On Apr. 15, 1999, the Tennessee Biotechnology Association (TBA), now the Life Science Tennessee, was established.

The Tennessee Technology Development Corp., formed in 1998 by the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development, committed up to $50,000 in matching funds to assist the TBA. The association will function in support of Tennessee companies, academic institutes and centers of excellence conducting research and development in biotechnology products, pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

Today, Life Science Tennessee is a statewide, non-profit, member organization of more than 100 companies whose mission is to advance and grow the life science industry in Tennessee through advocacy, partnerships and alignment with economic and workforce development.