Bio Nebraska, UNMC and UNeMed host BIO president

BIO president and CEO Jim Greenwood speaks at UNMC in late June.

Bio Nebraska Life Sciences Association, UNMC and UNeMed — the technology transfer leader for UNMC — hosted a bioscience discussion with James Greenwood, president and CEO of Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) late last month.

The bioscience discussion at UNMC was an opportunity for Bio Nebraska members to meet with Greenwood while he was in Omaha, where he also was a keynote speaker at the National Institute of Health’s 11th Annual National SBIR/STTR Conference.

While at UNMC, Greenwood provided insight into the importance of innovation and current policy discussions on health care reform, patent reform and follow-on biologics.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Greenwood to Nebraska for a discussion on the biosciences,” said Amy Recker, executive director for Bio Nebraska. “As the state’s affiliate to BIO, we recognize what a great opportunity this has been to connect with Mr. Greenwood on current issues that face our industry and discuss how our members are working to address these issues.”

About Bio Nebraska The mission of Bio Nebraska is to be the champion of biotechnology and to advocate for its member organizations promoting academic, industry and government partnerships to foster the growth of life sciences within Nebraska. Nebraska biotechnology researchers expand the boundaries of science to benefit mankind by providing better health care, enhanced agriculture and a cleaner and safer environment, creating opportunities for economic development within the state.

Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research at UNMC and Bio Nebraska board member welcomed more than 40 people to the event and Paul Dunman, Ph.D., assistant professor in pathology and microbiology at UNMC, provided an update on how UNMC is answering a health care crisis in antibiotic drug discovery.

“Mr. Greenwood was extremely well prepared, and quite knowledgeable about both UNMC and Nebraska,” Dr. Rosenquist said. “It is exciting that a person of his experience and stature was positive about our strategy for development in biotechnology, our level of expertise, and our potential for growth.”

UNeMed President Michael Dixon, Ph.D., said it was a pleasure to host this event and show Greenwood the world-class research at UNMC.

“As a member of the biotech community, we were pleased to learn more about the advocacy efforts of Mr. Greenwood and the BIO organization as they promote biomedical innovation across the world,” Dr. Dixon said.

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is based in Washington and represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations around the globe.

BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative health care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the annual BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings around the world. Bio Nebraska Life Sciences Association is Nebraska’s state affiliate of BIO.

Prior to his role with BIO, Greenwood represented Pennsylvania’s Eighth District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2005, served six years in the Pennsylvania Senate (1986-1993) and six years in the Pennsylvania General Assembly (1980-1986).