On June 22-25, biotech companies of all sizes will be in San Diego, California for the 2026 BIO International Conference. The conference will attract more than 20,000 life science executives and researchers from across the world to develop business connections.

Life Science Tennessee is expanding our presence in a big way, including a larger Tennessee booth with new programming and our first-ever “Tennessee Red Carpet Day” on Wednesday in our booth in coordination with the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development (TN ECD). We'll cap off the day with a reception, the perfect chance to connect with life science professionals over Tennessee-inspired cocktails and bites.

There is still time for you to join us and help us showcase the collaborative ecosystem we have built here. Sponsorship opportunities and guest passes are available. If you're interested, reach out to our staff.

Save the date for the next Life Science Venture Program education session May 12. Join us at the University of Memphis or virtually for a session that will explore regulatory considerations for life science companies seeking to enter international markets. Stay tuned for an announcement of our featured speaker, additional networking opportunities, and registration details.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs were reauthorized on April 13 after a six-month lapse in authorization. Though details are pending regarding the Omnibus Solicitations, we applaud Congress and the administration for restoring this vital program that funds early-stage innovation.

There are several changes to the program. Among the most significant is a new category of Phase II funding for “strategic breakthrough” awards for agencies whose annual required SBIR expenditures exceed $100 million. Other changes include enhanced national security and foreign risk reviews; limits on proposal submissions; and expanded technical and business assistance funding for participating companies. 

This is especially exciting news for Tennessee life science companies who can take advantage of our state's successful SBIR/STTR Matching Fund, administered by LaunchTN. 

Immediate action needed! We are asking all LST members and ecosystem supporters to contact their state Senators regarding an important bill for our industry that faces a Senate floor vote today.

The biomarker legislation (HB 848/SB435) would help ensure patients have access to medically necessary diagnostic testing that allows physicians to match patients with the most effective treatments, particularly in areas such as cancer and other complex diseases. Expanding access to biomarker testing is a critical step toward advancing personalized medicine and supporting the continued development of innovative treatments.

Please reach out to your legislator to encourage their support for this bill.

The Southeast Venture Showcase is a transformational event that empowers research universities and federal laboratories across the Southeast to showcase their most promising technology ventures in front of the nation’s venture community.

This exclusive showcase is designed to bring together investors and early-stage technology ventures to accelerate the productization of cutting-edge research that drives real-world impact and create stakeholder value.

From June 22-25, biotech companies of all sizes will be in San Diego, California for the 2026 BIO International Conference. The conference will attract more than 20,000 life science executives and researchers from across the world to develop business connections.

This year, Tennessee will expand its presence with the Tennessee Booth and Tennessee Reception during BIO's signature conference. If you'll be there, stop by the Tennessee Booth (Booth No. 3117) to connect with the biotech and economic development representatives from across the Volunteer State. If you would like to be involved in Tennessee's presence at BIO, please email Hannah Taylor.

The Department of Justice attorneys wrote in amicus briefs filed in February and March that states should not have the authority to enforce 340B.

Read this Teknovation profile of New Horizon Precision, an agricultural drone startup that recently took home first place at Vol Court, hosted by the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ACEI). 

The U.S. Department of Labor has officially approved National Biomanufacturing Technician Standards.

New tariffs on pharmaceuticals outlined in an April 2 presidential proclamation will reduce patient access to innovative drugs and weaken American competitiveness while raising costs, BIO warns.