For Immediate Release: November 14, 2025

Umoja Biopharma Named Company of the Year, Ambrosia Biosciences Recognized as Rising Star of the Year, Enveda Receives Deal of the Year Award

Denver, Colorado – November 14, 2025 – Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) announced the winners of its 22nd Annual Awards Celebration, presented by AGC Biologics, recognizing the people and organizations advancing Colorado’s position as a leading hub for health innovation. The awards spotlight leaders whose work accelerates breakthrough discoveries and delivers impact for patients in Colorado and around the world.

CBSA’s 2025 Company of the Year, sponsored by Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Umoja Biopharma, a clinical-stage leader in in vivo cell therapies with development and manufacturing operations in Louisville. Umoja’s platform engineers immune cells directly in the body to expand access to advanced therapies. In 2025, the company raised $100 million in Series C financing, advanced its lead oncology program with FDA Fast Track designation, and earned recognition from Endpoints News and Fierce Biotech as one of the year’s most promising biotech companies.

CBSA also celebrates Company of the Year finalist Enliven Therapeutics. 

The Rising Star of the Year award went to Ambrosia Biosciences, a Colorado-founded company formed when a world-class team of medicinal chemists from Pfizer and Array Biopharma were reunited under the leadership of CEO Nick Traggis and Kyle Lefkoff of Boulder Ventures. Powered by leaders with deep Array BioPharma experience, Ambrosia is targeting metabolic disorders that affect millions of patients. The company came out of stealth with a $16 million Series A round led by BVF Fund and Boulder Ventures, later expanded to $25 million with an investment from Merck, and is advancing its small-molecule programs from the former Array and Pfizer campus.

CBSA also congratulates Rising Star of the Year finalists EnteroTrack, RheumaGen, and VitriVax.

Enveda received the Deal of the Year Award, sponsored by BioMed Realty, for a landmark financing year that underscored Colorado’s strength in scaling life sciences companies. Headquartered in Boulder, Enveda is pioneering the discovery and development of a new generation of small-molecule medicines derived from life’s chemistry. In 2025, the company closed an oversubscribed $150 million Series D financing following a $150 million Series C earlier in the year, reaching unicorn status in only five years and reinforcing Colorado as a place where science and talent grow globally significant companies.

“Tonight’s honorees show what it means to be Driven. By Science. For Life.,” said Elyse Blazevich, President & CEO of Colorado BioScience Association and President of the Colorado BioScience Institute. “They turn pressure into progress, clear paths through uncertainty, and create opportunity for patients, talent, and communities across our state. Colorado’s life sciences leaders continue to deliver bold innovations to patients, and prove that this is a place where science thrives.”

The 22nd Annual Awards Celebration, held at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and presented by AGC Biologics, brought together a record audience, more than 400 leaders from across Colorado’s life sciences community. The evening recognized companies, partners, educators, advocates, and policymakers who exemplify collaboration, resilience, and commitment to improving and saving lives.

Additional Honorees

Excellence in Manufacturing Award, Sponsored by Brownstein: Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies has chosen Colorado for growth for more than sixty years, with facilities in Boulder and Frederick. In Frederick, Agilent manufactures therapeutic nucleic acids for genetic and RNA-based therapies that are central to the future of precision medicine. The company announced a $725 million expansion that doubles manufacturing capacity, adds nearly 200,000 square feet of advanced space, and creates more than 160 high-quality jobs, marking one of the largest life sciences manufacturing investments in state history. Agilent also plays a key role in workforce development through its leadership in the biochemistry P-TECH program, which prepares students for careers in science and technology.

Building Momentum Award: BioMed Realty

BioMed Realty received the Building Momentum Award for its investment and vision in Flatiron Park, a one-million-square-foot life sciences campus in Boulder and the largest commercial real estate transaction in Colorado history at $625 million. The 24-building campus houses global leaders and high-growth innovators across life sciences and technology. BioMed Realty also launched a first-of-its-kind quantum incubator connecting the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and Colorado School of Mines to explore how quantum advances can accelerate life sciences discovery. The company’s work demonstrates how thoughtful infrastructure investments fuel long-term growth in Colorado’s life sciences community.

Business Partner of the Year: Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation

The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) was honored as Business Partner of the Year for its leadership in elevating Colorado as a top choice for life sciences expansion and relocation. In 2025, Metro Denver EDC showcased Colorado’s strengths during Site Selection Week, connecting the Colorado Hub for Health Impact campaign and life sciences leaders with global decision-makers. The organization also sponsored CBSA’s Drive to Five: Colorado Life Sciences Innovation Tour, helping tell the story of talent, infrastructure, and collaboration across the state. Metro Denver EDC’s partnership reflects a shared commitment to making Colorado a destination of choice for companies Driven. By Science. For Life.

Educator of the Year, Sponsored by Fisher Scientific: Katherine Goodman, Ph.D., University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz

Dr. Katherine Goodman, Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz, received the Educator of the Year Award for her outstanding contributions to shaping Colorado’s future life sciences workforce. With more than fifteen years in higher education, she leads course design and coordination across more than ten sections each year, engaging nearly every engineering student through project-based learning that builds professional skills and confidence. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom through faculty development and learning communities, and she is helping launch the new Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs program to prepare more professionals for in-demand roles in Colorado’s life sciences sector.

