Skip to content

About IowaBio

The Iowa Biotechnology Association (IowaBio), a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association, was founded in 1994 to unify Iowa's bioscience industry, academic research institutions and economic development organizations. We represent more than 100 members spanning across our state, who are vested in Iowa and in the biotech industry.

The Association has worked steadily to establish a strong identity for the industry and speak with one voice for our diverse membership, seeking to influence policies on both the state and federal level that will enable more efficient growth for Iowa and the United States. Our Association is focused on fostering a stronger business and research climate and working with leaders across the state to attract and retain bioscience talent, companies and funding. Iowa is abundant in talent, resources, and infrastructure – we want to focus on industry vitalization.

Iowa’s bio-based economy already encompasses development of industrial enzymes, livestock genetics, seed genetics, human gene research, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, advanced bio-composites, biomass technologies and healthy foods/beverages. Iowa is home to global companies known for developing new plant hybrids for grains, leading genetics for beef and dairy production and many contributions to the rapid expansion of enzymes used for ethanol bio-processing.

The biotechnology industries are growing at a rapid pace and the Iowa Biotechnology Association will work to ensure that Iowa remains a leader in this competitive, global economy. From human health to animals, food to the environment, and pharmaceuticals to biofuels, our diverse membership helps to improve and sustain wellbeing, in the state of Iowa and around the world. We advocate actively on our members’ behalf to create investment and partnership opportunities, attract and retain the very best people, and support public policy that fosters their continued growth.

Our Association works diligently to secure lucrative purchase agreements that benefit our members. These significant cost savings far outweigh our reasonable membership fees. In addition, the Association provides monthly industry updates, event information and various networking resources to ensure growth in Iowa’s life science industries and to enhance the progress of our members. These events, programs and other member benefits are designed to enhance the progress of our industry and our members. If you are not yet a member, please take time to learn more by touring our website or by calling our Executive Director with any questions you may have about the association.

The Iowa Biotechnology Association is the state affiliate organization of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). BIO is a national organization representing more than 1,000 biotech companies, academic institutions, state biotech centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. Our Association enjoys the benefits of the membership in BIO as well as the Council of State Bioscience Associations.  Through this relationship, Iowa Biotech participates in an annual BIO Fly-In, a program that brings over 1,000 leaders of the national biotech industry to lobby Congress.