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Biotechs Give Back with BioBears

BioNJ, a trade association that represents the life sciences industry in the state, held its inaugural “BioNJ Gives Back” event this past Tuesday, in which some 200 employees from various biotechnology firms in the state gathered at two separate locations to build BioBears. The colorful animals, complete with superhero capes, masks, birth certificates and personalized notes from builders, will be distributed to pediatric patients at Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) facilities throughout New Jersey this holiday season.

The idea for the event emanated from last February’s BioNJ Annual Dinner Meeting and Innovation Celebration where Will Lewis, chair and CEO of Bridgewater-based Insmed, former BioNJ chair and the recipient of the 2024 Dr. Sol J. Barer Award, delivered a call to action for the biotech industry to set aside a community day, similar to what Insmed itself has been doing for a number of years, and give back through volunteering.

BioNJ Chairperson Dr. Emer Leahy, president and CEO of PsychoGenics, Inc., decided to accept Lewis’s challenge, with BioNJ bringing in TeamBonding, a company that develops team-building experiences, to create the bear-building inaugural event. Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson suggested that CSH be the charity of choice.

Approximately 100 volunteers gathered in the morning at Insmed’s Bridgewater facility, and another 100 gathered in the afternoon at Genmab’s Plainsboro facility, to start building the furry animals.

According to BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart, “This is our first time doing this, but our member companies give back every day. That’s why they are in business … but why not get them together in a slightly different and more visible way and deliver these special bears to this important organization?”

“We are honored to accept the BioBears as a symbol of hope and resiliency, generously provided by BioNJ,” said Belle Novas-Lumauig, development manager of Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation. “We are deeply grateful for BioNJ’s unwavering advocacy for the children who count on the industry’s generosity and dedication in making a significant difference in pediatric healthcare, not just in New Jersey, but across the nation and beyond.”

Novas-Lumauig is a parent of a former CSH patient. She said that seeing the biotech employees building bears and knowing that they were going to children with complex medial conditions is all about community and resiliency.

“Our patients are some of the most medically fragile children. Thanks to community support, they can access life-changing therapy, groundbreaking research, recreational activity, and event pet therapy that brings joy and healing,” Novas-Lumauig said.

CSH is the largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital in the US, serving more than 35,000 patients annually across 15 locations throughout New Jersey.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

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