A delegation of leaders from the city of Phoenix and members of the Phoenix Bioscience Core community visited San Diego this week for BIO International 2022, the world’s largest convening of life science, biomedical and health-care related industry leaders to share the story of Phoenix as an emerging life science hub in the United States.

The convention is being held in person for the first time in two years at the San Diego Convention Center after the COVID-19 pandemic kept it virtual in previous years. Thousands of people travel from across the country to San Diego to share ideas, seek new business opportunities and network with the leaders in the field. More than 3,500 companies from around the world attend Bio International from startups to stalwarts including 23andMe, Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson and much more.

Selling the city of Phoenix to the world

For the city of Phoenix and out economic development leadership, this is the opportunity for us to make the pitch to the next great company interested in relocating to our city. We have the chance to share the story of the new Mayo Corridor in north Phoenix, the Phoenix Bioscience Core in downtown Phoenix and the other incredible amenities Phoenix has to offer.

City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development leaders including Claudia Whitehead and Chris Mackay are able to make direct pitches to prospective companies and researchers who are interested in relocating to the city of Phoenix.

Specifically as it relates to the PBC, being at BIO International is a unique opportunity for our city leaders and the rest of the delegation the opportunity to share the narrative as to what makes the PBC so unique. Combining the research strength of each of our three public universities, the growth plans that will allow for more lab space and more office space for more researchers and entrepreneurs to relocate to our city, and the amenity rich environment that downtown Phoenix offers. We can show company leaders and researchers who may be thinking about the next move for their business how great of a place the Phoenix Bioscience Core could be for their business.

Phoenix Bioscience Core at BIO International

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego led the city’s delegation and on Monday, June 13, hosted a fireside discussion that included the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix’s Dean Guy Reed and Wexford Science + Technology’s Kyle Jardine. Both focused their comments on how the PBC is a collaborative and transformative environment that is creating a center of gravity for our regions health and bio ecosystem.

Additionally, two PBC companies are participating in BIO International programming over the next couple of days. BacVax, a University of Arizona spinoff focusing on bacterial vaccines, will make their pitch in Bio International’s Start-Up Stadium, a place for companies to make an elevator pitch to members of the investment community, philanthropy groups, strategic partners and other community members.

And PBC-based OncoMyx Inc., an ASU spinout that recently closed a $50 million capital round, will also be presenting June 15 as part of BIO International’s company presentation forum.