2022 will be an important year of focus and investment for BioOhio as we reaffirm our role as the association that convenes, advocates for, and serves an industry working hard to keep people healthy, cure, and save lives. At BioOhio, I expect 2022 to be a year of focus and investment in priorities informed by my recent “listening tour” with member companies and stakeholders throughout the state.
Growth and investment in the bio, health, and life science industry are at an all-time high. Research at Ohio’s universities, hospitals, and other institutions is fueling tremendous startup activity, especially in therapeutics. Forge Biologics, Andelyn Biosciences, Sarepta Therapeutics, and AmplifyBio are becoming household names. Digital Health companies like Olive, Updox, and Enlace Health are attracting hundreds of millions in growth capital investment. Anchor biotech brands like Amgen now call Ohio home. The State of Ohio, through JobsOhio along with anchor institutions, made a transformational investment in Innovation Districts – all with a health and life science theme.
To address Ohio’s rapidly growing need for top talent, we have already begun building out a workforce development strategy to improve BioOhio members’ awareness of and access to emerging workforce trends, challenges, insights, and the numerous workforce resources offered by government and academic partners. We will empower BioOhio members to effectively navigate universities and community colleges for talent resources and communicate skills needs to educators who develop curricula. We will also regularly convene health and life science leaders and inspire awareness among Ohioans and out-of-state residents about our industry, including available career opportunities and pathways offered by BioOhio members.
This last point is woven into our investment in enhanced marketing and promotion of the capabilities, expertise, and opportunities that cities in Ohio have to offer as it relates to the bio, health, and life sciences. There are too many great things happening in this industry for it to still be “under the radar.” We will build a stronger narrative about how Ohio’s many nodes of innovation, especially the Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus Innovation Districts, will continue to drive growth in our industry and attract even more talent and companies to Ohio.
Along with a focus on workforce and marketing, BioOhio will develop a more sophisticated advocacy infrastructure. There will be a growing number of public policy issues and funding opportunities emerging that we will need to proactively address and ensure bio, health, and life science innovation is not stifled, and patients have easy and affordable access to new treatments.
BioOhio’s efforts to elevate the industry are fueled by the investment of our nearly 300 members, all of whom appreciate that a stronger bio, health, and life science ecosystem creates opportunities and benefits for everyone. Continued support of our work from current and future member investors like you will help Ohio benefit from and be known as the most robust and innovative bioscience ecosystem in the country.
I am excited about the future of BioOhio and the industry that we represent. Our team looks forward to partnering with you to elevate the ecosystem in Ohio and supporting all of you who drive health, economic, and social well-being here and in communities across the globe.