Hundreds from around the U.S. gathered in Madison Wednesday for the Bioscience Vision Summit. Opening remarks by Bryan Renk, executive director of Bioforward, touted Wisconsin’s strong life science industries. He said during the recession of 2007-2010, although the state saw a 6.5 percent drop in overall jobs, bioscience positions increased five percent in that time.
Keynote speaker Cynthia LaConte said when taking over as CEO at Dohmen, she focused on taking the company back to its roots. In 1858, Fredrick Dohmen founded an apothecary using only the finest ingredients when others were peddling snake oil.
Despite a golden age of medicine in the 20th century, LaConte said big pharmaceutical companies are marred with fines and lawsuits, “and now this industry whose purpose should’ve been firmly rooted in improving lives has come in just under big tobacco.” LaConte told the crowd it’s time for these firms to put the focus back on people.
The one-day event also featured a sold out expo, breakout sessions, and bioscience career strategies.
AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (1:21)
