Oklahoma City is seeing success in bio-industries

Oklahoma City has put in the work to become a heralded hub for bioscience and biotechnology. Growing into a nearly $7 billion industry, OKC’s bio-sectors have established the city as a nationally recognized emerging hub that provides up to 50,000 jobs and counting.

Shortly, many of the city’s industry leaders will attend the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) International Convention in San Diego under the banner of OKBio, to help expand exposure of OKC’s unique positioning. Leaders from Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma, i2E and more combined with some the city’s bio-company leaders will help highlight existing companies, technologies, future potential and partnerships in OKC to one of the largest bio-specific tradeshows in the world.

With a host of recent startup- and entrepreneurship-specific accolades, OKC is home to several bioscience and technology startups, as well as more established entities like Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and medical schools, and Cytovance Biologics.

The Metropolitan Area Projects Initiative, or MAPS, fourth phase includes a grant of $10 million to help establish an innovation hall within the city’s upcoming Innovation District. The hall will serve as a center for innovative economy activities that help continue the district and industries’ growth.

It’s easy to see why Oklahoma City has been listed as one of five emerging life science development hubs. The entrepreneurial spirit of private companies combined with the support of a determined city and public institutions makes the perfect environment for these industries to thrive.