Welcome to Oklahoma BioScience Association
We create partnerships, educate communities, and influence policies, in support of our life-changing industry.
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Our Mission
The mission of the Oklahoma Bioscience Association is to promote the growth of biosciences and life science in Oklahoma through partnership building, education and outreach, networking, policy development and publicity.
History
A Vision For The Future
The Oklahoma BioScience Association, a 501(c)(3) corporation, was incorporated in the spring of 2008. OKBio was created in response to a study originally commissioned by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.
In 2004, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber formed a Regional Bioscience Strategy Steering Committee to develop a vision for the region’s bioscience future and a road map outlining strategies and actions for achieving it.
A Statewide Focus
Recognizing that the potential for bioscience and life science growth encompassed the entire state, one of the report’s key recommendations was to create a statewide association to provide a focal point and driver for the state’s diverse and growing bioscience and life science community.
About OKBio
What We Do
OKBio is the voice for Oklahoma’s dynamic and diverse bioscience and life science community. In collaboration with partners statewide, OKBio works to:
01
Build Oklahoma’s image as an emerging leader in biosciences and life sciences
02
Foster productive bioscience and life science networks and partnerships
03
Provide education and information on topics both timely and relevant to the bioscience and life science community
04
Enhance Oklahoma’s bioscience and life science research and business climate
05
Educate elected officials and the public about the importance of supporting biosciences and life sciences in building our economy and improving our quality of life
06
07
Develop entrepreneurial bioscience and life science talent and a skilled workforce
08
Build a bioscience and life science-friendly business climate
The OKBio Advantage
A key competitive advantage is the availability of non-dilutive and early stage seed capital to support emerging bioscience and life science companies combined with proven value-added resources to promote commercialization and assist start-ups in the state.
Grants
State funding provides grants and assistance in preparation of federal grant proposals, allowing our bioscience and life science companies access to non-dilutive capital.
Capital
Easy access to early-stage seed funding for bio-based companies to pursue R&D, product development, and regulatory milestones.
Resources
State funding provides grants and assistance in preparation of federal grant proposals, allowing our bioscience and life science companies access to non-dilutive capital.
Member Benefits
Join OKBIO and receive these member benefits:
Purchasing Program
OKBio partners with the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) to provide our sponsors with the largest cost-savings program in the life sciences industry. This program, BIO Business Solutions, provides discounted pricing and other benefits on products and services to companies such as VWR, Office Depot, Chubb, UPS and UniFirst.
On average, OKBio sponsors participating in this program saved over $50,000 on lab supplies, UPS shipping, insurance and more!! Think what your organization could save!
Bio Affiliation
OKBio’s affiliation with the BIO, the world’s largest biotechnology organization, provides access to federal advocacy, business development and communications services.
BIO organizes the BIO International Convention — the largest convention in the industry. OKBio and the Greater OKC Chamber sponsor a partnering booth for Oklahoma-based bioscience and life science companies to effectively network with and gain attention from global industry representatives at this annual event.
News & Announcements
We take pride in promoting awareness by telling the stories of the significant research and technology development that takes place in our State.
- Articles and press releases
- OKBio Facebook
- OKBio Twitter
- OKBio Magazine
- Job vacancies and resumes
- Industry directory
Networking
Keep informed about bioscience and life science happenings in Oklahoma by networking with peers at numerous events and informal forums.
- OKBioScience Roundtable
- OKBio BrewFest
- BIO International
Industry Connections & Relations
OKBio maintains a comprehensive network of contact in the industry, academia, research, service and government sectors. Whether a sponsor needs assistance getting a foot in the door or simply needs to know who to contact regarding a particular issue, OKBio can help make connections.
Bio in Oklahoma
Overview
From Ardmore to Stillwater and Tulsa, Oklahoma’s rapidly-growing bioscience and life science sector is emerging as one of the key economic forces in our state. With more than 500 bioscience and life science-related businesses or organizations, Oklahoma sees more than a $6.7b economic impact from this industry.
Oklahoma is fertile ground for bioscience growth, talent and premier facilities:
The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) has seen 41 new companies formed in Oklahoma as a result of their programs in the past five years. More than 2000 new Oklahoma jobs have been created and the average salary of employees working for OCAST client companies is approximately $60,000. In 2021, 129 new patents were granted to OCAST client companies, with a total value of $96,950,00. The total financial impact of OCAST programs is $1,002,255,392.00 with a return on investment of 20:1.
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is dedicated to both basic and translational research, with patient-centered care and research ongoing at the Stephenson Cancer Center, the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center and the Dean McGee Eye Institute.
The University Research Park is part of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center campus located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The complex consists of more than 700,000 square feet of modern biomedical research lab and office space supported by state-of-the-art communications and infrastructure systems.
The Noble Research Institute is the largest private foundation in the country conducting plant science and agriculture research. The Noble Research Institute offers no-cost consultation and education to farmers, ranchers and land managers, and educates students of all ages about science and agriculture.
Oklahoma State University has leading expertise in biological and chemical processes with basic and applied researchers in areas ranging from pediatric psychology to respiratory infectious diseases. Multiple researchers across many departments and colleges are also focusing R&D efforts on developing and enhancing drug delivery methods in both humans and animals.
One of OKC’s newest districts, the Innovation District, houses internationally-acclaimed research and technology professionals, and encompasses about 1.3 square miles east of downtown Oklahoma City and south of the State Capitol.
In the past 2 years, i2E, Inc. has invested nearly $7 million in 8 bioscience or life science companies and over has invested at total of $35 million the past 22 years.
