SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Herbert told a packed ballroom of 3,000 national and international medical technology executives and stakeholders about Utah’s exceptional life sciences industry on Friday, raising the profile of the state as the place to be for innovation, growth and better healthcare.
At the 2018 MedTech Conference, the Governor emphasized that the industry supports one in 15 jobs in Utah, with above market wages. He also stressed the difference that the industry makes in people’s lives.
Following his remarks, the Governor visited the Utah Life Sciences exhibit booth, where he met with representatives from Utah companies, including those from BD, Edwards Lifesciences, Johnson & Johnson, Merit Medical, Protecs and Stryker.
“Utah’s life sciences industry is vibrant and diverse,” said Gov. Herbert. “The life sciences sector in the state is one of the fastest-growing in the country, due in part to our culture of innovation and collaboration. This fertile ground allows entrepreneurs to successfully take a concept to commercialization and investors are noticing.”
For the first time, BioUtah, in partnership with the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah), the University of Utah’s Center for Technology and Commercialization (TVC), Utah Science, Technology and Research (USTAR), and Protecs, sponsored a Utah life sciences exhibit booth at the conference. The booth reinforced the governor’s message and gave the industry a platform to further highlight the new Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute study of the industry’s economic impact on the state.
“Having a united Utah presence at this conference was key,” said Keith Marmer, associate vice president, executive director at TVC, who attended the event. “Together, we created a focused venue to build awareness about our industry and network with life sciences leaders from outside the state.”
“We were excited to have the governor there, supporting the Utah contingent,” said Kimberly Davis, Director of State Government Affairs for Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson, along with BD and Stryker, had company exhibits at the conference. The governor stopped by each of their booths to talk with employees and learn more about the work they do to improve and save lives.
By all accounts, the MedTech conference was a plus for Utah’s life sciences community. In fact, after the Governor’s speech, several medical technology companies came by the booth to say that Utah would now be on their radar when looking to manufacture or expand operations.
“It was a privilege having the governor at the conference,” said Scott Whitaker, president and CEO of AdvaMed.
SOURCE: BioUtah
Copyright Business Wire 2018.