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Annual Awards Celebration: November 2025

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Colorado BioScience Association Applauds State’s Leading Life Sciences Innovators at 21st Annual Awards Celebration Presented by AGC Biologics

2024 Award Winners

Colorado BioScience Association celebrated the Colorado companies, organizations, and individuals who are forging Colorado’s life sciences frontier with their work to save and change lives at the 21st Annual Awards Celebration Presented by AGC in November at the Denver Center for Performing Arts’ Seawell Ballroom. Life sciences leaders gathered to celebrate ecosystem successes under sparkling lights, a setting that matched the ecosystem’s excitement.

Company of the Year: Edgewise Therapeutics

The 2024 Company of the Year is Edgewise Therapeutics, a Boulder-based leader in muscle disease research. The company is developing therapies for muscular dystrophies and serious cardiac conditions. Recognized for its patient-centered approach and recent $240 million funding round, Edgewise Therapeutics exemplifies the groundbreaking potential of Colorado’s life sciences sector.  

A finalist for the award was Paragon 28.

Rising Star of the Year: AOA Dx

The Rising Star of the Year award went to AOA Dx, a female-founded company that relocated to Denver in 2024. AOA Dx is transforming early cancer detection with its AI-driven diagnostic platform, achieving over 90% sensitivity and specificity for ovarian cancer. The company’s recent $17 million seed round highlights its trajectory in tackling one of the most challenging diseases affecting women worldwide. 

Finalists for the award were:  Ambrosia Biosciences and PhotonPharma.

Educator of the Year, Sponsored by Fisher Scientific: Lacee Sherman, Infinity Middle School

Lacee Sherman, Infinity Middle School, was recognized for nurturing students’ love of science at a critical age. After participating in Colorado BioScience Institute’s Classroom program called Research Experience for Teachers, she integrated what she learned at STAQ Pharma into classroom experiences. 

Institute Leadership Award: Zaragoza Briseno, Vice President of Operations and Plant Manager at TriSalus Life Sciences

Zaragoza Briseno, Vice President of Operations and Plant Manager at TriSalus Life Sciences, was recognized for serving as a corporate champion who actively supports Colorado BioScience Institute’s classroom, campus, and career programs. He seamlessly integrates The Institute’s programs into his company’s culture and workforce planning.    

Business Partner of the Year: Primavera Group

Primavera Group, was honored for the team’s instrumental role in advancing Colorado’s life sciences ecosystem. As a long-term partner to CBSA and the marketing communications leader for the Colorado Hub for Health Impact national economic development campaign, Primavera Group has elevated Colorado’s national profile through strategic brand leadership, storytelling, and positioning, drawing new companies, top-tier talent, and investors to the state. 

Legislators of the Year: Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez

CBSA’s legislators of the year have a deep understanding and appreciation for the global and human impact of the ecosystem’s discoveries and development efforts. Throughout the year they consistently advocated for the sector and work for legislation that fosters health innovation. 

Volunteer of the Year: CBSA’s Membership Committee

CBSA’s Membership Committee, was recognized for building an inclusive community with networking events for life sciences professionals.   

Building Momentum Award Presented by BioMed Realty: Colorado Hub for Health Impact Leaders​

The leaders who support Colorado Hub for Health Impact, including Afshin Safavi of Colorado Health and Tech Centers, Steve VanNurden of Fitzsimons Innovation Community, Raymond Gonzalez and Daniel Ryley of Metro Denver EDC, Jill Mendoza of the Town of Superior representing the U.S. 36 Collaborative, and April Giles, of the End Drug Shortages Alliance and the CBSA Board of Directors Development Committee. They led more than 20 partners supporting Colorado Hub for Health Impact, the national economic development campaign attracting new companies, talent, and investment to Colorado. 

Plan to join us for our 22nd Annual Awards Celebration Presented by AGC Biologics in November 2025!