Innovation, Livability, Possibility: NHLS Showcases New Hampshire’s Strengths at BIO 2025

With a panoramic mural of the White Mountains and an emerald green couch inviting conversation, NH Life Sciences’ booth at BIO International 2025 stood as a reflection of the state itself: grounded, welcoming and full of possibility. Last week, NHLS leadership and partners spent four days showcasing why New Hampshire has earned its place at the convention to the 20,000 biotechnology leaders in attendance.  

A United Front in Promoting Life Sciences in New Hampshire  

NHLS may have been a first-time exhibitor, but its presence delivered a clear message: New Hampshire is ready to compete on the global life sciences stage, offering not only the infrastructure and incentives needed to scale from R&D to manufacturing, but a quality of life that helps companies — and their people — thrive. The booth’s natural imagery and warm design choices underscored a core advantage that in New Hampshire, innovation and livability go hand in hand. 

The booth was supported by Fisher Scientific, The University of New Hampshire, Predictive Monitor; the state’s Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA); PCI Pharma, a contract development and manufacturing organization with a new 50,000-square-foot facility in Bedford; Lehnen Lab, a custom machinery design firm with a free proof-of-concept lab for demonstrations and education; and Pirouette Pharma, creator of a new way to deliver injectable medicines.  

Additional representatives from other NHLS member companies came to share their work. Safety Partners shared how it ensures life science companies have what they need going into a new space for permits and materials handling. The company has been a longtime member of MassBio but recently joined NHLS after seeing the growth there.  John and Laurie Masiello of Predictive Monitor explained how their work secures biopharma storage spaces and detects potential issues to prevent equipment failure.  

While every conversation at BIO covered different specialties and needs, it all circled back to one question.  

“What is New Hampshire’s value proposition?” asked Cindy Conde, co-founder of NHLS.  

As life sciences in New Hampshire continue to mature and become more visible, the answer is being shared by an even wider network of members and partners.  

A Place Where Ideas Take Root and Flourish 

When life sciences companies are ready to move an idea into action, New Hampshire provides space, resources and an attractive lifestyle for workers. While the state ecosystem has everything from R&D incubators to fill-finish manufacturers, its sweet spot is helping companies scale to the production phase.  

With its low overall tax rate, business-relevant tax credits and incentives for manufacturing, New Hampshire offers a lower cost of doing business.  

 Compared to the nearby hub of Boston-Cambridge, where large open space is rare and building conversion is expensive, New Hampshire has land and facilities ideal for labs to roll out manufacturing lines. Plus, it has building and engineering firms that specialize in life sciences-related construction. 

Access to recreational, arts and cultural opportunities is an attractive quality when companies are looking to recruit workers. Community colleges, the public university system and private universities are taking note of the growth and building robust pipelines to train the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators. 

Taylor Caswell, Commissioner of the NH BEA, attended the first day of the BIO convention. He said that the state sponsored the booth in part to recognize that New Hampshire is “worthy” of being in the global biotech conversation. 

 A Platform for Connections and Conversations 

For NHLS President Andrea Hechavarria, attending BIO for the first time since the organization’s founding was both validating and energizing. 

“NHLS’s first time at BIO was a great success,” she said, “from the booth location in the heart of the BIO pavilion, receiving lots of interaction and curiosity from attendees, to witnessing the energy and passion from those in the industry.” 

She noted that the week offered more than just foot traffic — it offered perspective. 

“It was incredibly impactful to hear up close from global biotech leaders, entrepreneurs and investors on current dynamics related to funding and investment, scientific breakthroughs, and how companies are meeting the moment through collaboration and innovation,” she said.  

The convention was an opportunity for NHLS to connect with neighboring hubs, such as Massachusetts and Canada. Those conversations aren’t just about getting companies to come to New Hampshire, but about improving trade and increasing investments. It is an invitation to share ideas and best practices between industry experts.  

“We were fortunate to hear from FDA Commissioner Marty Makary on his vision for the FDA and working collaboratively with industry to provide more patient access to treatments, faster,” Hechavarria said. 

It was also a chance to connect with global companies that already have a footprint in New Hampshire, like NHLS members Lonza and MilliporeSigma. Forging these meaningful connections promotes New Hampshire as a destination for strategic expansion. 

A Launchpad for New Hampshire’s Life Sciences Era 

With its start in 2023, NHLS has been forming connections that expand and enhance the state’s life sciences sector. With its first appearance at the BIO International Convention, NHLS brings that network to a global stage.    

As the week unfolded, NHLS leaders continued making connections with international partners, national coalitions, and peer organizations. For NHLS co-founder John Whelan, it was both a personal and organizational milestone: 

 “It was my and NHLS's first time here and it was both a great experience and a big success,” said Whelan. “We met a lot of wonderful people and there was a substantial amount of interest and energy around life sciences growth in New Hampshire.” 

NHLS will build on the momentum from the convention to foster an economic era fueled by the life sciences. NHLS isn’t just watching the biotech sector evolve — it’s helping shape the future of innovation in New Hampshire.  

To learn more on how you can join the network or partner with NHLS on its initiatives, visit nhlifesciences.org.