We are the catalyst for the region’s life sciences.
As the professional trade association and hub for the life sciences in the greater Rhode Island area, we advance the industry and professionals through education, collaboration and advocacy. We share information and resources, provide access to capital, and create industry connections. The result is:
- advanced innovations that change the world and improve lives,
- increased visibility and influence for the sector, and
- increased business opportunities and economic impact.
In short, we help science advance, so science can advance lives.
Number of biotechnology workers in RI who are healing, fueling and feeding the world
Number of biotechnology companies & organizations in Rhode Island
Average annual salary of a biotechnology employee
%
Rhode Island’s health and life sciences industry concentration is 31% higher than the national average
Number of institutions in RI collaborating on neuroscience research (Brown, URI, Lifespan, Care NE, and Providence VA)
Mission
To grow the life sciences economy in Rhode Island and Southeastern New England.
Vision
An equitable world where the life sciences are accessible to all, where science and innovation can flourish, and where people and companies feel empowered to improve our health, protect our climate, and nourish humanity.
History & Highlights
2023
- Annual strategic planning session held by RI Bio Board
- Leadership Skills for Creating a Successful Post-Pandemic Future and Essentials and Advanced Project Management training provided to incumbent workers
- Two new Life Science advisors appointed to RI Bio Life Science Advisory Council
- BIO International Convention, “Stand Up for Science,” held in Boston, June 5-8 with 20,000+ attendees
- FY24 State Budget passed by Governor in June, investing $45M in RI’s Life Sciences sector
- First-ever two-week intensive Biotech Boot Camp offered by RI Bio with training partners, URI PDI, SkillsRI, & RI DLT
- RI Bio joined panel discussion, “Lessons from Other States: How to Grow a Life Sciences Ecosystem and Stay Competitive” at BioME’s September Annual Conference
- Venture Café hosted Life Sciences Innovation Showcase & Fireside Chat with RI Bio and new RILSH Board Chair, Neil Steinberg
2022
- Provided second round of Introduction to Biotechnology/Developing Lab Skills Training to continue to increase life science career opportunities for all Rhode Islanders
- Continued Leadership Development & Project Management Training for incumbent workers
- Appointed two additional life sciences leaders to RI Bio Board
- Partnered with the Venture Café to launch Next Wave Innovation Series
- Attended BIO International Convention in San Diego, June 13-16
- Biomarker bill signed by Governor
- Second STEMKAMP STEM education camp offered in Middletown
- State Health Lab Groundbreaking
- Brown & Wexford Science & Technology Announce New Wet Lab Space in Providence
- Partnered with the Venture Café to offer second round of Next Wave Innovation Series
2021
- Received Second Round of CARES Act Funding from RI DLT for COVID-19 Training & Support
- Launched Women in Science Speaker Series
- Created RI Bio Life Sciences Institute to Provide Ongoing Training, Events and Resources for RI Life Sciences Companies
- Developed RI Bio Government Affairs Committee
- Launched RI Bio Foundation
- Championed STEMKAMP hands-on summer STEM camp for kids
- Updated branding and design
2020
- Received CARES Act Funding from RI Department of Labor & Training (DLT) for COVID-19 Training for RI Life Sciences Companies
- Secured Three Years of Funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to expand Entrepreneurial Resources and Support for RI Life Sciences Industry
- Launched RI Innovator Series with RI-INBRE & DRIVEN to Showcase RI Innovation & Start Ups
- Held First Legislative Summit with BIO & Members of RI Legislature
2019
- MedMates Rebrands as RI Bio, Brings New Resources, Partnerships and Research to Rhode Island
- RI Bio Launches Life Sciences Leadership Development Training with RI Department of Labor & Training (DLT)
- RI Bio develops Partnership with RI-INBRE & DRIVEN
- RI Bio Launches Entrepreneur in Residence Program with RI Commerce
2018
- Held second Life Sciences EXPO with over 350 attending, and launched new MedMates brand!
