The BioTexas Cafe will host THBI's signature educational events. These discussions bring together THBI members, policy leaders, legislative staff and key agencies for insightful conversations. BioTexas Cafe will invite expert speakers to cover a wide array of topics from the current global health pandemic to latest developments and policy issues impacting the life sciences in Texas.
During this the time of limited travel and social interaction, all BioTexas Cafe events will be presented as online webinars and conference calls. In the future, we expect to hold these events online and in-person throughout the state.
To learn more about sponsoring or participating in the BioTexas Cafe, contact julia@thbi.com.
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PAST BIOTEXAS CAFE EVENTS
The Latest on COVID-19, A Town Hall Discussion
Sponsored by Amgen
This BioTexas Cafe featured speakers providing an update on the impact of COVID-19 and the latest efforts from the state and lifescience industry. Guest speakers included Texas State Representative Oscar Longoria (HD 35), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, on the impact of COVID-19 on the Texas economy and state budget; Amy Walker, Director of Infectious Diseases Policy for Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) for an update on the biopharmaceutical industry and their member's efforts on COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutic development; and Elliott M. Levy, M.D., Senior Vice President of Research & Development Strategy & Operations at Amgen on the company's COVID-19 research and development progress.
THBI President's Call with Special Guest Wayne Roberts
Tom Kowalski, THBI's President and CEO, speaks with Wayne Roberts, CEO of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The discussion is focused on the impact of CPRIT, and how COVID-19 has effected CPRIT and the upcoming granting process. Mr. Roberts also gives his forecast for the upcoming legislative session, with insight on the state budget.
THBI President's Call with Special Guests Tony Mitchell and Scott Newkirk
Meredith Armstrong, THBI's Policy Director, speaks with guests Tony Mitchell from CSL Behring and Scott Newkirk from CSL Plasma. The discussion focuses on the work CSL Behring is doing during COVID-19 and the importance of plasma donation.
THBI President's Call with Special Guest Emma Schwartz
Tom Kowalski, THBI's President and CEO, speaks with Emma Schwartz, President of the Medical Center of the Americas (MCA) Foundation. The discussion is focused on BIO El Paso-Juarez’s COVID-19 response, including ramping up critical PPE, as well as medical supply and device production on US-Mexico Border.
COVID-19 and the Important Role of Manufacturing
This discussion, lead by THBI and the Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM), focused on the strength of the manufacturing industry during the pandemic and provide an overview of the important work Texas companies are doing to combat COVID-19.
Featured speakers:
- Tom Kowalski, President and CEO of THBI
- Tony Bennett, President and CEO of TAM
- Clement Lewin, Associate Vice President Head BARDA Office and NV Stakeholder Engagement at Sanofi
- Jeffrey Wade, Executive Vice President, Corporate and Administrative Affairs and CFO at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals
COVID-19 and the Importance of Policy on Public Health
This presentation was focused on the importance of public policy in fighting public health crises. Dr. Rodney Rohde, Professor and Chair for the Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) Program in the College of Health Professions at Texas State University and Tom Kowalski, CEO of THBI discuss best practices policy leaders can learn from COVID-19 and how to be better prepared for the next virus.
THBI COVID-19 Webinar with Texas Biomedical Research Institute
Hear the latest COVID-19 research and development efforts being conducted at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute campus in San Antonio. Dr. Larry Schlesinger, CEO and Dr. Joanne Turner, Vice President for Research will discuss the Institute’s unique role in the bioscience landscape and how its team of researchers are tackling the newest threat – COVID-19 – followed by a Q&A!