NCLifeSci Blog

NC lawmakers outline strategies for life sciences growth at forum

North Carolina legislators emphasized the need for unified industry vision and sustained advocacy as key strategies for advancing the state's life sciences sector during the NCLifeSci Legislative Forum and Luncheon held Oct. 23 at the NC Biotechnology Center. The co-chairs of the NC General... Continue Reading

Pharma tariffs punish industry investing billions in North Carolina

The NC Life Sciences Organization is profoundly concerned about the recently announced 100% tariff on brand-name pharmaceuticals made by President Donald Trump. This policy, if implemented, would have severe and far-reaching negative consequences for patients, the life sciences industry and the... Continue Reading

Expert highlights manager effect on employee retention Q3 BMF meeting

Lynne Whitesell of Harris Whitesell Consulting Biotech manufacturing companies can dramatically improve employee retention by focusing on immediate manager quality, with great supervisors making workers three times more likely to stay, a workforce consultant told industry leaders at the... Continue Reading

2025 NCLifeSci Annual Meeting highlights innovation, challenges

The North Carolina Life Sciences Organization's 2025 Annual Meeting brought together industry leaders, researchers and policymakers Sept. 17 at SAS headquarters in Cary to address pressing challenges facing the state's thriving biotechnology sector. More than 300 attendees registered to hear... Continue Reading

2025 Annual Dinner: BioCryst CEO Jon Stonehouse on building a biotech success story

NCLifeSci President Laura Gunter with BioCryst Pharmaceuticals CEO Jon Stonehouse BioCryst Pharmaceuticals CEO Jon Stonehouse said his nearly 19-year tenure leading the rare disease biotech company has been marked by multiple "near-death experiences" that ultimately forged a resilient culture... Continue Reading

Three NC community college students awarded 2025 Sam Taylor Scholarships

2025-26 Sam Taylor Scholarship recipients Michael Butcher, Shawn Moore and DeAnthonie Taylor with Tracey Wyrick of Montgomery Community College and Brenda Grubb and April Raines of Central Community College at the 2025 NCLifeSci Annual Meeting Three NC Community Colleges students have been... Continue Reading

Forum: Life sciences real estate market faces headwinds as AI reshapes industry

North Carolina positioned well despite national challenges, but infrastructure gaps remain Continue Reading

BMF meeting explores building trade skills pipeline in North Carolina 

Workforce training, the skilled trades and opportunities for veterans were the focus of the second quarter meeting of the NCLifeSci Biomanufacturers Forum held July 9 at the NC Biotechnology Center. As North Carolina's life sciences sector continues its rapid expansion, industry leaders are... Continue Reading

Federal commission launches biotechnology tour in North Carolina

The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology launched its nationwide "Biotech Across America" roadshow in North Carolina in June, highlighting the state's role as a key player in the nation's biotechnology ecosystem. NSCEB Vice Chair Michelle Rozo kicked off the three-month tour on... Continue Reading

Forum explores unprecedented changes at FDA and challenges, opportunities that come with

Megan Robertson, Juliana Blum, Anna Abram, Charity Schuller and Cartier Esham NCLifeSci members were treated to a candid panel discussion of the rapid-fire changes being made at the Food and Drug Administration and the complex challenges facing the agency in 2025. The event was held May 15 at... Continue Reading

AgBio 2025 brings North Carolina, Virginia together to explore agriculture, biotech

Life sciences organizations in North Carolina and Virginia came together at AgBio 2025 to explore the intersection between agriculture and biotechnology at the NC Biotechnology Center on Wednesday, April 9. Hosted by NCLifeSci, Virginia Bio, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and... Continue Reading

BMF members focus on sustainability in first quarter meeting

The NCLifeSci Biomanufacturing Forum held its first quarterly meeting of 2025 on March 18 with a focus on sustainability. The meeting kicked off with drinks, dinner and a round of introductions. Attendees then heard updates from government relations consultant Joe Lanier, principal at Milestone... Continue Reading