The world of biotechnology convenes in San Francisco starting today. What is sometimes lost in these major conventions coming to town is the difference between the biotech industry and so many others. Biotechnology is an industry filled with hope and altruism. The people who go to work in biotech every day are among the most passionate, committed professionals any of us will ever encounter.

Of course, we’re fortunate to have this industry in great numbers in California. This critical mass was an important factor in our launch of CalBio last week.

At the same time, it isn’t just the critical mass or the altruism of the industry that brought us together. It was a compelling interest in translating science into better health, environment, and energy.

This is why the first activity of CalBio is to come together with IDEO over their Zika Challenge. Zika is projected to infect as many as four million people by the end of this year.

We want to get to work right away on solutions. Interested? If you’re in the Bay Area, join us Tuesday at noon in San Francisco for this OpenIDEO Design Think.

For more information and to RSVP, please click here.

There is no shortage of unmet medical needs, or the myriad ways biotechnology can lead to solutions. We need more solutions. Let’s get to work.