Annual award honors governors for their leadership and commitment to strengthening biotechnology in their state BOSTON (June 17, 2025) – Today, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) named Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey its 2025 Governor of the Year, recognizing her leadership in advancing biotechnology as a cornerstone of the state’s economy and her commitment to strengthening Massachusetts’s position as a global leader in the field. “Massachusetts has been a pioneer and leader in biotechnology for decades, and Governor Healey is continuing to grow its heritage of innovation through smart investment, public-private partnership, and collaboration,” said John F. Crowley, President & CEO of BIO. “Governor Healey’s dedication to workforce development and venture capital investment positions Massachusetts to maintain its leadership in the life sciences at this critical time as we embark into the golden age of medicine.”Governor Healey’s hallmark achievement in supporting biotechnology and the life sciences has been the Mass Leads Act, which included reauthorization of the Massachusetts’ Life Sciences Initiative for another 10 years. The reauthorization provides $1 billion to support biotechnology and life sciences in the state, including $500 million focused on capital investment in the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, a program that launches funding programs, partnerships, and investments across the Commonwealth.Additionally, she’s made the state more attractive to life sciences companies by increasing the Life Sciences Tax Incentive cap from $30 million to $40 million per year to encourage job creation and investment growth.The investments are returning dividends in job creation with the state eclipsing 140,000 jobs in the sector, increased venture capital investment, and almost two dozen companies receiving FDA approvals in the state."It’s an honor to be named BIO’s Governor of the Year. It’s a testament to the important…

Industry veteran takes the helm as Dr. Ted Love concludes two-year term marked by strategic growth and transition BOSTON (June 16, 2025) – Today, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) announced that Fritz Bittenbender, Senior Vice President and Head of Genentech Public Affairs and Access, has been elected Board Chair. Bittenbender assumes the Chair position from Ted W. Love, MD, former president and CEO of Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT), who held the position from 2023 to 2025. The announcement came following Board elections on Monday, June 16, during the 2025 BIO International Convention in Boston, June 16 - 19, 2025. “During his tenure as Board Chair, Ted guided BIO through a time of meaningful transition and great progress for science, medicine, and patients. His leadership was instrumental in shaping our vision for the future. All in our industry are appreciative of Ted’s vision and dedication, and I personally am deeply grateful for his support and partnership during my first year as CEO,” said John F. Crowley, BIO President and CEO. Crowley continued, “I am also thrilled to welcome Fritz as our new Board Chair. With decades of experience in healthcare policy and market access, Fritz embodies the spirit of our industry—driving innovation with a deep commitment to patients. His vision and leadership at this pivotal moment for the industry will help ensure BIO continues to strengthen and advance the biotechnology sector and that the industry’s breakthrough science reaches those who need it most.” For more than 20 years, Bittenbender has been a vocal champion for collaborative solutions that improve the healthcare ecosystem on behalf of patients. Prior to joining Genentech, Bittenbender served as Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at BIO from 2012 to 2015, where he oversaw a fully integrated public affairs department, including federal and state government relations, communications, alliance development, and…

The world’s largest biotech gathering unites 20,000+ leaders to accelerate breakthroughs that heal, protect, and nourish humanityBOSTON (June 16, 2025) The BIO International Convention, the world’s largest and most comprehensive event for the biotechnology industry, opens today in Boston. It will convene more than 20,000 biotech and life sciences leaders from around the globe.Spanning four days, the convention features more than 180 sessions and 1100 speakers across 20 focus areas — from AI and digital health to next-generation biotherapeutics, business development, and more. Participants include leading biotech companies, investors, service providers, government officials, regulators, and patient advocates, representing the full ecosystem of biotechnology, from startups and academic institutions to established pharmaceutical leaders and global policymakers.BIO International is the premier hub for deal-making, with more than 10,000+ partnering delegates and 60,000+ partnering meetings expected to take place during the event. Key sessions will explore:AI and Machine Learning in Drug DiscoveryNext-Generation Cell and Gene TherapiesPublic Policy and Global RegulationInvestment Trends in BiotechPatient-Centered InnovationThe broad lineup of notable speakers includes President George W. Bush; FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary, M.D., M.P.H.; Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey; Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro; Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare; Lord Vallance, UK Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation; H.E. Prof. Dr. Hisham Saad Aljadhey, CEO, Saudi Food and Drug Authority; Dr. Angela Belcher, National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology;  Dr. Michelle Rozo, National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology; and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Broadcaster, and Entrepreneur, Michael Strahan. This year, the convention will feature the BIO Storytelling…