- Held open house, with 100 in attendance, at our new co-working office in the Innovation District
- Awarded Real Jobs RI grant to provide Leadership Development Training to RI Life Sciences organizations
2017
- Held first Life Sciences EXPO with over 300 attending
- Collaborated with SEG on their Health & Wellness Accelerator Program
- Launched our partnership with the New England Medical Innovation Center (NEMIC)
2014-2016
- Workshop Series Launched to Support RI Health-Tech Start Ups
- Health & Wellness Business Accelerator Program
- Started in Partnership with the Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG)
- RI BioHub was formed
2013
- Launch of MedMates
Incentives
Rhode Island has an array of tools and growth incentives to help companies expand, locate and innovate in RI. Rhode Island offers incentives, credits, and grants that can help your business in a host of ways. To make sure companies understand and take advantage of these incentives, CommerceRI staff works one-on-one with you to design the right tax approach.
BIO Best Practices Fuel Innovation
RI Bio is a member of BIO (Biotechnology Innovation Organization), the world’s largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the U.S. and in more than 30 other nations.
That gives us access to the newly released 7th edition of BIO’s report on the best practices in state bioscience economic development measures. Developed in partnership with the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA), U.S. Biosciences Industry in the State: Best Practices in Innovation, Partnerships, and Job Creation, analyzes the latest legislative and regulatory economic development initiatives at the state and regional level that help support the bioscience sector. It shows that despite the pandemic and resulting economic slowdown, the U.S. Biosciences industry stands out as a steady generator of growth and high-wage jobs.
The report reviews public policy initiatives in all 50 states and spotlights noteworthy programs that enhance the future of the bioscience industry. In addition to several specific state policy examples, the report identified four national trends that helped retain and grow the bioscience sector at the state level in 2023:
- Building career pathways for future biosciences talent is crucial.
- States and regions are addressing their regulatory climate to ensure predictable and stable regulatory treatment of biosciences firms.
- Utilization of innovative technology-based economic development tax support strategies is on the rise.
- Universities and research centers continue to be strong partners in pre-commercialization research and technology transfer.
Life Sciences Ecosystem
Our goal is to transform RI’s Life Sciences industry cluster into an innovation ecosystem where all members of the cluster work well individually and together.
Why Life Sciences?
It’s fascinating, life-enhancing work that can shape the future. Life Sciences can be defined as the branch of science studying living organisms and life processes. They harness cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies, therapeutics, and products that transform lives and improve the health of our planet. Crucial to human life, it is often said that life science workers are treating, protecting and nourishing the world.
- It’s an exciting, rapidly growing field with constant breakthroughs.
- It offers future-proof, family-sustaining jobs.
- It encompasses a wide range of study in marine, agriculture, climate and medical arenas, with jobs in areas as diverse as sustainable aquaculture, agricultural cross-pollination, vaccine development, gene therapies and more.
- You can make a real difference: combat debilitating and rare diseases; reduce our environmental footprint; feed the hungry; use less and cleaner energy; and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes.
- It’s not just science – skilled workers are needed for product strategy, manufacturing, policymaking, software engineering, sales & tech support, finance, business management, project management, patient care and more.
Why Rhode Island?
Rhode Island’s ideal location in the Northeast boasts all the benefits of major commercial centers, including easy access to top companies, all manner of transportation, and world-class universities. The region’s robust, innovative tech infrastructure features the best broadband service in America. Our companies draw top talent at all levels from across Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. 4.7 million talented workers live within a one-hour commute of Providence, Rhode Island’s largest city. Each year, 100,000+ students graduate from the diverse ecosystem of universities within an hour from Providence. In addition, Rhode Island is building the best tech pipeline in the country with innovative programs in all K-12 schools. And, Rhode Island will be the first state to achieve the goal of including computer science curriculum in all schools.
Key Enablers of Bioscience Innovation
Five key enablers drive innovation capacity for the entire RI Life Sciences Innovation Ecosystem and will help us achieve our vision.