What’s Inside: San Carlos Proposes Ban on Biosafety Level 3 Labs; Caltrain Weekend Service Suspension; $30K Small Business Grant Contest; Participate in Our Workforce Trends Survey; and more.

Find the latest news and information impacting the Bay Area life science industry, including local policy updates and how it affects your business, capital development initiatives, community and networking opportunities, workforce-related information and ways to maximize your savings with our Purchasing Group. If you have company news you’d like to share, please get in touch.

Welcome New Bay Area Members

Aperture Therapeutics — San Carlos
Eugit Therapeutics — San Francisco
Graymark Capital — San Francisco
Summit Therapeutics — Menlo Park

View our entire Member Directory here.

Advocacy and Public Policy

SF Mayor London Breed Delivers State of the City Address
In her State of the City address on Thursday, Mayor Breed highlighted her aggressive plans to build more affordable housing and plans to deal with the homeless crisis. Among other issues, she also proposed a Roadmap for the Future of Downtown, a comprehensive plan that details ongoing and new strategies that set a vision to reimagine Downtown’s economic recovery and role.

San Carlos Proposal to Ban Biosafety Level 3 Labs
On Monday, the San Carlos Planning Commission heard an unprecedented, proposed ban on Biosafety Level 3 labs, which are a rare but necessary component of some life-saving research processes. Biocom California staff testified at the hearing on the regulatory compliance and overall safety of life science facilities. We urged the Planning Commission to instead move forward with a conditional use permit process. The commission directed staff to come back within 30 days with more information about BSL-3 operations and an option for these facilities to utilize a conditional use permit process.

Bay Area Cities Fall Behind on Housing Deadline
The state requires all local governments in the state, both cities and counties, to adopt a Housing Element by January 31, 2023, in order to reach mandated housing production goals. Out of 109 jurisdictions in the Bay Area, just three will reach compliance on time. Missing the deadline will open the region for developers and allow them to break typical zoning rules.

Caltrain Weekend Service Shutdowns
To finish critical electrification construction and testing in time to begin passenger service in 2024, Caltrain will be suspending rail service in select areas on weekends throughout the year starting February 11, 2023. Visit caltrain.com/status for the latest information.

Subscribe to Our Policy and Regulatory Affairs Newsletters
Stay up to date on important local, state, and federal policy and regulatory announcements that affect the life science industry with our Policy and Regulatory Affairs newsletters. Subscribe here.

In Other News:

After 12 storms rolled through the state, the Bay Area sees significant improvement in drought conditions.
California Supreme Court ends legal limbo for over $545M in Bay Area bridge tolls.
Caltrain receives $367M in state funding to finish its electrification project.
California rejected Berkeley’s housing plan, exposing it to potential fines and the threat of developers that aren’t confined by local zoning restrictions.
Arjun Batra, a retired tech worker, was appointed the last seat on the San Jose City Council.
The future of BART hinges on voter-approved funding measure that would partially subsidize the transit agency.
With an estimated deficit of $728M, San Francisco Mayor London Breed told departments to slash spending and prepare for the worst.
The cost of the proposed extension of a Caltrain high-speed rail tunnel was estimated at nearly $6.7B.
New board committees released by San Francisco Board President Aaron Peskin show little dramatic change, but some potential.
SF Board of Supervisors passed an ambitious housing element plan to build 82,000 new units by 2031.
San Francisco Bay Ferry is exploring how best to serve Bay Area residents in the years to come through a survey.
Pro-housing activists filed lawsuits against Bay Area cities and counties stating they violated state law by missing a housing deadline.

Capital Development and Partnering

Companies Presenting at the Global Partnering & Investor Conference
Congratulations to the companies chosen to present at our 13th annual Global Life Science Partnering & Investor Conference later this month. They represent a broad array of therapeutic areas including cardiovascular, CNS, dermatology, cell and gene therapy, immunology, infectious disease, oncology and many others. Each company will present their innovations to global pharma business development teams and many other life science investors attending the conference. Find more information about the conference here.

