Dr. Timothy Block will share his thoughts about launching the Foundation, Blumberg Institute and Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC).
Doylestown, Pa., Aug. 26, 2024 – When Timothy M. Block, PhD, an award-winning virologist and accomplished inventor, launched the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC) in 2006, he didn’t expect that his brainchild would grow into a powerful scientific and economic engine with nearly 100 member companies and flourishing high-tech facilities in both Doylestown and Philadelphia.
Today the PABC, which is run by the nonprofit Baruch S. Blumberg Institute in partnership with the Hepatitis B Foundation, is considered one of the most successful life sciences business incubators in the nation. The PABC, the Foundation, the Institute and the member organizations collectively employ more than 400 people.
The creation and development of those organizations are recounted by Dr. Block in a new book, “Curing Disease from the Ground Up: How to Operate a Biotechnology Business Incubator,” published this summer by Springer Nature, Switzerland. Dr. Block writes about the unusual reasons for starting the PABC in the unlikely place of Doylestown, Pa., along with providing insights into its success. He also describes launching the Hepatitis B Foundation and later the Blumberg Institute, which play critical roles in the management and success of the PABC.
Dr. Block will give a presentation about the book and the stories it offers, and sign copies, at a community event at 4 p.m. on Sept. 26 at the PABC, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, 18902.
Former State Senator Joe Conti, a Bucks County native who has been a longtime supporter of the organizations, will serve as moderator. Because of space limitations, online registration is required here, where there is a link for book purchases. The event will be shared live on Zoom.
Dr. Block, who co-founded the Hepatitis B Foundation with his wife, Joan, and Jan and Paul Witte, is donating the book’s royalties to support the Foundation’s programs.
“We greatly appreciate Tim’s generosity, which wonderfully reflects his dedication to our cause, and we’re inviting everyone interested to join us for our Meet the Author event,” Foundation President Chari A. Cohen, DrPH, MPH, said. “It will be a celebration where people from our local community and beyond can discuss the book and the fascinating stories that he tells in it.”
Following Dr. Block’s presentation and a question-and-answer period, a reception will be held with refreshments served.
About Timothy M. Block, PhD: Co-founder and President Emeritus of the Hepatitis B Foundation, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute and Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC), Dr. Block is scientific co-founder of several life sciences companies, served on numerous company boards, ranging from those that are startups to publicly traded, and helped in their raise of hundreds of millions of dollars. He is co-inventor on 20 issued patents and 23 applications, has co-authored more than 270 scholarly papers, received more than $50 million in extramural research and has advised and served on numerous federal review panels (NIH, FDA, DoD). He was tenured Professor at Thomas Jefferson University College of Medicine and Drexel University College of Medicine and continues to be an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He has received numerous awards and honors that include an Hon. Caus. Medical Bachelors, named Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Fellow, U.S. National Academy of Inventors; Fellow of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (FAASLD). special citations from the U.S. Congress and PA legislature; “Best Life Science CEO” from the Philadelphia Business Journal; named to the PharmaVoice 100; and “Researcher of the Year” from the American Liver Foundation. In 2020, he and Ms. Block received the inaugural Distinguished Public Service Award on behalf of the Hepatitis B Foundation from the AASLD. He received the Ph.D. in Microbiology from the State University of New York, Buffalo, followed by post-doctoral training in Biochemistry at Princeton University, and completed a sabbatical at the University of Oxford University.
About the Hepatitis B Foundation: As the world’s leading hepatitis B advocacy and research organization, the Hepatitis B Foundation is one of the most active proponents of improving hepatitis B screening, prevention, and treatment of the disease. We are the only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. Founded in 1991, the Hepatitis B Foundation is based in Doylestown, Pa., with offices in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. To learn more, go to www.hepb.org, read our blog at hepb.org/blog, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@hepbfoundation) or call us at 215-489-4900.
Dr. Timothy Block will share his thoughts about launching the Foundation, Blumberg Institute and Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC).
Doylestown, Pa., Aug. 26, 2024 – When Timothy M. Block, PhD, an award-winning virologist and accomplished inventor, launched the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC) in 2006, he didn’t expect that his brainchild would grow into a powerful scientific and economic engine with nearly 100 member companies and flourishing high-tech facilities in both Doylestown and Philadelphia.
Today the PABC, which is run by the nonprofit Baruch S. Blumberg Institute in partnership with the Hepatitis B Foundation, is considered one of the most successful life sciences business incubators in the nation. The PABC, the Foundation, the Institute and the member organizations collectively employ more than 400 people.
The creation and development of those organizations are recounted by Dr. Block in a new book, “Curing Disease from the Ground Up: How to Operate a Biotechnology Business Incubator,” published this summer by Springer Nature, Switzerland. Dr. Block writes about the unusual reasons for starting the PABC in the unlikely place of Doylestown, Pa., along with providing insights into its success. He also describes launching the Hepatitis B Foundation and later the Blumberg Institute, which play critical roles in the management and success of the PABC.
Dr. Block will give a presentation about the book and the stories it offers, and sign copies, at a community event at 4 p.m. on Sept. 26 at the PABC, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, 18902.
Former State Senator Joe Conti, a Bucks County native who has been a longtime supporter of the organizations, will serve as moderator. Because of space limitations, online registration is required here, where there is a link for book purchases. The event will be shared live on Zoom.
Dr. Block, who co-founded the Hepatitis B Foundation with his wife, Joan, and Jan and Paul Witte, is donating the book’s royalties to support the Foundation’s programs.
“We greatly appreciate Tim’s generosity, which wonderfully reflects his dedication to our cause, and we’re inviting everyone interested to join us for our Meet the Author event,” Foundation President Chari A. Cohen, DrPH, MPH, said. “It will be a celebration where people from our local community and beyond can discuss the book and the fascinating stories that he tells in it.”
Following Dr. Block’s presentation and a question-and-answer period, a reception will be held with refreshments served.
About Timothy M. Block, PhD: Co-founder and President Emeritus of the Hepatitis B Foundation, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute and Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC), Dr. Block is scientific co-founder of several life sciences companies, served on numerous company boards, ranging from those that are startups to publicly traded, and helped in their raise of hundreds of millions of dollars. He is co-inventor on 20 issued patents and 23 applications, has co-authored more than 270 scholarly papers, received more than $50 million in extramural research and has advised and served on numerous federal review panels (NIH, FDA, DoD). He was tenured Professor at Thomas Jefferson University College of Medicine and Drexel University College of Medicine and continues to be an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He has received numerous awards and honors that include an Hon. Caus. Medical Bachelors, named Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Fellow, U.S. National Academy of Inventors; Fellow of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (FAASLD). special citations from the U.S. Congress and PA legislature; “Best Life Science CEO” from the Philadelphia Business Journal; named to the PharmaVoice 100; and “Researcher of the Year” from the American Liver Foundation. In 2020, he and Ms. Block received the inaugural Distinguished Public Service Award on behalf of the Hepatitis B Foundation from the AASLD. He received the Ph.D. in Microbiology from the State University of New York, Buffalo, followed by post-doctoral training in Biochemistry at Princeton University, and completed a sabbatical at the University of Oxford University.
About the Hepatitis B Foundation: As the world’s leading hepatitis B advocacy and research organization, the Hepatitis B Foundation is one of the most active proponents of improving hepatitis B screening, prevention, and treatment of the disease. We are the only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. Founded in 1991, the Hepatitis B Foundation is based in Doylestown, Pa., with offices in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. To learn more, go to www.hepb.org, read our blog at hepb.org/blog, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@hepbfoundation) or call us at 215-489-4900.