics. This year's winners' total prize pool, supported by multiple
stakeholders, is over $100,000 and growing.
Sign up to learn more at: www.neworleansbio.com/biochallenge.

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