East-West Summit Highlights Spokane's Emergence as a Thriving Life Science Hub
Renowned for its picturesque landscapes, outdoor activities, and the famous Hoopfest, the Spokane area is on the brink of establishing itself as a leader in the life science industry. With the presence of two esteemed medical schools, the emergence of new facilities, and a vibrant innovation cluster, there is an undeniable sense of excitement and innovation in the air.
At the recent East-West Summit (Life Science Washington), industry experts gathered to discuss the expansion of innovation throughout rural and underserved communities. Our own CTO Scott Thielman got to participate in the discussion on Expanding the Regional Contract Manufacturing and Research Ecosystem, shedding light on the potential of Spokane to address healthcare challenges and spearhead advancements in remote patient monitoring and telemedicine.
“Some of the region’s challenges with healthcare, including rural and underserved healthcare populations, could also serve as a test bed for innovations in remote patient monitoring and telemedicine.”
The Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster (EBIC):
At the heart of this burgeoning life science landscape is the Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster (EBIC), a grant-funded organization dedicated to transforming Washington State and the Mountain Northwest into a magnet for companies engaged in expert life science contract research, development, and manufacturing services.
EBIC's primary focus encompasses the development of medical devices and medicines. Under the guidance of CEO Katrina Rogers, the organization aims to leverage regional resources and create an environment that attracts companies providing and consuming these specialized services.
Strategic Insights from Andy Johnston:
Panelist Andy Johnston, who plays a crucial role in shaping the strategy for the Innovation Cluster, drew inspiration from successful innovation hubs like The Cove in Orange County, CA.
Johnston emphasized the importance of borrowing successful practices from such hubs, as Spokane seeks to establish its unique cluster that benefits from proven methodologies. Spokane can accelerate its growth as a life science hub by adopting strategies that have worked elsewhere.
Startup Entrepreneurship in Action:
Chandima Bandaranakya, CEO of Photon Biosciences, represented the vibrant startup community on the panel. His company focuses on developing specialized luminescent bionanoparticles markers, which hold immense potential for various diagnostic applications.
Bandaranakya acknowledged the invaluable regional resources he could access, including the Health Sciences and Services Authority (HSSA) of Spokane County, which played a crucial role in supporting his entrepreneurial endeavors.
Local Manufacturing Expertise:
Katie MacKay, a representative of local medical manufacturing, shared her insights from MacKay Manufacturing—a company renowned for providing ISO 9001 & ISO 13485:2016 certified processes and solutions in the surgical device space. Their expertise lies in manufacturing endoscopic/arthroscopic tools and orthopedic implants.
MacKay highlighted the impressive production capabilities within the Spokane Valley and emphasized the company's high demand, limited only by the availability of a skilled manufacturing workforce.
At Product Creation Studio, we have been developing surgical tools for many years so it was great to hear from Katie MacKay about the impressive production capabilities right here in the Spokane Valley.
Spokane Valley: Expanding the Regional Ecosystem
As Spokane gains momentum in the life science industry, it is poised to become a prominent player in research, development, and manufacturing. With the Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster spearheading the way, local startups like Photon Biosciences drive innovation, while established companies like MacKay Manufacturing showcase the region's manufacturing prowess.
By embracing collaboration, investing in infrastructure, and nurturing a skilled workforce, Spokane is on track to realize its vision of becoming a leading life science hub, making significant contributions to healthcare, and driving economic growth in the region.