Apply Now: Asahi Kasei Pharma Open Innovation Program 
Asahi Kasei Pharma is seeking researchers at universities, institutes, and enterprises outside of Japan for its Open Innovation Program 2023. Researchers specializing in new drug target molecules, drug candidates, therapeutic concepts and technologies in autoimmune, renal, bone, neurodegenerative diseases and pain, and drug discovery platform technologies are invited to apply. The application period closes on February 27, 2023. More information about the program can be found here.

Deadline Extended for MedTech Innovator Applications
Medtech startups looking to enter the Asia-Pacific market or region are encouraged to apply to the Medtech Innovator-APAC Program. The program will select 20 startups to join the new cohort and participate in various in-person and virtual pitch events to qualify for a chance to win $175,000 in non-dilutive funding. The deadline is extended to February 15, 2023, apply here today.

Talent and Workforce Development

Your Input is Needed for Our Workforce Trends Report
Biocom California Institute is working with the Coalition of State Bioscience Institutes (CSBI) and life science companies across the country to assess the most pressing talent needs in the industry, and we are requesting your company’s participation in our online survey. This information will help us identify actions to develop talent, and survey results will inform a national report to be released at the BIO conference in June. Your individual responses will be confidential and reported in aggregate with responses from other bioscience companies, and only your company name will be included in the list of responders. Start the survey here. Reach out to our Director, Workforce Strategy & Innovation, Vicki Brannock for more information.

Exposing Contra Costa County Educators and Students to Career Pathways
On January 31, Contra Costa County Office of Education and Earn & Learn hosted the annual Health Careers Day for local high schools. Biocom California Institute and Illumina partnered to present biotechnology and life science industry workforce trends, and to highlight the variety of genomics careers available. Over 150 teachers and students joined the online event to learn about various health-related career paths and educational opportunities available in the Bay Area. View the webinars here, and contact us if you’d like more information.

Savings and Purchasing Group

FedEx Small Business Grant Contest is Now Open: Chance to Win $30K
Calling all life science small business entrepreneurs: the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest is now open. The annual grant program seeks to reward small businesses for their hard work and innovation all year long by recognizing ten winners with $30K each—helping you drive your business further. Download the contest pamphlet here, and be sure to submit your application before February 21 to be considered.

Looking for Lab or Office Space?
Biocom California is working together with incubators in the Bay Area to deliver the resources needed to accelerate your growth. Check out our Bay Area incubator partners.

Committees and Working Groups

Please email the committee staff if you’re interested in attending

Feb 28 | Regulatory Affairs Committee | Virtual, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Apr 5 | C ell & Gene Therapy Committee | South San Francisco,
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. (simulcast to Los Angeles and San Diego)

Community and Events

Premium Member News

Bonneville Labs has coworking lab and office spaces with customizable memberships for every life science need. Whether you’re a single-bench startup or an established company, they can help you find the right space. Bonneville Labs currently has availability in Berkeley, South San Francisco and their newest campus in Hayward. All locations feature flexible terms, easy access to freeways and custom amenities. Take a virtual tour or contact them for more information.

Gilead awards $7.6M in grants for health equity in breast cancer and received FDA approval for Trodelvy to treat patients with HR-positive and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.

Member News

4D Molecular Therapeutics received FDA clearance of its IND application for 4D-150, a genetic medicine for the treatment of diabetic macular edema.

Allogene Therapeutics published preclinical data in Clinical Cancer Research supporting DLL3 as a promising tumor target for AlloCar T small cell lung cancer.

AltruBio doses first patient in Phase 1 trial of its next-generation immune checkpoint enhancer ALTB-268 to treat ulcerative colitis.

Atreca and Xencor are collaborating on developing a T-cell engaging bispecific antibody directed against novel solid tumor target.

California Institute of Regenerative Medicine elected Dr. Vito Imbasciani to serve as chair of the California stem cell agency.

Federation Bio and MD Anderson announce collaboration to develop novel microbiome treatment for patients with immunotherapy-resistant cancers.

