Biotech accelerator Blackbird Laboratories launches in Baltimore with Ravens owner’s support

The quiet North Baltimore community of Woodberry now houses the offices of a new life sciences accelerator, Blackbird Laboratories, led by CEO Matt Tremblay. The accelerator’s primary focus is on therapeutics, new medicines and university-based startup spinoffs working to advance drugs into clinical trials.

Tremblay, who has a background in drug discovery from Scripps Research Institute (where he was COO) and a Ph. D. in chemistry from Columbia University, evaluated Baltimore’s capabilities in life sciences and medicine before relocating to the region with his family. He now plans to drive increased investment in Charm City.

“And, you know, when I was approached by the Bisciotti Family [Foundation] office to try to come to Baltimore and help to stimulate more investment in the technology ecosystem, it made sense to me based on what I saw in terms of core competencies that are here — to have a focus on life sciences and then, within that, to have a focus on medicines,” Tremblay told Technical.ly.

Tremblay noted that a substantial portion of his staff, about three-quarters of a dozen employees, now resides in Baltimore. Blackbird has already made new hires for such positions as entrepreneur-in-residence, venture partners, strategic planning and program management. They plan to continue recruiting for roles like a venture partner in oncology research.

And yes, it’s that Bisciotti family: Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, hence the name “Blackbird” in reflection of the birds’ feather color.

Blackbird provides non-dilutive “impact capital” and doesn’t require equity. This multi-faceted accelerator supports university-based startups transitioning into independent companies while offering potential investments through a separate fund. However, Blackbird outlined that it won’t influence valuations and will follow other investors’ terms if they decide to participate.

“We’re trying to actually say, if these are the best technologies that exist in Baltimore, let’s help, you know, shape them into really successful companies,” Tremblay said.

In addition to smaller investments made to Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures earlier this year, Bisciotti’s foundation provided a $100 million founding grant that — alongside research collaborations with Johns Hopkins University; University of Maryland, Baltimore; and the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, which focuses on neuropsychiatric diseases — will support Blackbird in its claimed mission to engineer a future with better outcomes for patients facing unmet medical needs.

While Blackbird funds research projects with such partner institutions, Tremblay indicated that it also plans to offer in-kind support from Blackbird staff and occasional contracted experts. He also mentioned a steering committee that Blackbird and its partners might form for the licensing of research-related intellectual property.

These moves, along with its participation in the local consortium behind the successful Economic Development Administration Tech Hub bid, position Blackbird to possibly bridge the funding gap for early-stage research firms. Tremblay believes this challenge is more effectively addressed in cities like Boston, San Francisco, San Diego and Philadelphia. Blackbird is already suspending cables for that bridge, so to speak, with actions like a meeting Tremblay said the fund hosted at a football game.

“We hosted about 30 people that represented about 12 unique investors who really don’t currently invest in Baltimore but were really excited about what we’re doing now,” he said. “They came here to watch a football game and spend half a day with us. But all of those folks [that] had already met with us understood our business model. They were intrigued by it.”

Tremblay believes that this is the opportune moment for impact investments in Baltimore. He quoted The Beatles, whose “Blackbird” lyrics, “You were only waiting for this moment to arise,” are displayed on a “giant picture” in the Woodberry offices.