The 2025 BIO International Convention brought together over 20,000 life sciences leaders from across the globe. BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI), led by Founder, President, and CEO Rich Bendis, was proud to represent both the organization and the broader BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR) during this year’s gathering in Boston.
As one of the most wide-ranging events in the biotech industry, BIO 2025 served as a platform to showcase the BioHealth Capital Region’s unique strengths. The region, encompassing Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, presented a united front of innovation and economic vitality. Maryland and Virginia each hosted pavilions that attracted strong traffic and engagement, while the District’s leadership was prominently involved in cross-jurisdiction conversations.
“There was a great deal of interaction between the members of the BHCR during the Convention and it culminated with the First Annual BHCR Breakfast on Wednesday the 18th,” said Bendis. “Virginia also had their own breakfast on Tuesday the 17th and Maryland had a well-attended evening reception that same day. These events made it clear just how committed the region is to growing together.”
The BioHealth Capital Region BIO Breakfast, hosted at Maryland Tech Council Member, Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The breakfast brought together stakeholders from all three jurisdictions, reaffirming a shared commitment to growing the region’s life sciences economy. The breakfast was headlined by a panel discussion including Harry Coker, Jr, Secretary, Maryland Department of Commerce; Derek Ford, President & CEO, Washington DC Economic Partnership; Rachel Rath, Head of JLABs @ Washington D.C., and Joe Benevento, CEO, Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation. BHI’s Rich Bendis served as the moderator for this panel.
Throughout the convention, BHI actively worked the floor, meeting with companies, institutions, and delegations to share how BHI supports commercialization through customized EIR support, non-dilutive funding strategy, international soft-landing guidance, and market analysis. Their presence illustrated the depth and flexibility of BHI’s services.
Rich Bendis reconnected with numerous partners, including Paul Vulto of MIMETAS from the Netherlands, BHI’s first international soft-landing company, and representatives from TASK in South Africa, a Maryland Global Gateway Company, which is expanding into Bethesda Maryland with BHI’s support, in August 2025.
BHI Board Member and Head of JLABS @ Washington, D.C. Rachel Rath recapped her experience via LinkedIn, stating: “Participating in a regional breakfast with Harry Coker, Jr., Derek Ford, and Joe Benevento, moderated by Rich Bendis, allowed us to discuss the importance of regional collaboration, available resources, and what is needed to increase the capacity of the region to support innovation and increase the stickiness to retain innovators and early-stage companies as they progress toward commercialization.” Rath added that “embedding JLABS DC in both the Virginia and Maryland pavilions gave Scott Shepherd and me the chance to meet with early-stage companies and regional strategic partners.” She concluded by saying, “Now it's time to continue the conversations that started in Boston and turn conversations into action.”
BioHealth Capital Region BIO Breakfast Panel
Industry sentiment at BIO 2025 reflected a mix of cautious optimism and concern. Bendis noted the growing uncertainty caused by proposed changes in federal healthcare policy. “While there was an overall positive vibe amongst the BHCR participants, the overall question everyone was dealing with was: What will be the short- and long-term impact of the current Administration’s proposed budget and reorganization of the NIH and all things healthcare related?” he said. “Many universities, companies, local and state governments, and NGOs have already lost funding and find it difficult to plan for the future.”
Alex Philippidis, Senior Business Editor at Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, echoed these concerns in his post-conference reflections, noting that despite some headline deals, larger buyers remain cautious, citing Washington and Wall Street uncertainty. “The Washington questions revolve around tariffs, Most Favored Nation pricing, interest rates, FDA stability... while on Wall Street, it’s about whether the market can lift biopharma stocks and biotech IPOs can show consistent success,” Philippidis shared with Bendis. He also pointed to funding pressures on academic institutions and early signs of retrenchment, such as NIH grant reductions and enrollment declines at major universities. Citing hesitancy from large buyers due to policy and market uncertainty. He also noted the impact of reduced NIH funding on top bioclusters across the country.
Tien Wong, CEO and Private Investor, commented in his LinkedIn Recap that “investors are cautiously optimistic. While the 'biotech winter' hasn’t ended, there’s a noticeable shift in sentiment. He added that companies demonstrating clear differentiation and capital efficiency are gaining traction. Wong also pointed to “policy tailwinds” such as renewed R&D tax credits and FDA priority review programs that are helping sustain early-stage interest.
While noting the challenges of a shifting market landscape, Bendis remains optimistic. “The key words for all are to be patient and persistence,” he said. “Turbulent times create unforeseen opportunities and now might be the time to double down on those opportunities.”
BIO 2025 also set the stage for what comes next. “BIO 2025 helped set the stage for our 11th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum and Investment Conference at USP, September 23rd to 25th, and registration is now open,” Bendis said. He added that all of the regional BHCR sponsors who supported the inaugural BIO Breakfast have committed to holding another breakfast in San Diego in 2026.
For more information about BHI’s programs and services, contact Rich Bendis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..