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Later this week, Birmingham will welcome leading experts in life sciences, innovation and economic development for a conference that will highlight the city’s growing biotechnology ecosystem and investments being driven via public-private partnerships.
The Emerge BHM biotech conference will take place Oct. 19-21. The event is scheduled to feature national expert panelists, including Regina Benjamin, MD, former U.S. Surgeon General; Susan Monarez, PhD, deputy director of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H); Sandeep Patel, PhD, the first Director of BARDA’s Division of Research, Innovation, and Venture (DRIVe); and other state and regional leaders like State Finance Director Bill Poole and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin.
“In 2020, Alabama recorded more deaths than births for the first time ever, as COVID-19 revealed harsh truths about health disparities,” said Josh Carpenter, CEO of Southern Research, which is among the entities organizing the conference. “This conference is a chance to discuss the urgent and important efforts to address these disparities and expand precision medicine through the nationally acclaimed research and development institutions in Birmingham.”
Participants will spend much of Thursday touring Birmingham, including the Civil Rights District, the Lakeshore Foundation, and several neighborhoods. Friday will include a number of panel presentations at UAB that focus on a range of subjects, including diversity in clinical trials, emerging pathogens, precision medicine and public-private partnerships.
The conference offers attendees a chance to gain insights into the latest advancements in biotechnology and healthcare, connect with thought leaders, participate in engaging discussions and learn more about Birmingham’s biotech community, Carpenter said.
In addition to Southern Research, presenting sponsors include Alabama Power and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Other sponsors include Williams Blackstock Architects, Porter White & Company, O’Neal Industries, Altec, Brasfield & Gorrie, Corporate Realty, McKinney Capital, Prosper, Protective, Regions, Swatek Vaughn & Bryan, Warren Averett, and Maynard Nexsen.
