The 2023 BioMedSA Corral: Annual Meeting was held at the Marriott NW on December 13. The morning was filled with networking, reconnection of old friends and introductions to new ones. Programming began with an overview of the 2023 BioMedSA accomplishments and goals for 2024. President of BioMedSA, Heather Hanson, highlighted the initiatives in the overall structure of support, catalyzing actions, and promoting the ecosystem. To support the industry, BioMedSA hosts networking opportunities, conducts advocacy efforts and shares financial support opportunities through free programs and cost savings. In 2023, BioMedSA played a crucial role in landing the ARPA-H Customer Experience Hub in Texas, the City of San Antonio’s SBIR/STTR Grant Matching Program pilot, and the new lab space opening in 2024 (Alamo BioCenter). BioMedSA made over 250 resource introductions, created local asset tours, and saved members over $175,000. Biofest Invest pitching companies in San Antonio have realized $1.4M in investment (2022 data).
BioMedSA catalyzes actions for growth, including the completion of the life science career marketing project, which delivered 1300 booklets describing career options, salaries, training, and career paths to area high schools and workforce centers. Efforts to secure funding for a clinical trial hub are ongoing.
Promotion: BioMedSA shared information about San Antonio’s biomedical ecosystem to over 80,000 people in 2023. BioMedSA has also shared ecosystem information through social media, the internet, our e-newsletter, and with printed collateral. Heather announced the introduction of Biofest Days, a series of events before Fiesta celebrating biomedical advancements and opportunities, including Biofest Invest, our life science pitch competition and entrepreneurial event. In 2024, BioMedSA will host a San Antonio booth at the largest biotech conference in the world with opportunities for participation and sponsorship to be announce soon. BioTX Corridor events started in 2023 will continue in 2024 to connect the Austin-SA biomedical corridor.
Each of these growth activities is an output of the connection between ecosystem members and the collaboration that comes from focus on shared goals.
The fireside chat topic focused on the changing demographics of San Antonio. Led by state demographer, Dr. Lloyd Potter, and moderated by Dr. Henry Cisneros, the discussion shared details about the statistics of San Antonio population growth and the ways that the community can prepare and nurture that growth. The landscape of the region is continuing to change and grow. Dr. Potter shared a thorough visual representation of that growth while Henry Cisneros connected that change to the history and mission of BioMedSA.
Heather Hanson ended the program with member roll call and present members were able to be recognized.
Many thanks to our sponsors that made this event possible and continue to support the work of BioMedSA.
