The House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade convened on March 26, 2025, to discuss the critical state of Oregon's bioscience industry and the need for increased investment to maintain its competitive edge. Key speakers highlighted the significant growth seen in other states, such as South Carolina and Delaware, which have made substantial investments in biosciences, resulting in double-digit growth rates.

The discussions emphasized the unique challenges faced by bioscience startups, including lengthy timelines, high costs, and complex regulatory processes that can delay product commercialization for years. The need for support organizations, such as the Oregon Bioscience Incubator (OBI) and centers of innovation excellence, was underscored as essential for helping these startups navigate obstacles and secure necessary funding.

Heather Ellis, executive director of OBI, presented data showing that Oregon's private bioscience employment has surged by 127.1% from 2002 to 2023, adding nearly 8,000 jobs. She noted that over 20,000 Oregonians are now employed in the private bioscience sector, with more than 7,000 in life science research. Ellis advocated for House Bill 2417 and its Dash 1 amendment, which aim to bolster funding for innovation centers and support university spinouts, ensuring that Oregon remains a hub for bioscience innovation.

The committee's discussions highlighted the urgency of investing in Oregon's bioscience ecosystem to prevent startups from relocating to states with more robust funding environments. The meeting concluded with a call to action for legislative support to strengthen Oregon's position in the national bioscience landscape.