On Jun. 13, 2024, the Oklahoma BioScience Association (OKBio), a 501(c)(3) corporation was rebranded Life Science Oklahoma.

Life Science Oklahoma will be an important advocate for the state’s dynamic and diverse life sciences and healthcare communities. As such, it is committed to bringing national and international awareness to key areas of the state’s biotech, drug manufacturing, agricultural science, veterinary medicine and healthcare industries, including therapeutics, diagnostics and biomanufacturing; medical and health technologies; and health and clinical care.

Additionally, Oklahoma’s emerging life science and healthcare ecosystem stands out for its blend of innovation, collaboration, and economic and financial advantages. The state’s core strengths include:

• Research and Innovation: Oklahoma hosts several research institutions, including the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma State University, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and the Noble Research Institute. These centers drive cutting-edge research in genomics, drug discovery and agriculture research.
• Public-Private Partnerships: The state actively fosters collaboration between academia, industry and government. Organizations such as the Oklahoma Life Science Fund and i2E (Innovation to Enterprise) provide critical support to startups and early stage companies.
• Established infrastructure: Oklahoma’s vibrant Innovation District, spanning about 1.3 square miles east of downtown, houses internationally acclaimed research and technology companies, including Wheeler Bio and Cytovance Biologics, both within the bio manufacturing space and both, which are widely recognized contract development and manufacturing organizations serving biotech and pharmaceutical companies.
• Federal investment: The Oklahoma Biotech Innovation Cluster Initiative was awarded $35 million through the Build Back Better Regional Challenge of the U.S. Economic Development Administration. This grant will fund six core investment projects in the region to further the health science cluster.