NC wins BIO's Governor of the Year Honor

Governor Cooper speaks at NCBiotech
N.C. Governor Roy Cooper announces Eli Lily Expansion at NCBiotech

North Carolina's life sciences successes have earned Governor Roy Cooper the honor of the BIO 2020 Governor of the Year, announced today at the North Carolina Biosciences Organization's (NCBIO) annual meeting.
 
Cooper said he was grateful for the honor.

"But a lot of North Carolinians should share that honor," he said in pre-recorded remarks from the Governor's Mansion. "Innovations in the life sciences are transforming the way we approach treating diseases, environmental sustainability, and food production."

 

North Carolina's life sciences industry highlights

The award shines a spotlight on the state's life sciences strengths: a home for cell and gene therapy manufacturing; companies delivering faster diagnostic testing, treatments, and new vaccines; and the fifth leading state for academic bioscience research and development. Major announcements from Beam Therapeutics, Grifols and GRAIL in recent months add to the 3,600 jobs announced in 2019, showcasing the economic benefit of life sciences.
 
North Carolina's agricultural feedstock and industrial bioscience industry, which generates more than $7 billion in economic activity for the state were also mentioned. This strength was highlighted in the recent virtual BIO Impact Ag & Environment conference, initially scheduled to be held in Raleigh. In two virtual tours and panel discussions, BASF, NC State, Novozymes, Pairwise and Syngenta gave a behind-the-scenes look at crops, nutrition, and enzyme production. 
 

About the Award

BIO’s annual award recognizes governors for leadership in public service, commitment to public health, and dedication to advancing biotechnology in their state. Previous awardees have included New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.
 
"Biotechnology innovation is helping us better heal and feed the world. And North Carolina is leading the way," Cooper said.
 

 

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