BIO International Convention 2024 recap

In the picture, left to right: Cerilio Andrade, Penny Walsh-McGuire and Sven Ansorge

Last week, CASTL team members, Penny Walsh-McGuire, CEO, Sven Ansorge,  Director of Technical Training and Cerilio Andrade, Director of Business Development were in San Diego, California for the BIO International Convention.

Throughout the convention the team engaged with national and international partners in the life sciences ecosystem and explored many opportunities for collaboration within the sector. It was a packed week!

Here are some of the highlights:

• CQDM's announcement of the creation of AReNA, Quebec's new RNA Hub. Developed in partnership with the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie du Québec (MEIE), Montréal InVivo, and Alexys, AReNA designed to position Quebec at the forefront of innovation in RNA therapeutics with Minister Christopher Skeete.

• A presentation from Ritu Banerjee, Assistant Deputy Minister, Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Readiness (OLSBR), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), alongside other Canadian industry leaders from BIOVECTRA, A mgen and VIDO, on the Canadian biomanufacturing capacity showcasing the world-leading expertise leading the growth of the Canadian biomanufacturing sector.

• An Atlantic Canada panel discussing Health Innovation hosted by Innovative Medicines Canada - Médicaments novateurs Canada with Brigitte Nolet, Bettina Hamelinand, the Atlantic Canada BioIndustry partners, Prince Edward Island BioAlliance, and the Atlantic Advantage Presentation and BioFutures Roundtable with the Atlantic Canadian Premiers Dennis King, Tim Houston and Ministers Gilles Arsenault, Michelle Thompson, Bruce Fitch and Andrew Parsons, and ACOA.

• A presentation and panel on Cell and Gene Therapy in Canada hosted by Clinical Trials Ontario, Life Sciences Ontario and Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization with Ontario’s Minister Victor Fedeli.

• "Let's Talk People" - a panel exploring the vast job training opportunities for bioscience and biomanufacturing expertise within the Canadian biotech ecosystem with our CEO Penny Walsh-McGuire, Cate Murray of Stem Cell Network and Andrew MacIsaac of API and moderated by Rob Henderson of BioTalent Canada.

• Connecting with our fellow NIBRT global partners and friends from San Jacinto College, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, BARDA and NIIMBL.

• And lots of networking events with our friends from Life Sciences British Coilumbia, BIOAlberta, Bioscience Association Manitoba, Investissement Quebec, BioQuebec, Life Sciences Ontario, Life Sciences Nova Scotia, BioNB, PEI BioAlliance, Bounce Health Innovation, BioTalent Canada, Innovative Medicines Canada, adMare BioInnovations, and BIOVECTRA.

A huge shout out to the team at BIOTECanada for bringing the Canadian BIO delegation together for what was an inspiring gathering of our sector leaders on a global stage. BRAVO! 

We are so grateful to have been a part of this leading industry event and look forward to seeing our friends and partners at BIO 2025 in Boston!