BIO 2019 Convention Recap

June 3-6, representatives from Wake County Economic Development, Morrisville Chamber of Commerce, City of Raleigh Economic Development, Town of Holly Springs, NC Biotechnology Center, and EDPNC attended BIO International Convention in Philadelphia, PA. Members from Wake County and the Triangle region have been attending BIO International Convention since 2012. More than 16,000 attendees from 67 countries gathered to partner, network, and discuss the bioscience innovation ecosystem at the largest biotech event in the word.

This year, the conference offered an "Innovation Zone" for early-stage biotech companies as a result between BIO and the National Institute of Health. Dignify Therapeutics, a local RTP drug development company was selected for the Innovation Zone for developing novel bladder and bowel therapies to restore voluntary control. Many other North Carolina and Raleigh born companies were represented at the Exhibition such as FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, and the NC Biotech Center. 

Ashley Cagle, Assistant Executive Director of WCED, stated the quantity of NC life science companies represented at BIO further proved how broad North Carolina’s reach is in the biotechnology industry. “With more than 600 life science companies in North Carolina, these companies employ over 63,000 per year., Of the 600 life science companies, more than 450 of them are in Wake County and the Research Triangle. The Triangle’s access to converging technologies is continuing to draw life science companies to the region.”

It is vital for the WCED team to attend conventions and tradeshows such as BIO to help spread awareness of Wake County. Connections made at these events translate into future partnerships and relationships. 

You can learn more about life sciences in Wake County here.