BIOtech Now
Theresa Brady
“The world is beginning to grasp that we’ve entered the dawn of a golden age of medicine. It’s an age of hope. It’s an age of possibility. And it’s an age of healing. No disease will escape our scientists anymore. None.” – Jim Greenwood, CEO of Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
Convention doors are shut, and exhibits are breaking down, but the 17,300 BIO 2019 attendees who rallied under the theme “It Starts With One” will take with them newfound motivation, learnings and connections for delivering biotechnology innovations and solutions to the world’s toughest challenges.
BIO 2019 in Philadelphia gave us four days of inspiring programming and exhibitions, including 126 educational sessions, more than 800 speakers, over 250 company presentations, 1,800 exhibitors, unlimited networking opportunities and unparalleled partnering.
In fact, attendees broke their own Guinness World Record for “The Largest Business Partnering Event” – set at BIO 2018 in Boston – by participating in over 48,500 partnering meetings at this year’s Convention.
BIO 2019 recognized industry trailblazers and future leaders whose outstanding research and contributions to biotechnology have paved the way for innovative solutions to the world’s most critical public health issues.
- 15 student finalists of the 2019 BioGENEius Challenge – the premier biotechnology competition for high school students from across the globe – participated in the final round of competition at BIO 2019, with Neil Deshmukh of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, taking home the grand prize.
- The 2019 Henri A. Termeer Biotechnology Visionary Award – created in honor of the late Genzyme CEO – was awarded to Emil D. Kakkis, President and CEO of Ultragenyx, for his transformative work to accelerate research and development of novel treatments for rare diseases.
- Janet Woodcock, Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the Food and Drug Administration, was presented the Science History Institute’s 2019 Biotechnology Heritage Award.
BIO also welcomed Jeremy M. Levin, CEO of Ovid Therapeutics, as the new Chair of BIO’s Board of Directors for the 2019-2020 term, elected at this year’s Convention. The event also debuted a new morning TV show, Good Day BIO, dedicated to all things BIO 2019. Attendees heard from industry leaders and kept up to date on Convention activities as the show aired at select hotels and played throughout the day at the Convention.
As the packed week comes to a close, we thank all of our attendees, sponsors, media and the city of Philadelphia for their contributions to BIO 2019. We look forward to seeing all of you in San Diego at BIO 2020, June 8-11.
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