Herophilus announced in vivo studies of its first small molecule therapy for Rett Syndrome, HRP-12975, are being funded in part by the Rett Syndrome Research Trust.

IgGenix closes $40M in Series B financing to advance its lead antibody program in peanut allergies to the clinic.

Inscripta buys out two synthetic biology companies, Infinome Biosciences and Sestina Bio.

Kite and Arcellx close agreement to co-develop and co-commercialize late-stage clinical CART-ddBCMA to treat relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Pangaea was named “Digital Solution of the Year” by the UK Government’s Department for International Trade

Pliant Therapeutics receives FDA clearance of investigational new drug application for PLN-101095, a novel integrin inhibitor for the treatment of solid tumors.

Rubedo Life Sciences was awarded $1.45M from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine for its Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis program targeting senescent lung stem cells.

Sana Biotechnology gets its first FDA approval to start a clinical trial for its allogenic CAR-T therapy.

Summit Therapeutics closes agreement with Akeso Inc. to in-license its breakthrough bispecific antibody, ivonescimab.

Twist Bioscience begins shipping commercial product from ‘synthetic DNA manufacturing factory of the future.’

Vir Biotechnology announces retirement of CEO George Scangos, appoints Marianne De Backer as successor.

Biocom California | Bay Area

Biocom California is the largest, most experienced leader and advocate for California’s life science sector. Our South San Francisco office aims to build the networks that are critical to growth in this thriving regional ecosystem. Our targeted programs and customized services are tailored to the specific needs of the Bay Area region. We work on behalf of more than 1,700 members to drive public policy, build an enviable network of industry leaders, create access to capital, introduce cutting-edge STEM education programs, and create robust value-driven purchasing programs.

What’s Inside: Letter from Our LA Executive Director; Progress Toward Inclusive Leadership; LA Declares State of Emergency on Homelessness; Southern California Natural Gas Bill Increases; Global Life Science Partnering & Investor Conference; and more.

Letter from Biocom California’s LA Executive Director
Thanks to all of you and our community, 2022 was a pivotal year for our industry in the greater LA region—the strength, resilience, and benefits of collaborating with the life science industry took center stage in several arenas. 2023 is our year to work with and focus our government leaders on supporting and investing in the life sciences, removing development barriers and continuing our growth momentum despite current macro-economic challenges. You are a significant component of this great energy and support, and we thank you for your time and investment thus far. We look forward to building on this success and achieving even greater heights together in 2023!

Read the full letter here.

Submit Your News

Welcome New Los Angeles Members

American ShengSheng Supply Chain LLC – Inglewood
Holoclara Inc. – Los Angeles
LovedBy Ltd. – London, UK
Omics Edge LLC – Miami, Florida
PhageNova Bio Inc. – Brentwood
VPIX Medical Inc. – West Los Angeles
Wavemaker360 – Pasadena

View our entire Member Directory here.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Making Progress Toward More Inclusive Leadership
We are committed to fostering more diversity and building accountability in our industry and encourage members to engage with us through our Board-level DE&I Committee, our DE&I Resource Center, at our Annual DE&I Leadership Summit, and at our DE&I events throughout the year. We look forward to continuing this momentum through our membership program with MESH/diversity, our new ~~Female~~ Life Science CEOs event series that has already garnered media attention, our new Black Biotech Trailblazers event series, and by applying to be our new Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Biocom California.

Advocacy and Public Policy

LA Declares State of Emergency on Homelessness
Both the County and City of LA have declared a state of emergency on homelessness in the region. Recently sworn-in LA Mayor Karen Bass made the declaration her first act in office. The state of emergency will help clear the way for efforts to improve upon the housing crisis both at the city and county levels.

Natural Gas Bills Increase for Many Southern California Residents
While natural gas prices have plunged in many parts of the country, Southern California Gas Co. and San Diego Gas & Electric have warned customers that their January bills could double. The historically high gas costs are mainly due to sinking inventories, supply constraints, and the colder-than-normal temperatures seen at the start of the year.

