Innovations

Iowa’s ‘biotechnology summit’ is March 21-22

The Iowa Biotechnology Association will hold its annual “Partnering For Growth” forum March 21 and 22 in Ankeny.

One of the keynote speakers will be Dr. Feng Zhang of the Broad Institute at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Zhang, a native of Des Moines, is a pioneer in the development of CRISPR-Cas9, a technology that simplified the process of replacing DNA letters in an organism’s genome.

Zhang will join other prominent keynote speakers including Dr. Robert Zolynas, vice president, research and development, Bayer Health Care; Dr. Mike Stern, chief operating officer of Climate Corp.; and Dr. Robert Baur, chief global economist of Principal Global Investors.

According to a news release, “IowaBio’s Partnering For Growth Forum is the state’s ‘biotechnology summit’ targeted to senior leaders in biotech who have funding, human resources, issues management, business development and research in their areas of responsibility. The event also attracts public leaders who lead programs assisting the biotech sector from a funding, regulatory or economic development perspective. Partnering For Growth features a series of educational presentations, panel discussions and networking activities aimed at sharing best practices and opportunities for collaboration within the industry.

Partnering For Growth also features the Biotech Innovation Showcase component of the event providing a platform for biotech leaders in Iowa and beyond to present their innovations to potential investors from throughout the country.”

We discussed the upcoming forum and the biotech economy in Iowa with IowaBio executive director Joe Hrdlicka.

AUDIO: Joe Hrdlicka