The Alabama Department of Commerce is leading a delegation of the state’s bioscience companies and industry advocates to Boston for the 2025 BIO International Convention, the world’s largest event for the life sciences sector.
David Sides, International Project Manager at the Alabama Department of Commerce, is joining representatives from innovative Alabama-based bioscience firms as well as leaders from BioAlabama, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), and other organizations.
Together, they’ll showcase Alabama’s growing life sciences ecosystem and highlight the state’s strengths in research, innovation and advanced manufacturing on a global stage.
“Alabama is home to a dynamic and fast-growing bioscience community, and events like BIO give us a chance to amplify that message to the world,” Sides said.
“This convention provides unmatched opportunities to build international connections, support our homegrown companies and spotlight Alabama as a serious player in the life sciences economy.”
The 2025 BIO International Convention, taking place June 16–19 in Boston, draws thousands of biotech and pharma leaders from around the world for networking, partnering, and educational opportunities across a wide range of therapeutic and technological areas.
Alabama’s presence at the convention reflects the state’s commitment to expanding its bioscience footprint and supporting companies that are advancing innovations in medicine, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and more.
BioAlabama, the state’s leading bioscience industry association, is playing a key role in the effort, working alongside Commerce and EDPA to help raise the profile of Alabama’s cutting-edge companies and research institutions.
“Alabama’s life sciences sector is growing rapidly and spans the entire value chain — from world-class research institutions and agile startups to advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing,” said Jackson Pruett, Director of Technology Company Attraction at EDPA.
“BIO gives us a global platform to highlight the concentration of talent and assets emerging in Alabama.”
Alabama team
AIDT, the state’s primary workforce development agency, and the Birmingham Business Alliance, the City of Hoover and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology are also participating in the mission.
Eight Alabama bioscience companies are attending BIO as part of the state delegation.
They are: Adjuvax, Adachi-Odai Solutions and TriAltus Bioscience, all from Birmingham; iRepertoire, SynVivo and Van Heron Labs, all from Huntsville; and SiO2 Materials Science and VivoSphere, both from Auburn.
An estimated 780 bioscience enterprises call Alabama home, employing around 18,000 people in fields that include biomedical research, pharmaceutical manufacturing, drug discovery and development, and medical devices.
Bioscience is one of the key industry sectors outlined in Alabama’s new Catalyst economic development strategic plan, meaning it’s a key target for business development efforts.
“Alabama’s life sciences sector continues to gain momentum, and this mission to BIO is part of our broader strategy to grow investment, foster innovation, and build partnerships that fuel long-term success,” Sides added.
