Business Development and Support Division

HONOLULU—For the seventh consecutive year, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) is promoting Hawaii’s leading life science companies and research organizations at the annual BIO International Convention, the largest global event for the life sciences industry. This year’s event will be held on June 4 – 7, at the Convention Center in Boston. 

Prior to the start of the convention, DBEDT has been encouraging Hawaii life science companies to connect with BIO participants for one-on-one partnering discussions on potential joint research, licensing and investment opportunities. The consistent presence of the Hawaii Life Sciences pavilion at BIO International will encourage other BIO International participants to visit and engage in discussions with attending Hawaii companies.

Biotechnology Innovation Organization (www.bio.org/) organizes the convention, which represents more than 16,000 people from 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 70 other nations.

“BIO International presents an enormous opportunity for Hawaii’s life science companies to sell to the world,” said DBEDT Director Luis P. Salaveria. “As with other industries, where we promote exports of products unique to Hawaii, our life science companies and research organizations in Hawaii are developing innovative solutions for the global market. From vaccines for the Zika and West Nile viruses, to microtags for product authentication, Hawaii companies continue to create tremendous value, while also contributing to the growth of local economy.”

A sampling of Hawaii companies to be showcased in the Hawaii pavilion at this year’s convention include:

• Hawaii Biotech, Inc. – Vaccine candidates in clinical or pre-clinical development targeting: Zika virus, West Nile virus, Tick bore flaviviruses, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Chikungunya virus, and Ebola virus.
• CyThera Pharmaceuticals – Drug development by repositioning FDA-approved compounds for new therapeutic indications in Autoimmune Disease and Cancer.
• HinaLea – A Division of TruTag Technologies – TruTag Technologies Inc. is a leading technology company in the hyperspectral imaging space. TruTag developed the world’s first high-resolution, handheld autonomous hyperspectral camera, which was awarded the SPIE Best Camera and Imager Prism Award in 2017.
• Scorpio-V – A Division of HNu-Photonics – Automated microfluidics and imaging platforms for cell biology, tissue and physical science microscopy investigations onboard the International Space Station.

Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant, and HTDC, the Hawaii Pavilion at BIO International is part of a series of initiatives DBEDT has undertaken to increase the export of Hawaii’s products.

Other organizations supporting the Hawaii Pavilion include the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) and the University of Hawaii Office of Innovation and Commercialization.

HTDC Executive Director and CEO Robbie Melton noted, “The BIO Convention plays an important role in making U.S. and foreign technology companies aware of Hawaii as a place to consider for research and development operations. To this end, it’s important they know about the many successful ventures realized in Hawaii’s flourishing biotech industry.”

More information on the life sciences industry in Hawaii may be found at: m.hi.gov/hawaiilifesciences.

Media Contact

Christine Hirasa
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism 
Phone: (808) 587-9006
Mobile: (808) 286-9017
Email: Christine.M.Hirasa@hawaii.gov
Website: dbedt.hawaii.gov