New Orleans BioInnovation Center helps put city on the international stage

NEW ORLEANS — Delegates from the New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC), lead agency of the Gulf Coast Health Sciences Corridor (GCHSC), recently traveled to Belgium to attend BIO Day with Gov. John Bel Edwards sponsored by Louisiana Department of Economic Development.

Belgium, which is known for being a hub of international diplomacy and business, served as the ideal location for the opportunity to highlight Louisiana’s progress in the biotech field. Representatives from NOBIC and GCHSC were on hand to attract foreign investments in our region and encourage collaboration. It was also an opportunity to showcase New Orleans as a preferred destination for professionals, researchers and potential partners in this field.

"It's clear that Louisiana, with its robust cultural heritage and demonstrated resilience, has captivated international biotech firms seeking a thriving environment for their growth," said Kris Khalil, executive director of New Orleans BioInnovation Center. "New Orleans is brimming with unique business advantages and a multifaceted sector landscape. We have proven ourselves as an unwavering pillar for innovation. At the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, we're privileged to offer state-of-the-art facilities, development of groundbreaking research, and an extensive network of industry leaders. We were honored to join other state agencies on this mission and even more to position New Orleans as a preferred destination for global biotech companies."

Louisiana is leveraging its unique business advantages, sector diversity and support for innovation to

expand its economy. Companies taking advantage of state incentive programs have increased capital

investment in the state for five years in a row, topping $20 billion two years in a row. The formula for

future growth is in place: support research and technology; empower small business prosperity; reinvest in critical infrastructure; and help companies recruit, train and sustain Louisiana’s most valuable resource – a skilled and versatile workforce.

“Life sciences investments can not only create jobs and stimulate economic activity – they can literally save lives,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “That is why support for bioscience research and development has been a pillar of Louisiana’s economic development strategy since the early days of my administration. Louisiana’s unique assets in life sciences can provide new and exciting opportunities for established life sciences leaders in other countries.”

Delegates from the following agencies were also part of the conference: Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana, Baton Rouge Health District, Tulane University, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette and University of Louisiana at Monroe.

For more information on BIO Day please visit here. For more information on NOBIC, please visit here.

Editor’s note: Link to photos here.

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About New Orleans BioInnovation Center: The New Orleans BioInnovation Center (“NOBIC”) is a nonprofit business incubator focused on advancing life science entrepreneurship and technology commercialization in Louisiana. The mission of NOBIC is to create a successful biotech ecosystem by providing emerging companies with customized commercialization services, premier facilities and a comprehensive support network. Through relationships with research institutions, economic development organizations and industry stakeholders, NOBIC helps its clients de-risk novel technologies, attract funding and improve global health outcomes. For more information, visit neworleansbio.com/.

About the Gulf Coast Health Sciences Corridor:The Gulf Coast Health Sciences Corridor is a unique collaboration between hub cities Baton Rouge and New Orleans. It is led by the New Orleans BioInnovation Center in partnership with the Baton Rouge Health District (also Xavier University, Tulane University, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Greater New Orleans Foundation, Greater New Orleans Inc.). The Gulf Coast Health Sciences Corridor is a coalition of stakeholders from government, business, nonprofits and academia. They were awarded a $500,000 Phase I grant from EDA to develop a plan to transform the region into a national leader in health sciences with a focus on addressing obesity and chronic diseases and are currently a finalist for a Phase II implementation grant. For more information, visit https://neworleansbio.com/nobic-gno-foundation-among-60-finalists-for-1b-in-economic-grants-from-biden-admin/