New Jersey Showcases Life Science Leaders and Innovations

On Jun 12, 2015

New Jersey will showcase its business strengths in the life science industry to a global audience next week at the world’s largest biotechnology conference, BIO International, being held at the Philadelphia Convention Center on June 15-18.

More than 15,000 attendees are expected to attend this year’s BIO International Convention, which regularly attracts thousands of the most powerful and influential biotech and pharma players from all over the world. Representatives from more than 65 countries will participate in business partnering and networking to share ideas and discuss new innovations in the industry.

“With one of the world’s largest life science events happening right in our backyard, we’ve gotten bigger and better for this year’s BIO,” said Kim Guadagno, Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey.  “We’re ready to showcase the state’s latest innovations by bringing international attendees to tour our state and hosting powerhouse executives and top researchers at our booth.  There’s a reason 14 of the top 20 largest biopharma companies have their headquarters or major facilities here—New Jersey is a leader in life sciences.”

BioNJ, in partnership with Choose New Jersey, will host the New Jersey Pavilion, Booth #4217, at the front of the Exhibit Hall. The Pavilion will showcase the diversity of the life sciences industry in New Jersey and tout the state’s strengths in order to attract additional biotech companies to the state. In addition to BioNJ and Choose New Jersey, a wide variety of representatives from the NJ ecosystem will be represented in the Pavilion, including members of the Partnership for Action: the Business Action Center, the Office of the Secretary for Higher Education, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority; the Healthcare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ); and other premier educational institutions and innovative biopharma and biotech companies.

“We’re eager to showcase New Jersey’s dynamic life sciences ecosystem and demonstrate why we are a global leader in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries,” said Debbie Hart, President and CEO of BioNJ. “This convention gives us the ability to expand our existing relationships within the industry and establish new ones.”

New Jersey boasts a growing, robust life sciences industry presence. The state is home to 14 of the world’s 20 largest pharmaceutical, medical technology and diagnostics companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, and Sanofi. In 2014, there were more than 3,100 life sciences establishments and more than 380 biotechnology companies operating within the state.

New Jersey is also home to the world’s largest clinical research organizations, such as Covance, Inventiv Health Clinical, Parexel, and Pharma Trials, and world-renowned research institutions, including the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine (CABM) and the Advanced Research at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. State-of-the-art patient access facilities in the areas of neuroscience, oncology, pediatrics, cardiac and pulmonary are also located within the state.

“New Jersey representatives will meet companies from around the world to encourage them to create new jobs in the state through new facilities and partnerships with existing New Jersey companies and institutions,” said Michele Brown, President & CEO of Choose New Jersey, Inc.  “Meetings at previous BIO shows have already borne fruit with announcements by life sciences companies for new or expanded operations within the state.”

New Jersey will be spotlighted throughout the five-day convention, including through Showcase Tours of the state. Hosted by Choose New Jersey, tour participants will visit Rutgers University, where they will see the world’s largest university-based biorepository, RUCDR Infinite Biologics, and the Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Advanced Laboratory, which is working with more than 30 pharmaceutical companies. They will view presentations by researchers at the Center for Integrative Proteomics Research and the Rutgers Translational Sciences; the Coriell Institute of Medical Research, a world leader in biobanking, induced pluripotent stem cells, and the second largest CLIA-certified genotyping laboratory in the nation; and Rowan University’s The Cave® Virtual Reality Lab, a 100-cubic-foot VR environment in which teams conduct detailed—and cost-effective—research for government and business.  At the Lab, tour participants will also meet with members of the Rutgers-Camden, Rowan Medical School Board of Governors.

On Tuesday, June 16, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno and Choose New Jersey will host their 5^th annual dinner for prospective companies at the historic Union Trust, which will feature a special performance by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. The dinner has been generously sponsored by HINJ, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company.

Additionally, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno will be walking the trade show floor, making remarks within the New Jersey Pavilion, and serving as the keynote speaker at the Tuesday night dinner. BIO participants are invited to attend a multitude of presentations led by New Jersey thought leaders on topics such as “Innovation, Creativity and Perseverance: A Discussion with New Jersey Biotech Leaders” and “How to Work with New Jersey’s Research Universities” within the Pavilion’s Innovation Theater. Click here for a complete listing of the programs being featured. BioNJ and members of the Partnership for Action will be also lead a presentation on the benefits of locating your company in New Jersey during the Global Innovation Hub taking place on Wednesday, June 17.

“New Jersey is rich in talent and resources. This year’s presence at the BIO convention will surely help more companies recognize what the state can offer the life sciences and biotech industries,” said Stuart Peltz, Ph.D., CEO of PTC Therapeutics and BioNJ Chairman.

Convention attendees can also look forward to face-to-face meetings with thousands of companies; hundreds of company presentations from the industry’s up-and-coming innovators; world-renowned speakers leading keynote luncheons and super sessions;  session tracks covering timely issues in R&D, IP, business development, commercialization, digital health, and personalized medicine; and more.

Additionally, they can visit more than 1,700 exhibitors who offer a competitive edge in all fields—from digital health and diagnostics to bioprocesses.

Related Articles: