Oklahoma Bio Week Returns August 17–21, Highlighting Oklahoma's Growing Life Sciences Industry
JUNE 18TH, 2020
Oklahoma Bio Week Returns August 17–21, Highlighting Oklahoma's Growing Life Sciences Industry
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Bio Week returns August 17 through 21, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, healthcare leaders, educators, students, and communities across the state to celebrate Oklahoma's growing bioscience industry.
Oklahoma continues to strengthen its position as a destination for bioscience research, healthcare innovation, biomanufacturing, and entrepreneurship. The state is home to more than 400 active clinical trials and offers operating costs estimated to be 30 to 50 percent lower than coastal bioscience hubs, creating opportunities for companies to invest more heavily in research, workforce development, and commercialization. That momentum has been further accelerated through significant public and private investment, including the $35 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge award supporting the Oklahoma Biotech Innovation Cluster and initiatives focused on research infrastructure, startup development, clinical trials, workforce training, and biomanufacturing.
Hosted by the Oklahoma City Innovation District (OKCID) in partnership with Life Science Oklahoma (LSOK), Bio Week returns for its second year with expanded programming designed to strengthen connections between industry, education, workforce development, and the broader community while showcasing the discoveries and partnerships shaping the future of healthcare and biotechnology.
“The Oklahoma City Innovation District is excited to partner with organizations across the region and state to host this year’s Oklahoma Bio Week. Oklahoma’s bio and life sciences landscape continues to evolve, producing and attracting new science, technologies, and companies,” said Jeff Seymour, President and CEO of the Oklahoma City Innovation District. “Our goal with this week is to continue building connections between existing industry players, build awareness of the unique opportunities Oklahoma has to grow in this arena, and celebrate success as the sector continues to evolve.”
Throughout the week, organizations across Oklahoma will host events that celebrate innovation, encourage collaboration, and introduce attendees to the work underway in the state's bioscience industry.
Featured events include the Oklahoma Bio Industry Showcase, which brings together companies, researchers, startups, and institutions from across the state; and What the Cell?! STEM Trivia Night, a networking event hosted by Life Science Oklahoma and sponsored by Cytovance Biologics; Future of Innovation in Healthcare & Biotech, where industry leaders will discuss emerging technologies, research breakthroughs, commercialization, and workforce development; Securing Grants 101, a webinar helping innovators navigate funding opportunities; and the BioPitch Series, presented in collaboration with OKBioStart and The Verge OKC, where emerging entrepreneurs will showcase the next generation of life science companies and technologies.
The week concludes with Innovation on the Block, the Oklahoma City Innovation District's signature quarterly community STEAM event. This free, family-friendly experience features hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, local organizations, and educational demonstrations designed to inspire curiosity and introduce students and families to careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
Together, these events tell the story of an industry built on discovery, collaboration, and a shared commitment to improving lives through innovation.
Oklahoma Bio Week is made possible through a collaborative network of industry leaders, research institutions, entrepreneurs, educators, and community partners. Signature programming throughout the week is presented in partnership with organizations including Life Science Oklahoma, OKBioStart, The Verge OKC, and Cytovance Biologics, reflecting the collaboration that continues to strengthen Oklahoma's life sciences community.
Innovation Hall will once again serve as a central hub for Bio Week programming, welcoming researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, healthcare professionals, students, and community members throughout the week.
For more information, to view the full schedule, learn more about each event, or register, visit www.oklahomabioweek.org.
About the Oklahoma City Innovation District
The Oklahoma City Innovation District is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, expanding job growth, and strengthening Oklahoma's economy. By connecting research institutions, healthcare organizations, startups, businesses, and community partners, the District works to position Oklahoma as a national leader in innovation and economic opportunity.
About Life Science Oklahoma
Life Science Oklahoma (LSOK) supports, advances, and promotes the growth of Oklahoma's life sciences industry. Through advocacy, partnership building, education, workforce development, and industry outreach, LSOK connects researchers, companies, entrepreneurs, healthcare organizations, and public partners to strengthen Oklahoma's life sciences sector, advance innovation, and enhance the state's competitiveness on a national and global scale.