This year’s recipients reflect a deep commitment to advancing therapies that help patients — and the world
The Termeer Foundation announced today this year’s Transatlantic Connections Award honorees, an award that honors two life sciences entrepreneurs — one in the United States and one in the Netherlands — who are leading innovative biomedical research programs that have the potential to strengthen ties between the two biotech ecosystems. This year’s recipients are Aisling Foley, Co-Founder and CEO of ExCulture and Ana Moreno, Co-Founder and CEO of Navega Therapeutics.
“We are delighted to recognize these two remarkable innovators,” said Catharine Smith, Executive Director of the Termeer Foundation. “These trailblazing CEOs were chosen because of their deep commitment to improving health and healthcare for patients and the world.”
Foley and her colleagues at ExCulture are pioneering a novel, more sustainable, animal-free fermentation method for producing a range of complex biopharmaceuticals. As a first proof-of-concept, her team is harnessing their technology to develop an alternative form of heparin — an anticoagulant drug that is currently derived from pigs and often in short supply.
“Heparin is the most used blood thinner in the world, required by 1 out of 3 hospitalized patients, yet we are still depending on a high-risk supply chain for its production – porcine intestines,” said Foley. “This dependence has led to contamination crises and global shortages in the past. Our goal at ExCulture is to create a safer, more reliable alternative through a future-proof production process.”
Moreno and her team at Navega are developing a new generation of gene therapies that target the epigenome — the collection of chemical tags that are affixed to DNA and regulate how and when genes are turned on and off — rather than the genome itself. Their first effort targets chronic pain through the development of a novel, epigenetic gene therapy that could provide a long-lasting, non-addictive form of pain relief.
“Receiving the Transatlantic Connections Award from the Termeer Foundation is a tremendous honor and validation for our vision at Navega Therapeutics. Pain remains one of the most pressing unmet medical needs globally, and with our novel epigenetic approach, we are aiming to deliver the next generation of pain therapeutics without the risks associated with opioids. We look forward to strengthening transatlantic collaborations, accelerating innovative therapies, and bringing meaningful solutions to patients around the world,” said Moreno.
Foley and Moreno are also part of the 2025 class of Termeer Fellows and will participate in the fellowship’s multi-faceted curriculum and gain access to its diverse network of innovators and entrepreneurs.
About the Transatlantic Connections Award
In July 2019, the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, created and signed a Memorandum of Understanding laying the basis for a Massachusetts-Netherlands Transatlantic Life Sciences Partnership. The Transatlantic Connections Award was established in 2021 with support from the Termeer Foundation and Health-Holland. The Award recognizes and honors two life science entrepreneurs, one in the United States and one in the Netherlands, who are leading innovative biomedical research activities, and whose programs have the potential to strengthen relations between the two life science regions. Biotechnology leaders who qualify and are selected as Transatlantic Connections Award honorees will become members of the Class of Termeer Fellows and receive membership in the Termeer network, an ever-expanding group of emerging and established healthcare innovators.
About The Termeer Foundation
The Termeer Foundation is a nonprofit organization working to connect the world of healthcare innovators until every patient has a cure. We build and support an ever-expanding network of biotech entrepreneurs, CEOs, academics, and other innovators because we believe that helping people succeed will ultimately help their innovations reach patients. Our support includes mentoring, networking, professional development, and financial grants intended to facilitate connections, break down silos, strengthen skillsets, and ultimately enable a diverse array of current and future healthcare leaders who bring much-needed solutions to patients. Find out more about The Termeer Foundation and how you can support, engage with, and join our network at termeerfoundation.org and on LinkedIn @TermeerFoundation.