LA Council President Releases New Council Committee Assignments
The new council committee assignments, released by Council President Paul Krekorian and subject to approval by the full council, include five new members joining the council. Krekorian appointed Councilman Bob Blumenfield to chair the Budget and Finance committee and consolidated the Homelessness and Poverty Committee with the Housing Committee to create the Housing and Homelessness Committee.

Additional Highlights:

LA City Council approved a $50 million emergency fund for Mayor Bass’ homeless initiative.
Seven candidates have qualified for the ballot in the special election to replace former Los Angeles City Councilmember Nury Martinez.
The LA City Council voted to extend the local state of emergency in the city after recent storms brought heavy rainfall.
LA County seeks to implement CARE Court, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s program to connect individuals with severe mental illness to housing and treatment, by December 1, 2023.

Capital Development and Partnering

ICYMI: Biocom California 2022 Life Science Economic Impact Report
Last November, Biocom California launched our 2022 Life Science Economic Impact Report—a refreshed analysis and vital barometer of the profound impact the life science industry has in California. The 52-page report created in partnership with Deloitte reveals how California continues to be the leading innovation hub for life sciences, providing more than 400,000 jobs in the state and generating $376 billion in total economic output. The Los Angeles Cluster employs 91,633 total direct life science employees and receives the most NIH and NSF funding of any county in California. The industry is a significant contributor to the region with over $87 billion in economic impact in 2021. Learn more here.

Coming Soon: A New Life Science Founder and Investor Fundraising Platform
Today’s world is more connected than ever, and we believe that the fundraising and investing processes should be as well. That’s why Biocom California is launching an all-new fundraising platform, enabling you to discover new investment opportunities, streamline your fundraising efforts, and build your network. Our one-stop platform is launching next month at our Global Partnering and Investment Conference and is built with both founders and investors in mind. Preparing to raise your next round of funding? Looking for the next undiscovered investment opportunity? We are here to help.

Talent and Workforce Development

Developing our Future Workforce
An unwavering shared mission of both our Biocom California Institute and Generation STEAM is ensuring a pipeline of talent for generations to come. We are bringing genomics education to the classroom through our partnership with Illumina Genomic Discoveries, Life Science Young Leaders program, San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering, and expanded program offerings in Los Angeles and the Bay Area in the months ahead.

Support Diversity through Mentorship, Internships, and Company Tours
One of our newest members, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, is the only HBCU (historically Black colleges and universities) in California. Generation STEAM, Biocom California’s nonprofit affiliate, has teamed up with the university to support CDU’s Biomedical Sciences Enrichment Program, a 10-month program designed to expose students to careers in biomedical, biotechnology and biopharma industries, with a goal of diversifying the talent pool within the field by incorporating Black and Latino students. Students are predominantly biomedical and biotech research undergrad and grad students who were selected to participate in the program via an application process. We are looking for individuals and companies alike to support this program via mentorship, summer internships, and/or company tours. Contact Silvana DelPiccolo to learn more.

Savings and Purchasing Group

Sustainable Procurement Practices Webinar | February 7
Each member company is on their own journey towards sustainable goals, and our purchasing portfolio is equipped with environmental partners eager to work with them every step of the way. This webinar aims to address ways in which our members can leverage their purchasing power to promote sustainability and achieve their science-based KPIs. Our panel of speakers will discuss sustainable procurement practices for laboratories and office spaces, as well as the importance of sustainably managing byproducts and choosing disposal methods. Register here.

Save the Date: Earth Day Sustainability Reception | April 20
The next event in our sustainability series is our 7th Annual Earth Day Sustainability Reception on April 20 in San Diego. Hear from top industry experts as they discuss unique sustainability challenges our industry is facing and the innovative solutions our members and partners are using to combat the climate crisis and improve the human condition. Register here.

Applications for Low-Interest Financing Extended Until March 10
Innovation often comes with a high price tag. Thankfully, Thermo Fisher is making it easier to maximize resources and enable success through their Financial Solutions program. We are proud to announce applications for their limited-time, low-interest rate offer has been extended until March 10. Participants may receive interest rates as low as 4 percent on all Thermo Fisher products and services; well below the market prime rate of 6.25 percent. Learn more here.

