Washington, D.C., USA
January 4, 2016

To better reflect the remarkable progress and groundbreaking innovations its members achieve in healing, fueling and feeding the world, BIO – the world's largest biotechnology trade association – is changing its name to Biotechnology Innovation Organization. The organization will continue to use the shortened, “BIO” name.

In the more than 22 years since its founding, BIO – formerly Biotechnology Industry Organization – has united scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers and the public to advance breakthrough cures and products in fields ranging from health, food and agricultural to industrial and environmental.

“This name change does not alter our mission or the value we deliver. We are better describing what our members do, who they are and how they think,” BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood, said. “Our members are some of the most innovative people on the planet. Biotech companies and research institutions are filled with scientists and entrepreneurs who ‘see’ a different future. And then they innovate to change the course of history.”

BIO represents biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the U.S. and in more than 30 other countries. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

“Everything we do is focused on improving the world we live in,” Greenwood said. “Our name and identity need to reflect the accelerating sense of improvement and discovery our members are helping to lead.”

He noted that biotechnology develops technologies and products that help improve lives and the health of the planet, including:

• More than 250 biotechnology healthcare products and vaccines are available to patients, many for previously untreatable diseases.
• More than 18 million farmers around the world use agricultural biotechnology to increase yields, prevent damage from insects and pests and reduce farming's environmental impact.
• More than 50 biorefineries are being built across North America to test and refine technologies to produce biofuels and chemicals from renewable biomass, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“The public is more hopeful than ever that we can innovate new products that will change the course of their lives and change the course of history,” Greenwood said. “BIO’s diverse members – from cutting-edge research institutes, to promising startups to global companies in a wide array of biotechnology and related fields – will continue to drive health, life expectancy and the quality of life to never-before-seen levels. Our members solve the unsolvable.”