Throughout April and May, we will be highlighting innovative biotech companies headquartered in the Northwest. We're kicking off this project with an interview with <a href="http://www.washbio.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=2">Chris Rivera</a>, President of <a href="http://www.washbio.org/">Washington Biotech and Biomedical Association</a>.
<form mt:asset-id="768" class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><a href="http://blog.imedexchange.com/assets_c/2010/04/WBBA logo.html" onclick="window.open('http://blog.imedexchange.com/assets_c/2010/04/WBBA logo.html','popup','width=250,height=65,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="http://blog.imedexchange.com/assets_c/2010/04/WBBA logo-thumb-250x65.gif" width="250" height="65" alt="WBBA logo.gif" class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" /></a></form> You (and a lot of others) may not be aware of this but the Northwest generally, and Seattle in particular, is one of the leading centers of biotech innovation in the country, with well over 100 pharma, biotech, device and biomedical companies; and when it comes to emerging companies, says Rivera, Seattle is number one. Chris took the helm of the WBBA in January 2009 and is on a mission to grow the region's capabilities and distinction in the industry... and to make sure the world knows about it. "There are world-class companies, individuals and opportunities in the Northwest and unsurpassed talent when it comes to commercialization."
<form mt:asset-id="768" class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><a href="http://blog.imedexchange.com/assets_c/2010/04/WBBA logo.html" onclick="window.open('http://blog.imedexchange.com/assets_c/2010/04/WBBA logo.html','popup','width=250,height=65,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="http://blog.imedexchange.com/assets_c/2010/04/WBBA logo-thumb-250x65.gif" width="250" height="65" alt="WBBA logo.gif" class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" /></a></form> You (and a lot of others) may not be aware of this but the Northwest generally, and Seattle in particular, is one of the leading centers of biotech innovation in the country, with well over 100 pharma, biotech, device and biomedical companies; and when it comes to emerging companies, says Rivera, Seattle is number one. Chris took the helm of the WBBA in January 2009 and is on a mission to grow the region's capabilities and distinction in the industry... and to make sure the world knows about it. "There are world-class companies, individuals and opportunities in the Northwest and unsurpassed talent when it comes to commercialization."
I asked Chris why he thought the Northwest has become such a hive of
biotech innovation. As you might expect, there are many factors.
First, the Northwest is host to some of the leading medical and biotech
research organizations in the country, including the University of
Washington Medical Center, PATH, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center,
Seattle Biotech Research Institute, the Gates Foundation and others.
The Northwest also has a deep tradition of innovation-oriented
entrepreneurs and companies from Microsoft and Boeing to Amazon and
Expedia. Washington's burgeoning culture of innovation is also
reflected in the hundreds of early-stage technology companies in the
region - including iMedExchange.
Last month the WBBA's annual Life Science Innovation Northwest Conference drew leading and emerging biotech companies from around the country and around the world. In addition to record attendance, a deep <a href="http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2010/02/12/why-biotech-innovators-are-beating-a-path-to-seattle/">partnership with Burrill & Company, </a>and a keynote address from Steve Burrill himself, the conference also hosted a Chinese delegation that fostered many new international biotech relationships. For iMedExchange's part, we conducted interviews with many of the companies in attendance and will be sharing those with you over the coming weeks.
When I asked Chris about what was next for the WBBA and for the region's biotech industry, he said he wanted to see more emphasis on companies transitioning from early stage to commercialization. This, Rivera said, is where he sees an important role for physicians. "Executing clinical trials are a huge challenge for early stage companies and the most expensive part of the commercialization process. Physicians can play a critical role in helping to enroll patients in these trials." Chris also thinks that physicians can provide enormous benefits in helping biotech companies understand what's most important in gaining adoption of new treatments and devices by their colleagues and patients, and in helping identify unmet needs.
iMedExchange is excited to work with the WBBA and its members and to help connect them with physicians in the region and around the country in value add ways.
Last month the WBBA's annual Life Science Innovation Northwest Conference drew leading and emerging biotech companies from around the country and around the world. In addition to record attendance, a deep <a href="http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2010/02/12/why-biotech-innovators-are-beating-a-path-to-seattle/">partnership with Burrill & Company, </a>and a keynote address from Steve Burrill himself, the conference also hosted a Chinese delegation that fostered many new international biotech relationships. For iMedExchange's part, we conducted interviews with many of the companies in attendance and will be sharing those with you over the coming weeks.
When I asked Chris about what was next for the WBBA and for the region's biotech industry, he said he wanted to see more emphasis on companies transitioning from early stage to commercialization. This, Rivera said, is where he sees an important role for physicians. "Executing clinical trials are a huge challenge for early stage companies and the most expensive part of the commercialization process. Physicians can play a critical role in helping to enroll patients in these trials." Chris also thinks that physicians can provide enormous benefits in helping biotech companies understand what's most important in gaining adoption of new treatments and devices by their colleagues and patients, and in helping identify unmet needs.
iMedExchange is excited to work with the WBBA and its members and to help connect them with physicians in the region and around the country in value add ways.
