PRESS RELEASE
Media Contact:
Keyri Ambrocio, Public Policy & Strategic Communications Specialist
Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce
(203) 390-5575
kambrocio@gnhcc.com
New Leadership Announced on Bioscience Collaborative: John Houston of Arvinas Named New Chair, Erika Smith of ReNetX Bio Named Vice Chair
New Haven, CT – June 27th, 2022 – John Houston, President & CEO of Arvinas, has been named the new chair of the Bioscience Collaborative. The Bioscience Collaborative is an industry-led group formed from the Governor’s Workforce Council that follows the NextGen Regional Sector Partnerships model. The industry-led initiative, convened by the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, brings awareness to the resources and workforce available in Connecticut for life-science companies. Erika Smith, CEO of ReNetX Bio, was also named Vice Chair.
“It is an honor to serve as the chair of the Bioscience Collaborative and to partner with an incredible group of individuals on common goals for the life-science industry in Connecticut, especially in New Haven,” said John Houston, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer at Arvinas. “Arvinas is proud to contribute to New Haven’s significant growth as a biopharmaceutical hub, as well as the development of the overall community.”
As the Bioscience Collaborative moves into its second year, industry leaders continue to focus on three components: to build a sustainable pipeline of talent, increase awareness and visibility of the region’s growing sector, and expand connections across the bioscience community.
"It is exciting to see our ecosystem come together around engaging students and expanding the critical talent pipeline to our industry and we’re thrilled that Connecticut is leading the way on this innovative and collaborative programming," said Erika Smith, CEO of ReNetX Bio.
The Collaborative launched a campaign last year as part of a concerted effort to continue to grow the bioscience sector -- “Life-Science Sprints in Connecticut.” The campaign aims to increase the visibility of the life-science industry in the region and Connecticut.
The Student Program to Ready Interns for Next-generation Talent (SPRINT) internship program, formed by the Collaborative, was set in motion on June 9th, 2022, with a networking event for summer interns registered under the program. The program represents over 170 paid opportunities in the life-science industry over the summer.
The internship program brings together 25 emerging and established companies across the industry, offering a wide variety of opportunities, across scientific, commercial, finance, and other areas. Participating companies include Adela, Alexion AstraZeneca, Ancera, Artizan Biosciences, Arvinas, Azitra, BioHaven Pharmaceuticals, BioRez, Boehringer Ingelheim, CheminPharma, Cybrexa Therapeutics, EvolveImmune Therapeutics, Halda Therapeutics, Invea Therapeutics, IsoPlexis, The Jackson Laboratory, Pfizer, Rallybio, ReNetX Bio, SpringWorks Therapeutics, Thetis Pharmaceuticals, Trevi Therapeutics, ViiV Healthcare, Wellinks and 4Catalyzer.
This business-led collaborative will continue to focus on the industry’s growth in the coming year. Support partners including BioCT, Biopath, the City of New Haven, REX Development, our universities, and many others have been critical to the overall success. The new leadership will look to build upon the engagement of local company executives and drive more initiatives for the region.
About the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce
The Greater New Haven Chamber, whose mission is to provide value through resources and services to its partner companies and to lead regional economic growth through bold and effective advocacy, serves 15 municipalities, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Wallingford, West Haven, and Woodbridge. Established in 1794, the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce is one of the three oldest institutions of its kind in the United States.
About the Bioscience Collaborative
The Bioscience Collaborative is an industry-led group formed from the Governor’s Workforce Council that follows the NextGen Regional Sector Partnerships model. This industry-led initiative, in partnership with the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, helps to bring awareness to the resources and workforce available in Connecticut for life-science companies. The Collaborative is focused on three components: to build a sustainable pipeline of talent, increase awareness and visibility of the region’s growing sector, and expand connections across the bioscience community. The Collaborative is partnering across the state to make this initiative successful including partnerships with Southern Connecticut State University’s BioPath program, CTNext, BioCT, and regional universities and colleges.
