BIO International Convention Celebrates Another Successful Year as Biotech Industry’s Largest and Most Influential Event
19,500+ attendees from 70 countries converged in San Diego for BIO 2024 to discuss breakthroughs in business, innovation, and access
Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) is proud to conclude the 2024 BIO International Convention in San Diego, held last week June 3-6, 2024. 1,400 exhibitors and more than 19,500 attendees from 70 countries came together for four full days of programming designed to propel the biotechnology industry forward. BIO 2024 also exceeded its prior record of partnering meetings with over 61,000 held this year. From patient advocacy to policy initiatives and next generation biotherapeutics, BIO 2024 showcased the innovative breakthroughs to help solve the world’s biggest problems.
“There was a great spirit of hope that resonated throughout the Convention halls this year. It was a hope and excitement based upon the convergence of the brightest minds in science, business, government, and patient advocacy all coming together with an extraordinary focus on healing, fueling, and feeding the world,” said John F. Crowley, President & CEO, BIO. “As Christopher Reeve once said, ‘biotechnology is just a great big word that means hope.’ It is that spirit that I continue to see in all corners of our industry around the globe as we advance policies and priorities that will propel the science forward and expand access for patients and people worldwide. It is my hope that every day, more and more people will enjoy the life changing benefits of what we do.”
BIO 2024 featured an inspiring discussion about leadership from Four-Star Admiral, Retired U.S. Navy (SEAL), and the Former Chancellor of The University of Texas System, William McRaven. Award-winning actress and author, Viola Davis shared her powerful story about what it really means to be a loving and caring human being in the face of immense adversity in life with former CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, spoke about regulatory innovations in the industry and highlighted specifically the importance of a resilient manufacturing supply chain that includes major efforts to redomicile key parts of that supply chain in the United States in order to prevent future drug shortages, especially at times of global crisis.
In addition to Admiral McRaven’s insights on the important role the biotech community plays, Jason Kelly, Ph.D., Ginkgo Bioworks CEO and Chair of the US National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, shared his perspective on the immense power and potential of biotech. Leaders from the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, and the White House led a multi-panel session on partnering with the U.S. government on the development of medical countermeasures. They discussed domestic and international approaches to national health security, including how the industry can best partner on strategies to achieve the 100 Day Mission and all-hazards preparedness by applying development tools, new platforms, expanded manufacturing capacity, and strong collaboration to address unique national security threats.
“On behalf of the BIO Board of Directors, I would like to thank all the attendees who came together for BIO 2024,” said, Ted W. Love, MD, BIO Board & Health Section Chair. “Each year, I am inspired by the passion that resonates within our industry and the desire to find treatments, cures and solutions to today’s biggest challenges. I am proud to work alongside colleagues dedicated to discovering, developing, and delivering treatments to patients to enhance their lives and the lives of people around them.”
BIO introduced nine new directors to its board of directors across its three governing boards representing Agriculture & Environment, Emerging Companies, and Health. The new directors are Jake Becraft, PhD, Strand Therapeutics, John Butler, Akebia, Marianne De Backer, PhD, Vir Biotechnology, Kyle Gano, PhD, Neurocrine Biosciences, Kate Haviland, Blueprint Medicines, David Hirschi, Simplot Plant Sciences, Neil Kumar, PhD, BridgeBio Pharma, Magi Richani, Alpine Bio, and Michael Schoen, BeiGene.
In addition, for the 2024-2025 term, William Newell of Sutro Biopharma was recently appointed as BIO Board Associate Vice Chair & Secretary, joining officers Ted W. Love, MD as BIO Board & Health Section Chair, Fritz Bittenbender of Genentech as BIO Board & Health Section Vice Chair, and Brad Zakes of Cerevast Medical as BIO Board Treasurer.
The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) is the world’s largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.