Institute Leadership Award, Sponsored by Biodesix: Colorado Succeeds

Colorado Succeeds received the Institute Leadership Award for advancing a talent strategy that aligns education with industry needs. Partnering with Colorado BioScience Institute, Colorado Succeeds helped launch the Life Sciences Employer Talent Collaborative, a strategic, employer-led initiative using the Talent Pipeline Management framework. This work brings employers, educators, and community partners together to identify shared needs, design new education pathways, and strengthen Colorado’s economic competitiveness with a workforce ready to thrive in science, technology, and advanced industries.

Patient Champion of the Year: Bridget Dandaraw-Seritt, Advocates for Compassionate Therapy Now

Bridget Dandaraw-Seritt was honored as CBSA’s first-ever Patient Champion of the Year for her remarkable leadership as a patient advocate. With more than twenty years of experience in public policy, community building, and education, she founded Advocates for Compassionate Therapy Now to connect, educate, and support Colorado’s patient community. As a rare disease patient herself, she brings a vital perspective to complex policy discussions. Bridget speaks at CBSA’s Day at the Capitol, participates in Prescription Drug Affordability Board meetings, and serves on the Rare Disease Advisory Council. Her work keeps medically complex families informed, supported, and connected, and centers patient voices in decisions that shape access and affordability.

Legislators of the Year: Senator Julie Gonzales, Senator Scott Bright, Representative Sheila Lieder, and Representative Lori Garcia Sander

Each year, CBSA recognizes legislators who champion health innovation, support patient access, and help maintain a pro-science, pro-innovation business climate.

• Senator Julie Gonzales, who represents Denver, is honored for advancing legislation that supports patient access to medicines and care, including efforts to lower healthcare costs and increase transparency in prescription discount programs.
• Senator Scott Bright, representing Adams and Weld counties, is recognized for his commitment to understanding Colorado’s life sciences community and his service on the Health and Human Services Committee, where he brings a thoughtful perspective to discussions on patient access and affordability.
• Representative Sheila Lieder, from Jefferson County, is honored for her leadership as Vice Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, her focus on healthcare affordability, and her ability to connect health policy with workforce opportunities.
• Representative Lori Garcia Sander, representing Weld and Larimer counties, is recognized for defending Colorado’s life sciences ecosystem by working to mitigate harmful policy proposals related to prescription medicine access and for supporting legislation that advances innovation and patient access.

Together, these legislators demonstrate the importance of bipartisan support for science, patients, and a strong life sciences economy in Colorado.

Galvanizing Keynote

The event also featured an inspiring keynote from Aron Ralston, whose story of survival and determination galvanized the audience. Aron Ralston’s extraordinary story about surviving six days trapped by an 800-pound boulder, freeing himself by amputating his own arm, and then returning to elite mountaineering, reminded our community that transformation often emerges from our greatest challenges. Aron’s perspective resonated deeply with a community that tackles complex challenges every day in the pursuit of better outcomes for patients.

“Aron’s story reminds us that perseverance changes what is possible,” said Matt Teter, Vice President of Partnerships at Colorado BioScience Association. “His resilience and clarity in the face of adversity speak directly to the spirit of our life sciences community. We all left the room energized by his example and ready to drive our work forward with renewed focus.”

Sponsor Support

Colorado BioScience Association extends sincere appreciation to the sponsors who made the 22nd Annual Awards Celebration possible: Presenting Sponsor AGC Biologics; Award Presentation Sponsors Biodesix, BioMed Realty, Brownstein, and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade; Cocktail Reception Sponsor KBI Biopharma; Wine Pour Sponsor RheumaGen; and Supporting Sponsors Agilent, BNBuilders, Fitzsimons Innovation Community, and Holland & Hart, along with Champion Sponsors AdvaMed and PhRMA.

About Colorado BioScience Association

Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) creates co-opportunity for the Colorado life sciences community. CBSA champions a collaborative life sciences ecosystem and advocates for a supportive business climate. From concept to commercialization, member companies and organizations drive global health innovations, products and services that improve and save lives. The association leads Capital and Growth, Education and Networking, Policy and Advocacy, and Workforce Cultivation to make its members stronger, together. Learn more: cobioscience.com

About Colorado Hub for Health Impact

Smart, inclusive, forward-thinking, and highly educated people lead life sciences innovation in Colorado, the Hub for Health Impact. Here, in the center of the United States, the country’s top talent transforms every aspect of health and care. Our community is right-sized for high-growth organizations, with excellent infrastructure, lab and office space, outstanding academic and research institutions, and successful companies at all stages of commercialization. More than 20 life sciences organizations, economic development groups, local governments, developers, and builders joined together in 2024, launching the national economic development campaign to attract high-growth health innovation companies to Colorado. More: coloradohealthimpact.com. 

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Media Contact

Sheliah Reynolds
Primavera Group for Colorado BioScience Association
(720) 289-4739 sheliah@theprimaveragroup.com