Ebola, HIV, influenza, malaria and tuberculosis: These and other deadly diseases could someday be globally eradicated by vaccines. This is the mission of many in Maryland's life sciences community who will participate in the upcomingAtlantic Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics Summit, May 7-8 in Bethesda, Maryland.

Organized by theTech Council of Maryland, the summit plans to gather researchers, business leaders and State and federal officials involved in fostering vaccine and immunotherapeuticdevelopment.

"With more than 45 companies conducting 160 clinical trials, and many more novel biotherapeutics in development here in Maryland, as well as the foremost public health institutions, the state has established itself as the epicenter in vaccine and immunotherapeutic innovation," Phil Schiff, CEO of the Tech Council of Maryland said in a statement. "Our Summit is a way to bring together leaders in all facets of the vaccine and cancer immunotherapeutic market to discuss new opportunities, as well as ways to collaborate in order to advance healthcare around the world."

The summit will feature speakers and panelists frommany of Maryland's top biotech companies, includingSanaria Inc.,Novavax,Macrogenics,MedImmune,Emergent BioSolutions,MaxCyte,NexImmune,Protein PotentialandParagon Bioservices. TheVaccine Research Centerwithin theNational Institutes of Health, theNational Cancer Institute, the office of theU.S. Army Surgeon General, theWalter Reed Army Institute of Research, theUniversity of MarylandSchool of Medicine,Johns Hopkins Universityand other organizations and institutions will also participate.

"Life sciences companies, as well as the educational and government institutions, located in Maryland are leading the way in developing life-changing products addressing major health concerns around the world, and more are in the pipeline,"Stephen Hoffman, chief executive and scientific officer of Sanaria Inc., and chairman of the summit,said in a statement.

"Nine of the 50 most influential people in the world's vaccine industry are based in Maryland, according to a ranking byVaccine Nation.From cancer immunotherapy and therapeutic vaccines to vaccines for pandemic influenza, Ebola, HIV, TB, and malaria, Maryland's leaders are driving innovation and will be presenting us with their latest updates on progress at this incredibly exciting summit," saidHoffman.

TheBioMaryland Center, an office within theMaryland Department of Business and Economic Developmentwhich supports growth in the State's life sciences industry, is a contributing sponsor to the event.

Details on participants and online registration are available online through theevent's website.