Bioscience in Oklahoma truly is driving innovation that is improving lives and creating jobs! Here is a look at some of our emerging bio companies:
- Ascend BioVentures is a pharmaceutical accelerator that guides promising drug candidates through the riskiest, early stages of development. ABV helps identify innovative and transformative therapeutics and works to efficiently launch companies focused on preclinical drug development.
- Linear Health Sciences is a medical device company that has developed a proprietary, breakaway safety valve technology designed to improve the use of medical tubing in hospitals. Recently, Linear received U.S. FDA clearance and Health Canada approval of its Orchid SRV™, a tension-activated breakaway safety release valve designed to reduce the risk of IV catheter failure and replacement in hospitals.
- Moleculera Labs is a pioneer in infection-induced autoimmune conditions that disrupt neurologic function. The company currently markets next-generation antibody tests that detect whether an autoimmune reaction is causing neurologic or psychiatric symptoms.
- Cytovance Biologics, Inc. is a pharmaceutical contract manufacturer producing biologics, therapeutic proteins and antibodies. The company employs more than 200, and their products are used globally for clinical trials and research.
- Immuno Mycologics is listed as one of Inc.’s fastest-growing private companies in the nation. IMMY is a diagnostic manufacturing company that has evolved from a company that filled a need in the infectious disease market to an organization with a global focus on saving lives through innovative products.
- MS Pen Technologies, Inc. is a medical device company commercializing innovative mass spectrometry solutions for molecular analysis at the point of need. The Preciso MasSpecPen, when exposed to a tissue surface and connected to a mass spectrometer can identify the molecular profile of cancerous tissues in real time. The technology is potentially extensible to pathology, robotics, forensic, botanical, and food safety applications, among others.
- Otologic Pharmaceuticals is developing pharmaceuticals to combat hearing loss and hearing-related disorders, like tinnitus. Otologic has two programs focused on therapeutics that protect and repair damage in the ear as well as a regenerative medicine approach focused on re-growing inner hair cells. Otologic has a license deal with Oblato for the development of their clinical stage drug and they recently signed a research collaboration and license agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim to discover, develop, and commercialize transformative therapies for patients with sensorineural hearing loss.
- Progentec Diagnostics, Inc. has developed an advanced state-of-the-art Lupus flare diagnostic, which has potential to fundamentally change the current treatment paradigm for Lupus. The company has partnered with the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, a Center of Excellence for Lupus in the US and they are striving to accelerate commercialization of the patented diagnostic technology.
- Biolytx is a pharmaceutical technology company developing a novel antibiotic peptide for potential use in wound healing and treatment of serious hospital-acquired infections, including those resistant to current antibiotics. The technology was developed in the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center laboratory of Dr. Anne Pereira and licensed from OU.
- Tetherex Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage drug development company, was formed to develop novel first-in-class therapeutics targeting cell adhesion proteins in thrombotic, inflammatory and oncologic diseases.
Oklahoma is recognized internationally for the strength of our research institutions:
Our research institutions demonstrate excellence in select areas of human, plant and animal science, with strong emphasis in:
- Agricultural productivity
- Autoimmune diseases and Immunology
- Biofuels
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Research
- Glycobiology and Carbohydrates
- Infectious Disease and Microbiology
- Natural Products for Health
- Plant Improvement
- Value-Added Food Product
- Vision Research
Innovative service providers facilitate the growth of Oklahoma biosciences:
- Ascend BioVentures
- Analytical Edge
- ARL/DNA Solutions
- Cytovance Biologics
- Emergent Technologies
- EyeCRO
- i2E, Inc.
- Lynn Health Sciences Institute
- OKBio Association
- Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology
- OKC Innovation District
CORE FACILITIES:
OMRF
https://omrf.org/research-faculty/core-facilities/
OUHSC
https://research.ouhsc.edu/Core-Facilities/Laboratory
Innovators & Entrepreneurs Magazine | BIO Edition
Autumn
2022
Spotlight
i2E's Life Science Investments
Supporting groundbreaking medical technologies to benefit patients worldwide
In This Issue
Emerging OKBio Startups
Ascend Bioventures, MaxQ, Progentec Diagnostics, Simergent, Tethrex Pharmaceuticals
Research Collaborative
Oklahoma State University launches new center to help better respond to pandemics and other challenges
Visionary Scientists
OMRF researchers discover novel compound with potential to reverse vision loss
Eye For An Eye
Dean McGee Eye Institute Laboratories yield groundbreaking discoveries in quest to foster better vision for everyone
OKBio Brewfest
The OKBio BrewFest showcases Oklahoma breweries while raising awareness of Oklahoma’s diverse bioscience industry. Many of the state’s most popular breweries, wineries and distilleries are featured at this event and more than 500 people across the community attend.
BrewFest 2021
When: Thursday, Oct. 21 • 5-7 p.m.
Where: Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark
Admission: $35 General Admission
Admission includes:
- Free BrewFest T-shirt (first 300 registered)
- Free BrewFest Mug
- Unlimited 5 oz tastings: local craft beer, wine, spirits
- Free parking at Joe Carter Ave & Reno
Must be 21 to Enter
Contact us for group Rates of 10 or More
We offer a 10% Military Discount with Valid Military ID
Special Thanks To Our 2021 Sponsors:
Event Sponsors
Crowe & Dunlevy • Cytovance Biologics • Greater OKC Chamber • Hit Design • i2E, Inc. • Oklahoma Gazette
Beer Hosts
Barnes & Thornburg • Nature Technology • VWR International
BrewFest Photos
