FDA director to keynote SCBIO conference

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SCBIO will host a hybrid in-person and virtual conference in Charleston Feb. 22-24 featuring a presentation from Food and Drug Administration executive Valerie Jensen and the unveiling of South Carolina’s life science economic impact study from state economist Joey Von Nessen.

The event’s 25 presenters and honorees will delve into hot topics in the state’s $12 billion industry, including next generation patient care, health care accessibility, transformational technologies and collaboration, according to a news release. 

Jensen, the FDA’s associate director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research drug shortage staff, will present the panel “Challenge Accepted: Delivering Next Generation Care to Patients Now” alongside Medical University of South Carolina Health CEO Dr. Pat Cawley, Velocity Clinical Research Executive Steve Clemons and University of South Carolina Provost Stephen Cutler.

Jensen will draw from her experience as one of the developers of the FDA Drug Shortage Program to discuss expediting medicine development, devices and vaccines and what that means for global health care moving forward, according to the news release.

Von Nessen will present his latest economic impact report on the state’s life science sector since 2017, and new SCBIO CEO James Chappel will deliver “State of the South Carolina Life Sciences Industry” address. The organization will also present the South Carolina Life Science’s Pinnacle Awards to the 2021 organization of the year, individual of the year, industry rising star and an S.C. Life Sciences Hall of Fame inductee. 

“Life sciences is a major driver of South Carolina’s economy, and this conference’s growth is testament to the industry’s surging impact, reach and rapidly rising economic significance in our state and region,” Chappell said in the release. “Already accounting for thousands of highly skilled jobs in the Palmetto State, this sector has tremendous growth potential, and we’re excited to showcase top companies, research universities and leaders from across our state and country at SCBIO 2022.”  

Additional speakers will be announced in the weeks ahead, the economic development organization said. 

Life science companies, educational institutions and support partners will gather in an expanded exhibit hall, while virtual networking opportunities will be offered through an online portal.

Registration and exhibiting is free to most SCBIO investors. General admission tickets for virtual attendees are $109 and $325 for in-person attendees. Discounts will be offered to early-bird applicants, teachers and students.

Nephron Pharmaceuticals, BIO, Johnson & Johnson, AVX, PhRMA, Medpoint, AdvaMed, Poly-Med, VWR, Rhythmlink, SoftBox Systems, Zeus, Patheon Thermo Fisher, Zverse, Abbott and Alcamiand are a few of the life science companies participating in the conference.