USP hosts biotechnology leaders, welcomes Governors Moore and Youngkin to Rockville

September 24, 2024 

ROCKVILLE, MD - For the third consecutive year, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) proudly served as site host for the BioHealth Capital Region Forum and Investor Conference (September 17-18, 2024), which promotes discussion and collaboration to expand the region's biotechnology and biomanufacturing capabilities and grow an ecosystem for opportunity and innovation. The two-day event brings together attendees from fields including early-stage and established industry, finance and real estate, and state and federal government, to foster collaboration and solve some of the sector's most pressing challenges.

This year, Governors Wes Moore (D-MD) and Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) each spoke on their administration's commitment to investing in life sciences innovation. Governor Moore cited the statewide impact of this investment, saying "This is an industry that generates $20 billion in economic activity in Maryland every year, supporting over 54,000 jobs in our state."

Governor Youngkin was presented with the 2024 Governor of the Year Award by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). Presenting the award, John F. Crowley, BIO President and CEO, said, "From advancing innovative economic development initiatives for the bioscience ecosystem to investing in cutting-edge life science facilities across the state, Governor Youngkin has worked tirelessly on public policy solutions to help expand opportunities for researchers, entrepreneurs, and patients in Virginia."

Youngkin thanked BIO for this recognition and added, "As the Commonwealth's cutting-edge research network continues to expand, I look forward to further investing in Virginia's future by investing in our biotechnology industry." "We are deeply grateful for the leadership and support shown by Governors Moore and Youngkin," said Ronald Piervincenzi, Ph.D., USP Chief Executive Officer, in his opening remarks at the forum. "That they each took the time to join us in-person on USP's campus for The BioHealth Forum shows their commitment to growing and maintaining the Capital Region's flourishing life sciences economy."

USP works across the Capital Region (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virgina), as well as nationally and globally, to uphold the quality, safety, and availability of medicines through public standards and related programs. The Capital Region houses over 2,300 life science companies, 78 federal labs, and elite academic, medical and research institutions, which collectively support a thriving hub of innovation and opportunity. Alex Philippidis, Senior Business Editor at Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN), reported at this year's forum that the Capital Region has maintained its position as a Top 3 Bio Cluster for the second consecutive year.

USP's Fouad Atouf, PhD, SVP of Global Biologics, also moderated a panel session featuring Ruth Cheng, PhD (SVP of Research & Industrial Solutions at ATCC) and Amanda Cowley, JD (SVP of Legal, Strategy and People at USP). The panelists discussed how collaboration enables standardization and progress in emerging scientific fields like biologic medicines.

"Collaboration starts by recognizing when the scope of a challenge, and the importance of a shared mission, is beyond any one organization's capabilities and expertise," said Cowley in her panel remarks. "Organizations like USP and ATCC can only produce great standards for these potentially life-changing medicines through ongoing collaboration with industry and regulators. In turn, standards can help clarify regulatory pathways and increase confidence and speed in bringing products to market."

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About USP
USP is an independent scientific organization that collaborates with the world's top experts in health and science to develop quality resources and standards for medicines, dietary supplements and food ingredients. This includes actively collaborating with academic research centers, industry, and regulators to help with the adoption and implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies. Through our resources, standards, advocacy and education, USP helps increase the availability of quality medicines, supplements and foods for billions of people worldwide. For more information, visit: www.usp.org.