BioUtah today joined the Biotech Across America State Symposium in Washington, D.C. to discuss the strategic importance of strong state and local biotechnology ecosystems in bolstering national security and economic resilience.
The symposium is a continuation of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB)’s Biotech Across America Roadshow which is an ongoing effort to highlight the companies, places, and people shaping the future of U.S. biotechnology around the U.S. This event was organized in partnership with the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) and the Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC).
This convening comes at a critical moment for U.S. biotechnology as artificial intelligence converges with biology, advances in the life sciences are transforming all sectors of the economy, from healthcare to agriculture to energy, and more. Our industries are increasingly being reshaped by biotech, and strengthening this sector is a national security imperative. State and regional initiatives are key to supporting the broader U.S. biotechnology industry, particularly in building workforce pipelines, supporting commercialization, and fostering greater bio literacy.
For the last decade or more, Utah has been one of the fastest growing life sciences communities in the U.S., employing directly and indirectly over 180,000 people, the life sciences industry is vibrant and a significant contributor to Utah’s economy generating more than $22B in GDP annually. Collaboration between industry, academia and government assures continued growth of the life sciences in Utah, named the best state in America by U.S. News and World Report for three consecutive years.
“Innovation is a fundamental thread in the tapestry of Utah’s life sciences community. That innovative culture has led to significant growth and development of products and technologies that have benefitted patients world-wide,” stated Kelvyn Cullimore, president and CEO of BioUtah. “We are proud to partner with the NSCEB on their most important mission.”
"As the NSCEB has traveled around the country, we've discovered biotech stakeholders turning local ingenuity and talent into national strength at every stop,” said NSCEB Vice Chair Michelle Rozo. “The hard work and dedication represented at the Biotech Across America State Symposium proves that regional biotech ecosystems are the foundation for durable economic resilience. But there is more work to be done at the federal, state, and local level, and biotech voices from every corner of the nation will play a vital role in maintaining the U.S. position as the global biotechnology leader.”
