North Carolina Life Sciences Community Rallies at BIO 2023

The North Carolina Biotechnology Center and a host of partners showcased the strengths of North Carolina’s life sciences community at BIO 2023, the international biotechnology conference in Boston last week.  

BIO was organized by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, the world’s largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers, and related organizations, is the industry’s largest professional gathering. An estimated 20,000 conference attendees included business development executives, investors, research analysts, and media. 

NCBiotech’s staff and sponsors engaged with biotech leaders and companies interested in learning more about our vibrant life sciences community and growing, highly skilled workforce.  

“With BIO’s focus on human therapeutics, we demonstrated North Carolina’s strengths in biomanufacturing, clinical research, and research and development. We also highlighted our growing talent pool and training infrastructure, as well as the innovations from our robust start-ups and universities,” said Bill Bullock, senior vice president, economic development, and statewide operations, NCBiotech.

Marqueta Welton, chief of staff for North Carolina’s Department of Commerce, attended BIO educational sessions and engaged with attendees at the North Carolina exhibit. She also made an exhibit hall tour of several companies with headquarters or operations in North Carolina.

Sport Memorabilia Highlights University Innovation and Our Love for Basketball 

To promote North Carolina’s leading universities, research and development, innovation, and our love for basketball, NCBiotech held a daily drawing for sports memorabilia. This was a successful engagement tool that yielded several happy winners. 

The spirit of collaboration in North Carolina was evident with strong participation from our exhibit booth sponsors, including Biogen, BioPharma Crescent, Catalyst Biocampus, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, CMP/Camp Helix, Crescent Communities, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, Holly Springs Economic Development, Hub RTP (Research Triangle Park). University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Innovate Carolina and Wake County Economic Development. 

“We joined NCBiotech at BIO to show our support for the life sciences community in North Carolina,” said Carl Rees, manager of economic and community development for ElectriCities and BioPharma Crescent partner.  “We’re proud to be part of the efforts to showcase our state’s life sciences strengths and engage with companies interested in all that’s happening in North Carolina."  

North Carolina Reception 

NCBiotech and sponsors hosted the North Carolina reception on June 6, a great opportunity for those getting to know North Carolina to mingle with our life sciences community.  

“Attracting new companies to North Carolina is a prime reason to have a presence at a conference like BIO,” said Nathaniel Dick, senior business development manager for EDPNC. “The exhibit and reception provided ample opportunities to discuss North Carolina’s business-friendly climate, lower business operating costs, lower tax structure and more.” 

Competition to attract life sciences companies looking to establish a presence in North Carolinas in business-friendly states is highly competitive. Presenting a unified front for North Carolina throughout BIO’s four days goes a long way. NCBiotech staff pre-arranged partner meetings at the conference with such companies for weeks prior to the conference. 

“Meeting interested companies at BIO really helps put a personal touch to what might normally be a phone or video call,” said Mary Hecht-Kissell, vice president, corporate communications, NCBiotech. “We want to be here to provide those companies with a person who can connect them with the entire NC life sciences community.”