The TBA is a state industry advocacy group designed to promote and support the welfare of the state biotechnology industry.

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The Tennessee Biotechnology Association

The Tennessee Biotechnology Association (TBA) is a statewide organization of leading scientists, researchers, academicians, clinicians, legislators and business professionals working to foster, develop and support the life sciences in Tennessee.

The TBA serves as an information-clearinghouse that supports life science education, research, health care and technology-transfer programs. The organization also works to enhance access to capital for existing biotechnology companies, as well as support business recruitment to Tennessee, or outside investment in Tennessee companies, research and technologies. Recognized by the national Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the TBA became the twenty-fifth state biotechnology trade association in 1999.

Biotech in Tennessee

The state of Tennessee has an enviable biotechnology infrastructure with an advantageous business environment for life sciences, coupled with an exceptional quality of life.

Following are some examples of biotechnology activities and resources across the state:

MEMPHIS: Memphis is home to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and several medical research centers, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Home to shipping powerhouse FedEx, Memphis offers a prime distribution advantage for biotech businesses, along with being a world-class health care and information technology center. The Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce and Memphis BioWorks Foundation are fostering an environment favorable to the biotechnology industry, and several biopharmaceutical and device companies are currently headquartered here.

NASHVILLE: Nashville, widely recognized as the healthcare services industry capital, is well-known for nurturing entrepreneurial, innovative healthcare companies. Biotechnology represents a strong growth segment in Nashville with support from renowned academic and research institutions, such as Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, strong infrastructure support, a planned life sciences center for growing companies and access to capital.

CHATTANOOGA: Chattanooga area is proud to announce a new Pharmacy Technology Program at Chattanooga State Technical Community College. Other area life science assets include the Chattanooga Health & Performance Institute at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, the Allied Health Program at Chattanooga State Community College, and the R&D facility at the Chattanooga Neurological Center at Erlanger Medical Center.

KNOXVILLE/OAK RIDGE: The Knoxville/Oak Ridge communities represent established and substantial research centers. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by UT-Battelle, LLC for the Department of Energy, along with the UT Medical Center and the U.T. Environmental Biotechnology Center are encouraging biotechnology development and commercialization.

TRI-CITIES OF UPPER EAST TENNESSEE: The Tri-Cities area of Upper East Tennessee represented by Johnson City, Bristol and Kingsport, has impressive and established biopharmaceutical and chemical research-based industries. Eastman Chemical Co., King Pharmaceuticals and East Tennessee State University's College of Medicine are valuable contributors to the state's biotechnology focus.