NCLifeSci Blog

Workforce hiring data drives discussion at Q3 BMF meeting

The NC Life Sciences Organization's Biotech Manufacturers Forum met Sept. 23 for its third-quarter session, bringing together site leaders, human resources teams and academic partners to examine a question raised at the group's August site leadership dinner: Does North Carolina have enough... Continue Reading

Six NC Community Colleges Students Named 2026-2027 Sam Taylor Memorial Scholars

2026 Taylor Memorial Life Sciences Scholarship recipients Sandy Creech, Christina Green, Taylor Joostema and Marisa Phisayavong-McNellie were recognized at the 2026 NCLifeSci Annual Meeting Sept. 16, 2026. The NC Life Sciences Organization, the North Carolina Community College System and the... Continue Reading

NCLifeSci Annual Meeting celebrates 50 years of biotechnology and looks to the next 50 

The NC Life Sciences Organization joined the celebration of 50 years of biotechnology innovation at its 2026 Annual Meeting at SAS in Cary on Sept. 16. Nearly 300 industry leaders, policymakers, investors and patient advocates attended the daylong program. Speakers used the 50th... Continue Reading

Panelists connect workplace mental health to culture, leadership and retention at DEI forum

Morgan Daniels of Continuum Consulting moderated a panel featuring Paola Adame of Pfizer, Drew Duncan of Biogen and Julie Wells of Give an Hour. Workplace mental health depends less on any single program and more on culture, leadership and everyday connection, panelists said during the... Continue Reading

Biotech site leaders focus on wastewater and PFAS at NCLifeSci dinner

Site leaders from 13 biomanufacturing companies met Aug. 19 for the annual NCLifeSci Biotech Manufacturer's Forum Site Leader Dinner where a state environmental official named wastewater capacity as a leading infrastructure constraint for the industry in North Carolina. The meeting and dinner... Continue Reading

To CMS: Turning an infusion into an injection is innovation, not repackaging

NCLifeSci filed formal comments urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reconsider part of its Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program proposal for 2029. One change would treat a newer subcutaneous medicine as the same drug as its intravenous predecessor, starting the pricing... Continue Reading

Forum: Real estate, infrastructure and talent define North Carolina's life sciences growth story 

CBRE's Neill Sherron moderated a panel comprising Jason Davis of GXP-Storage, Lindsey Brown with Longfellow Real Estate Partners, Matt Gladdek of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Liquidia's Michael Hunter. Supply chain resilience, facility design and regional collaboration took... Continue Reading

NCLifeSci urges changes to proposed OMB rule that would stifle innovation

NCLifeSci submitted the following comment on the proposed rule, Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, 2 CFR Part 200, Docket No. OMB-2026-0034, 91 Fed. Reg. 32189 (May 29, 2026) Dear Director: The North Carolina Life Sciences Organization submits this comment on the proposed... Continue Reading

NCLifeSci supports Pell grants for BioWork certification

The North Carolina Life Sciences Organization writes in support of Workforce Pell eligibility for students in the BioWork Process Technician certificate. We understand that colleges offering BioWork will apply to the Commission for program approval, and we submit this letter as employer evidence... Continue Reading

AI in biomanufacturing takes center stage at Q2 Biotechnology Manufacturers Forum 

Representatives from Eli Lilly & Company and Merck shared how their North Carolina manufacturing sites are putting artificial intelligence to work on the shop floor at the June 17 meeting of the NCLifeSci Biotechnology Manufacturers Forum at the NC Biotechnology Center. Kathleen Kelsey,... Continue Reading

Forum panel: AI value in medical devices depends on solving real problems, not chasing trends

PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT Artificial intelligence holds significant promise for medical devices and clinical care, but its impact depends on applying the right tool to a well-defined problem, and navigating a regulatory environment that is struggling to keep pace with the technology. Those were... Continue Reading

Panelists navigate the complex terrain of agricultural regulatory strategy at NCLifeSci agtech forum

Megan Lyman, Gina Sloan, Tim Kelliher and Patrick Doyle comprised the panel at the 2026 NCLifeSci Agtech Luncheon and Forum. The NC Life Sciences Organization brought together four agricultural technology leaders on April 15 for its Life Sciences Luncheon and Forum at the Alexandria Center... Continue Reading