Upcoming Biocom California Events in Greater Los Angeles

Los Angeles Life Science Happy Hour

Thursday, February 23
Father’s Office

Biocom California and Fisher Scientific invite you to a happy hour at Father’s Office in Culver City to network with fellow life science enthusiasts in the greater Los Angeles region. This event aims to help build and foster the community and promote idea sharing to accelerate growth in the region.

Spotlight on Thousand Oaks & Westlake Village

Wednesday, March 15
Virtual

Join us for the next installment of our Greater LA Spotlight series where we highlight life science industry trends, challenges, and opportunities in various micro-clusters across the region. In this upcoming webinar, we are going to revisit Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village to learn about the investment dollars flowing into the region and the explosive industry growth since since 2021.

UCLA MedTech Partnering Conference

Tuesday, February 28
UCLA Luskin Conference Center

Join us for a unique opportunity for inventors, investors and industry executives to establish new relationships for furthering innovation in this field. The conference will feature exciting panels that highlight recent developments and cutting edge technology.

Global Life Science Partnering & Investor Conference

February 28 – March 3
The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Join us for an exclusive global partnering and networking forum that brings together senior executives, bankers, venture capitalists, and business development professionals from leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

Community and Events

Feb 27 – March 3 | #LAMedTechWeek
April 1 | City of Stem LA Maker Faire

Member & Industry News

Accendowave‘s CEO Martha Lawrence shared insight on how employers can provide resources to improve the mental health of employees, their families, and communities.

Armata Pharmaceuticals announced closing $30M secured convertible credit agreement with Innoviva Strategic Opportunities LLC.

Atara Biotherapeutics received European Commission approval for Ebvallo (tabelecleucel), the first therapy for adults and children with EBV+ PTLD.

Cal State LA will resume the BioStart Bioscience Entrepreneurs Boot Camp that prepares emerging bioscience entrepreneurs to launch their own ventures.

City of Hope opened a five-story, 147-room patient hotel to accommodate those recovering from cancer treatments, families, and traveling medical professionals.

CTIP announced the 2023 Annual Health Equity FlexGrants; deadline to apply is Friday, February 10, 2023.

Dantari raised $47M in Series A funding, which will go toward building a proprietary platform for developing oncology drugs.

Grifols and Provivi were finalists in the Los Angeles Business Journal‘s International Business Awards for leadership in essential plasma-derived medicines and for sustainable crop protection, respectively.

ImmunityBio received an additional $107M in financing from founder Patrick Soon-Shiong.

Kite acquired 50 percent stake in cancer drug developed by Bay Area pharma company Arcellx for $225M in cash and $100M in equity investment.

LA Economic Development Corp announced Chief Operating Officer Stephen Cheung will assume the role as chief executive and president of the organization.

PBS Biotech raised $22M to expand single-use manufacturing products and services for cell therapy clients.

USC unveiled plans for a new research facility at its Health Sciences Campus.

Submit your news here.

Biocom California | Greater Los Angeles

Biocom California is the largest, most experienced leader and advocate for California’s life science sector. Our Los Angeles office aims to build the networks that are critical to growth in this thriving regional ecosystem. Our targeted programs and customized services are tailored to the specific needs of the Greater Los Angeles area, as we understand the life science sector’s unique challenges in the region and are collaborating on working toward solutions. We work on behalf of more than 1,700 members to drive public policy, build an enviable network of industry leaders, create access to capital, introduce cutting-edge STEM education programs, and create robust value-driven purchasing programs.

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Reintroducing the Grande Colonial Hotel; Join Our Bid Council for Industry Insights; MMA Wants to Help Your Company Be More Sustainable; Upcoming Events; and more.

