North Carolina biotech base takes a stage at BIO 2013

This Monday, the Biotechnology Industry Organization kicks off its 20^th BIO International Convention in Chicago, the world’s largest event for the biotech industry. As part of its 25th anniversary in delivering life science marketing services, Forma is among the 58 partners in North Carolina Pavilion #2617. The pavilion was organized by North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBiotech), NCBIO, and Thrive in North Carolina.

North Carolina is among the top-three states in bioscience employment, and its biotech base – a $59 billion economy and 237,000 jobs – is one of the fastest-growing among the other major biotech states. It’s the nation’s leading hub for contract research and testing companies and a world leader in vaccine research and manufacturing.

All this is thanks in no small part to NCBiotech, the oldest new-tech organization of its kind in the world. Biotech was on the cusp of becoming a new industry in 1984 when then-Gov. Jim Hunt and other state leaders established the Center to capitalize on North Carolina’s economic promise – basically to secure a future of meaningful employment statewide as its traditional tobacco, textile and furniture markets were eroding. In addition to its headquarters here in RTP, NCBiotech has 5 regional offices in Asheville, Greater Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greenville, and Wilmington.

It’s an exciting time in biotech, and there are few better regions to be working, collaborating, and building than North Carolina. More than 1/3 of last year’s 16,000+ attendees were international, with U.S. governors and more than 100 royalty, ministerial, and other top level public officials from overseas among them. Certainly, attendees at BIO 2013 will find no shortage of opportunity to develop partnerships and collaborations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and academic researchers and investors.

Forma has provided biotech organizations from all sectors and of all sizes with branding, differentiation, positioning and messaging, and many other life science marketing services for 25 years. We’re looking forward to being a part of this event, and certainly proud to be a sponsor of the NC Pavilion. Stop by and see us!