When the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) brought its BIO on the American Road (BOTAR) tour to Ohio, it wasn’t just another stop, it was a powerful validation of what we already know: Ohio is a national leader in precision medicine, cell and gene therapy, and biomanufacturing.
From Columbus to the broader Ohio Discovery Corridor, the tour highlighted the strength of our ecosystem, the depth of our partnerships, and the momentum driving innovation from bench to bedside.
A National Spotlight on Ohio’s Biotech Ecosystem
Ohio’s life sciences sector employs more than 65,000 people and continues to deliver breakthrough innovations to patients around the world.
During the April 28 visit led by BIO President & CEO John F. Crowley, industry leaders experienced firsthand how Ohio is translating scientific discovery into real-world impact.
As Crowley noted during the tour, building a leading biotech hub requires talent, capital, research excellence, infrastructure, and vision, and Ohio is demonstrating strength across all fronts.
Collaboration in Action
A defining theme of the visit was a deeply collaborative model that brings together academia, healthcare, industry, and public partners.
At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, one of the world’s leading gene therapy research centers, BIO participants saw how early innovation has scaled into global impact. Notably, researchers there contributed to two of the first eight FDA-approved gene therapies.
Beyond discovery, Nationwide Children’s has built a model for technology transfer and commercialization, ensuring that breakthroughs don’t stay in the lab, they reach patients.
Equally important is their leadership in accelerating clinical trials, helping move therapies from concept to first-in-human studies more efficiently, an increasingly critical advantage in global competition.
Ohio State: Advancing the Future of Precision Medicine
The tour continued at the Ohio Life Sciences Industry Hub on The Ohio State University campus, where leaders gathered for a lunch roundtable hosted within the Ohio Life Sciences office space. More than 30 biotech entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry leaders convened to discuss how to further strengthen Ohio’s life sciences ecosystem.
After lunch, up in the OLS office space, leaders across the Wexner Medical Center, The James, Gene Therapy Institute, and research enterprises are pushing the boundaries of precision medicine.
From pioneering gene therapies for rare neurological disorders to developing next-generation non-viral delivery systems, Ohio State is expanding what’s possible in treatment innovation.
Their work to streamline clinical trials, through initiatives like multi-institutional collaboration, further strengthens Ohio’s ability to bring therapies to patients faster.
From Research to Manufacturing: A Complete Innovation Ecosystem
One of Ohio’s greatest advantages, and a key takeaway from the BOTAR tour, is our end-to-end life sciences value chain.
At Sarepta Therapeutics’ Genetic Therapies Center of Excellence, BIO leaders saw how Ohio supports not just research, but also large-scale manufacturing. The 140,000-square-foot facility represents a major investment in the future of genetic medicine and reinforces Ohio’s position as a hub for advanced biomanufacturing.
This ability to support the full lifecycle, from discovery to development to distribution, is what sets Ohio apart.
Ohio Life Sciences Perspective: A State Built for Growth
At Ohio Life Sciences, we were proud to help showcase how our state delivers a uniquely integrated ecosystem.
As our President and CEO Eddie Pauline shared during the visit, Ohio offers unmatched access points for innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs—whether they are entering through research, clinical development, manufacturing, or logistics.
Through the Ohio Discovery Corridor and strategic investments like JobsOhio’s $300 million commitment to innovation districts, we are intentionally building the infrastructure, talent pipelines, and wet lab capacity needed to support continued growth.
Our focus remains clear:
- Keep innovation in Ohio
- Support commercialization pathways
- Ensure patients benefit from breakthroughs developed here
Looking Ahead: From Momentum to Leadership
The BIO on the American Road tour reinforced what we see every day:
Ohio is not just participating in the future of biotechnology; we are helping lead it.
With strengths in precision medicine, cell and gene therapy, and biomanufacturing, combined with a culture of collaboration, Ohio is positioned to continue accelerating innovation and improving patient outcomes worldwide.
As we look ahead, the Ohio Life Sciences Association remains committed to advancing this momentum, bringing together partners across the ecosystem to ensure Ohio continues to grow as a premier destination for life sciences innovation.