New to the Portfolio

Featured Products & Services

Lab & Facilities

Environment & Sustainability

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Upcoming Events & Webinars

Featured Partners

Purchasing Group’s Endorsed Partners in the News:

Biocom California Purchasing Group

What’s Inside: 15th Annual San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering; $30K Small Business Grant Contest; State of the County Address; City Hires Temp Workers to Address Permit Backlog; Volunteer Opportunities; and more.

Read more about how a ‘robust ecosystem’ gives strength to San Diego’s life science sector here.

Member News

Biocom California | San Diego

What’s Inside: Announcing Our New Board Members; CIRM Elects Dr. Imbasciani as Chair; Gilead Receives $7.6M to Advance Health Equity in Breast Cancer; and more.

New Members Added to Board of Directors and Board of Governors

NextMed Health Conference

Policy Perspective

Biocom California Hosts Meet & Greets with Members of Congress

National COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ending

Biocom California Unveils FDA User Fee Infographics

Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs Order to Protect California’s Water Supply

California Will End its COVID-19 State of Emergency This Month

New Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Rule Takes Effect

Land Development Code 2022 Code Update

Moorpark College to Offer Community College Bachelor’s Degree

San Carlos Proposal to Ban Biosafety Level 3 Labs

Featured Premium Members

Biocom California

What’s Inside: Biocom California Hosts Meet and Greets on Capitol Hill; FDA User Fee Infographics; COVID-19 Emergency Ending; Comment Opportunities; California Drought Conditions; San Diego Land Development Code Update; LA Homeless Initiatives; San Carlos Ban on BSL 3 Labs; and more.

Biocom California Hosts Meet & Greets with Members of Congress

Federal Affairs

Biocom California Sends Comments to Federal Agencies

Biocom California Unveils FDA User Fee Infographics

COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ending

HHS Releases Initial Drug Pricing Guidance

Comment Opportunities for Members

State Affairs

Recent Rains Not Enough to Eliminate California Drought

California Will End its COVID-19 State of Emergency This Month

New Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Rule Takes Effect

Regional Affairs

San Diego

City of San Diego Hires Private Workers to Help with Permit Backlog

Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas Delivers State of the County

Land Development Code 2022 Update

Los Angeles

Moorpark College to Offer Community College Bachelor’s Degree

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Executive Staff Appointments

LA Approves Funding for Homelessness Initiatives

Bay Area

San Carlos Proposal to Ban Biosafety Level 3 Labs

Bay Area Cities Fall Behind on Housing Deadline

Sen. Scott Wiener Pushes for More Transit Funding

Alameda Board of Supervisors Richard Valle Passes Away

Public Policy Events

Meet the Team

Biocom California Advocacy

What’s Inside: San Carlos Proposes Ban on Biosafety Level 3 Labs; Caltrain Weekend Service Suspension; $30K Small Business Grant Contest; Participate in Our Workforce Trends Survey; and more.

Committees and Working Groups

Biocom California | Bay Area

The Latest in Regulatory and Reimbursement

Request for Comments

Featured Members

Biocom California

What’s Inside: Gear Up for Our Partnering & Investor Conference; Applications Open for Innovation Program; Ways to be a Mentor; Takeaways from JPM 2023; and more.

Member News

Biocom California | San Diego

What’s Inside: Letter from Our LA Executive Director; Progress Toward Inclusive Leadership; LA Declares State of Emergency on Homelessness; Southern California Natural Gas Bill Increases; Global Life Science Partnering & Investor Conference; and more.

Biocom California | Greater Los Angeles

Thermo Fisher Low-Interest Rate Applications Extended; Evaluate Your ESG with Marsh McLennan Agency; Learn About Sustainable Procurement at Our Webinar; and more.

Featured Products & Services

Lab & Facilities

Environment & Sustainability

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Upcoming Events & Webinars

Featured Partners

Purchasing Group’s Endorsed Partners in the News:

What’s Inside: Biocom California Hosts Meet and Greets on Capitol Hill; FDA User Fee Infographics; COVID-19 Emergency Ending; Comment Opportunities; California Drought Conditions; San Diego Land Development Code Update; LA Homeless Initiatives;
San Carlos Ban on BSL 3 Labs; and more.