15 EIC-backed biotech companies to exhibit at BIO International Convention 2024 in San Diego

Brussels, April 16th 2024
Summary
  • Fifteen European companies supported by the European Innovation Council will attend the BIO International Convention in San Diego from 3 to 6 June 2024.
  • Participants come from 7 countries and work across biotech and biomanufacturing, receiving tailored coaching, logistics support and promotional activities through the EIC ITF 3.0 programme.
  • A pre-departure workshop on 16 April 2024 provided market briefings, cultural training and peer networking, but trade fair outcomes depend on follow-up and tackling regulatory and commercial barriers in the US market.
  • The ITF 3.0 programme builds on previous EIC overseas trade fair efforts and includes matchmaking, IP and cultural coaching, and post-event follow up, with selection through open calls and external reviewers.

EIC sends 15 biotech and biomanufacturing companies to BIO 2024 as part of its international trade fairs programme

A cohort of 15 European companies that received support from the European Innovation Council will showcase their biotechnology and biomanufacturing innovations at the BIO International Convention in San Diego from 3 to 6 June 2024. The event is one of the largest global gatherings for the biopharmaceutical industry. The selected firms are taking part under the EIC International Trade Fairs and USA Soft-landing Programme, commonly referred to as ITF 3.0.

What the BIO International Convention offers and why it matters

BIO International Convention typically attracts more than 20,000 attendees from over 70 countries. It is a commercial and scientific marketplace where large pharmaceutical companies, contract development and manufacturing organisations, investors and service providers convene to discuss market trends and form partnerships. For European SMEs and startups, a visible presence at BIO can open lead generation, licensing and collaboration possibilities but converting contacts into deals often requires substantial post-event work.

Who the participants are

CompanyCountry
ABILITY PHARMACEUTICALS SLSpain
ACOUSORT ABSweden
BEATS THERAPEUTICS LtdIreland
GENOMTEC S.A.Poland
IRIS AI ASNorway
KVANTIFY APSDenmark
MCULE.COM KFTHungary
MTM SrlItaly
PEPTOMYC SLSpain
REACT4LIFE S.R.L.Italy
SDS OPTIC S.A.Poland
STAB VIDA INVESTIGACAO E SERVICOS EM CIENCIAS BIOLOGICAS LDAPortugal
VAULTREE LIMITEDIreland
VERIGRAFT ABSweden
VITALERASpain

The EIC ITF 3.0 programme and what support it provides

EIC International Trade Fairs & USA Soft-landing Programme 3.0:The ITF 3.0 programme is the current iteration of the EIC International Trade Fairs effort, running from 2024 to 2026. It aims to help EIC awardees commercialise and internationalise by supporting participation in targeted trade fairs across the EU, the Middle East and North America. The service package is intended for startups, scaleups and SMEs that are EIC beneficiaries and have been selected through open calls.
Services included in ITF 3.0:Participating companies can receive end-to-end support such as preparatory market briefings, onboarding calls, cultural and intellectual property coaching, B2B matchmaking, on-site logistics and additional customised services during the trade fair. Communications support to increase visibility is part of the package. The programme builds on lessons from the earlier Overseas Trade Fairs Programme 2.0.
USA Soft-landing explained:Soft-landing refers to a set of market entry support measures designed to reduce the friction of expanding into the United States. Typical elements include onboarding and market training, introductions to local advisors and investors, help with regulatory navigation and tailored matchmaking. Soft-landing is not a guarantee of contracts or funding and often needs local partners to scale an offering effectively.

Pre-departure workshop and participant preparation

The companies selected for BIO 2024 attended an onboarding and pre-departure briefing on 16 April 2024. The workshop allowed the cohort to meet one another, exchange practical tips with alumni from prior ITF rounds and receive guidance on event logistics. Sessions covered market insights and aspects of US corporate culture. These types of briefings aim to improve participants' readiness but their impact depends on follow-up activities after the trade fair.

Why tailored preparation matters:Trade fairs demand a clear pitch, regulatory awareness, and follow-up processes. For biotech companies, readiness includes having appropriate clinical or preclinical data packages, IP protections, regulatory strategy for the United States and a plan for commercial discussions or partnering. Basic presence is rarely sufficient to secure long term commercial engagements.

Technical and sector context

Biotechnology and biomanufacturing in short:Biotechnology covers platforms such as biologics, gene therapies, peptide therapeutics and diagnostics. Biomanufacturing refers to the processes and facilities used to produce biological drugs at scale. These areas require specialised regulatory approval pathways, complex supply chains and substantial capital for scale up. For European innovators, the US market is attractive because of its size and available capital but it is also highly regulated and competitive.

Opportunities and practical caveats for participants

The EIC-sponsored presence at BIO gives visibility, credibility and access to networks that individual SMEs might struggle to reach alone. The organised pavilion and matches can accelerate introductions to US partners and investors. However, the conversion of leads into partnerships or sales is uneven. Success requires defined post-show engagement plans, local regulatory and reimbursement strategies and, in many cases, further capital to fund US entry.

Regulatory and commercial hurdles to expect in the US market:Entering the US biotech market often requires navigating the Food and Drug Administration approval pathways, building relationships with contract manufacturing organisations for Good Manufacturing Practice production, establishing reimbursement and payer strategies and safeguarding intellectual property. These tasks demand time and investment that trade fair participation alone does not resolve.

Selection, next steps and contact information

The cohort was chosen after an open call process. For ITF 3.0, SMEs, startups and scaleups that are EIC beneficiaries apply via calls that open about six months before each trade fair. External experts review and rank applications. The EIC Community platform publishes details on upcoming calls and related events.

Questions about the programme or this delegation can be directed to the EIC Community Helpdesk. When contacting the helpdesk use the category 'EVENT - EIC ITF Programme - BIO 2024' for faster routing.

Broader programme context and accountability

ITF 3.0 is run by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency which manages EIC business acceleration services. The programme aims to supplement EIC funding streams that support innovation across Technology Readiness Levels. Public agencies that organise trade fair participation should monitor measurable outcomes beyond attendance such as signed partnership agreements, fundraising achieved and technology licensing. Transparent reporting helps assess whether public support delivers sustained commercial impact.

The original EIC communication adds a standard disclaimer that the information is provided for knowledge sharing and is not the official view of the European Commission or other organisations. That remains an important reminder that promotional summaries are not the same as audited impact statements.