Invest in Innovation: 2021 Biotech Showcase
Invest in Innovation: Attend the 2021 Biotech Showcase
The Iowa Biotechnology Association (IowaBio) has announced the finalists for the 6th annual Biotech Showcase, a bioscience pitch competition offering a $10,000 prize to the winning company. The competition will take place March 2, 2021, during IowaBio’s annual Iowa Biotech Showcase & Conference (“IBSC” – formerly known as Partnering for Growth), to be held virtually in light of COVID-19.
This year’s Biotech Showcase sponsor is Corteva Agriscience, an IowaBio member and a global pure-play agriculture company that provides farmers with the industry’s most complete portfolio of seed, crop protection and digital solutions focused on helping maximize productivity to enhance yield and profitability.
“At Corteva Agriscience, we know that no one can solve the world’s biggest challenges alone – which is why we’re proud to serve as a catalyst for ideas, collaborations and progress through our work in Open Innovation,” said Mat Muller, Leader – Technology Acquisition and Licensing at Corteva Agriscience. “We’re pleased to sponsor this year’s Biotech Showcase and to recognize the immense potential represented in this year’s finalists.”
Eight startup finalists have been carefully selected to compete in the Biotech Showcase based on their innovative technologies across diverse biotechnology industries, including a variety of human and animal health technologies, food supply management platforms, and remote management for livestock facilities. The participating startups are gathered from around the United States, with 50 percent of them based in Iowa.
The 2021 Biotech Showcase finalists are:
- 3D Health Solutions, Inc – Ames, IA; www.3dhealth.solutions
- CartilaGen, Inc. – Iowa City, IA; www.cartilagen.com
- Distynct – Ames, IA; getdistynct.com
- FBB Biomed – Coralville, IA; FBBbio.com
- Hilltop BioSciences, Inc. – Mansfield, MA; www.HilltopBio.com
- LEAH Labs – Rochester, MN; www.leahlabs.com
- Mazen Animal Health, Inc – St. Joseph, MO; www.mazenanimalhealth.com
- Otrafy – St. Paul, MN; www.otrafy.com
All eight finalists have pre-recorded their full pitch, which are currently available for viewing at www.iowabio.org/IBSCshowcase. On the day of the Biotech Showcase, the finalists will present a live, two-minute “elevator pitch” to a designated expert judge in front of the IBSC virtual attendees. Five minutes of Q&A will follow from the designated judge, and IBSC attendees will have an opportunity to vote on and select a “Fan Favorite.”
Participating judges who will select the Biotech Showcase winner include industry influencers and entrepreneurs from organizations like MedCara Pharmaceuticals, BrownWinick Law, PCS Biotech, and Cargill.
“We are thrilled to once again present the Biotech Showcase as a part of our annual conference,” shared Executive Director Jessica Hyland. “This showcase shines a spotlight on the latest innovation and cutting-edge technology happening in the heartland and across the country. This competition is a great way to support these companies and get the word out about the amazing technologies they are developing. We have an excellent group of companies competing this year, and we can’t wait for the audience to learn more about them.”
Past Biotech Showcase winners have included Skroot Laboratories (2020), Cardio Diagnostics (2019), SynderBio (2018), Aptimmune (2017), and Viewpoint Molecular Targeting (2016).
For a complete list of the 2021 finalists, visit www.iowabio.org/IBSCshowcase.
To see the full, two-day agenda for the Iowa Biotech Showcase & Conference, visit: www.iowabio.org/IBSCagenda.
About the Iowa Biotech Showcase & Conference
The Iowa Biotech Showcase & Conference (formerly Partnering for Growth) is a two-day conference on March 2 and 3 featuring a biotech pitch competition, entrepreneur essentials and key collaborations sessions, industry-specific tracks, a plenary keynote and panel featuring past Biotech Showcase winners, an industry-focused legislative update, and a 1:1 meeting scheduler. IBSC brings together innovators, investors, biotech leaders, and support vendors, and provides top-notch information and content for our diverse membership. Corteva Agriscience is currently the top sponsor of the 2021 conference. For more information, visit www.iowabio.org/IBSC.
About the Iowa Biotechnology Association
Since 1994, the Iowa Biotechnology Association has provided benefits and services to promote the interests and growth of the life sciences industries in Iowa. They are a non-profit, membership-based organization with a diversified membership including industry companies from all segments of biotechnology, universities and colleges, state and federal associations, as well as numerous service and support companies. The Association seeks to promote the success and growth of biotech-based business in Iowa, ultimately securing the state’s strong biotech economy while growing business and increasing our influence nationally and around the globe. For more information, visit IowaBio.org.
