Entrepreneurs, investors, research scientists, service providers and the public interested in technology companies that develop products to improve people’s lives and health gathered at the Arkansas Life Sciences Summit on October 19, 2016 in Conway.
The event showcased presentations from 14 of the fastest-growing technology companies with research and innovation in the life sciences conducted at Arkansas universities and private companies. These companies include medical devices, drug discovery, diagnostics, biotechnology, natural products and agriculture sciences. There were also breakout sessions focused on specific challenges faced by life sciences companies.
The summit was organized and hosted by UAMS BioVentures of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and was held at the University of Central Arkansas.
Among the presenting companies were Nushores Biosciences, BiologicsMD, Infinite Enzymes LLC, EZRA Innovations, Stage I Diagnostics, Burke Therapeutics LLC, Invotek, BioBotic Solutions, Now Diagnostics, Phyzit, and TiFiber.
The keynote speaker was Patrick Plues, vice president of state government affairs for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). At BIO, he is responsible for executing a comprehensive state government relations strategy in all 50 states to create a positive business environment for the biopharmaceutical industry. He also gave a presentation on the outlook for biotechnology and life sciences regionally, nationally and globally.
Summit sponsors were Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, Arkansas Capital Corp., Conway Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Arkansas State University, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and Arkansas Children’s Research Institute.