Oregon's First Biotech Caucus Launches
- Nov 7, 2025
- 2 min read
Oregon’s growing life science sector reached a significant milestone on November 3 with the launch of the Oregon Biotech Caucus, chaired by State Representative Hai Pham, DMD. The new caucus brings together state and local leaders who share a commitment to advancing Oregon’s life sciences ecosystem—a fast-expanding driver of innovation, advanced manufacturing, and high-wage jobs across the state.
A Collaborative Launch Event at Aronora
The inaugural meeting, organized in partnership with Oregon Life Sciences, was hosted at Aronora, a Portland-based biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for blood clot–related disorders. Attendees toured Aronora’s facilities and heard from Erik Tucker, President and CEO, who shared the company’s journey from university-based research through incubation at the Oregon Bioscience Incubator (OTRADI/OBI) to the development of its own therapeutic pipeline.
The event also featured insights from Travis Cook, Senior Director of Technology Transfer at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), and Heather Ellis, Executive Director at Oregon Bioscience Incubator and OTRADI, who discussed Oregon’s innovation pipeline and the essential role of public–private partnerships in translating research breakthroughs into commercial products and clinical impact.
Building Momentum for Policy and Growth
The Oregon Biotech Caucus represents a significant step toward strengthening the state’s policy framework for research, biomanufacturing, and workforce development. By fostering collaboration between legislators, educators, and industry leaders, the caucus aims to accelerate the growth of Oregon’s life sciences sector and position the state as a national leader in biotech innovation.
Liisa Bozinovic, Executive Director of Oregon Life Sciences, emphasized the importance of this milestone:
“Oregon’s biotech sector is a vital engine for innovation and economic growth. The creation of the Biotech Caucus underscores the commitment of our state’s leaders to supporting science-driven entrepreneurship, workforce advancement, and policies that help our ecosystem thrive.”
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