By Edmond Ortiz
April means it is Fiesta season in San Antonio. But within San Antonio’s bioscience and healthcare communities, April also marks the return of an event designed to highlight industry capabilities, achievements and collaboration opportunities present locally and around the region.
What is happening
Biofest Days, organized by the nonprofit BioMedSA, has evolved over the last few years. It offers a range of events that foster networking, and allow space for universities, research institutes, healthcare systems, startup companies, and other industry partners to exhibit their abilities, potential and advancements in biomedicine.
Biofest Days also features Biofest Invest, biomedical pitch competition for Texas startups where past participating ventures have raised more than a combined $85 million in funding.
This year’s edition of Biofest Days will be held April 6-17 with individual activities happening at various sites around the San Antonio area.
A bigger perspective
Bioscience has emerged as an economic force in San Antonio over the last few decades. According to a report commissioned by the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce earlier this decade, San Antonio’s healthcare and bioscience sectors have collectively produced an economic impact of $44.1 billion, with the bioscience industry accounting for $8 billion.
Both industries have added more than 24,000 jobs, with growth shown in payrolls, salaries and innovation over a number of years.
Organizations, universities and institutes such as BioMedSA, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, VelocityTX and UT Health San Antonio have followed in the footsteps of previous groups such as the San Antonio Technology Accelerator Initiative to cement San Antonio as a hub for biomedicine and healthcare.
Additionally, the recent establishment of an Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) hub in Texas helps to raise the reputation of San Antonio, as well as those of Austin, Houston and Dallas, local industry leaders have said.
Also, San Antonio’s military health system has been highlighted as a strength thanks to the presence of facilities and agencies such as Brooke Army Medical Center and UT Health San Antonio’s Military Health Institute.
Leaders within San Antonio’s biomedical sector keep working toward cross-promotion and public education of the local industry through other events, such as the March 25 “Bioscience and Breakthroughs” panel discussion that Cntr/Cty San Antonio and Tech Bloc presented as part of their ongoing Emerging Industries Series of informative programs.
The panelists – Paulomi Modi of Nucleate, Heather Hanson of BioMedSA, Jeremy Nelson of VelocityTX, and Adrienne Mendoza of BioBridge Global – discussed how bioscience is helping to form San Antonio’s long-term economy, and bolstering the community’s role as a hub for life sciences research and commercialization.
Get ready for Biofest Days
While some Biofest Days events are free, others require admission. Many events require advance registration, and a few programs are outside San Antonio. Here are some select scheduled activities:
*Pediatrician and endocrinologist Anna Sizova, CEO of Impact Healthtech, is hosting “I.M.P.A.C.T. (Innovation in Medtech, Pharma, AI, Clinical Trials) 6-8:30 p.m. April 6. The location will be revealed upon registration. Sizova said she is creating a collaborative space where everyone from researchers and clinicians to medical and bioscience students and innovators can network, collaborate, exchange insights and expertise, and support each other. Entry is free.
*Dr. Jane Shen-Gunter, retired U.S. Army colonel, will lead the program “Fearless Minds: Women Revolutionizing Bioscience” 8:30-10 a.m. April 8 at the BioMedSA office, 2040 Babcock Road, Suite 100. Shen-Gunter is currently an adjunct associate professor in molecular medicine at UT Health San Antonio. Admission is $25.
*TEN Capital Network CEO Hall T. Martin will lead a free workshop, “How to Invest in Life Science Startups,” from 1-3 p.m. April 13 at the BioMedSA office.
*Biofest Invest will be held 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 14 at the Rosenberg Skyroom, 847 E. Hildebrand Ave. This pitch competition will link Texas bioscience companies with investors from across the country, and will include guest speakers, panels, and networking opportunities. Admission is $75-$100 with a discount for active military personnel.
*An ecosystem industry tour will take place 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 16. Participants will check out the Southwest Research Institute, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, Mission Pharmaceutical, and local company Solventum. Lunch will be provided. Admission is $50-$75.
