Aaron Miscenich
President, New Orleans BioInnovation Center
The New Orleans BioInnovation Center is a nonprofit incubator dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting Louisiana innovators as they develop lifesaving new technologies by providing lab and office facilities, free business-consulting assistance, educational events and a low-cost capital program. Tenants and clients of the center include over 150 startups developing new medical devices, therapeutics, diagnostics, digital health platforms and clean technologies. The center works with independent innovators and researchers from institutions including Tulane University, LSU Health, Xavier University and the University of New Orleans.
What are you most excited about in the coming year? Charity Hospital continues to show progress and promises to be a cornerstone in the development of a life-science economy in the region. The Spirit of Charity district can help the universities, medical institutions, business community and city government focus on a coordinated effort that enhances our capabilities in research, destination healthcare and entrepreneurship.
What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today? In terms of the commercialization of research, growth and retention continue to pose great challenges to the development of a biotechnology economy. New Orleans — and Louisiana as a whole — face strong competition from other markets (Boston, San Francisco, Research Triangle Park) and we have to do more to provide the resources necessary to give our startups business reasons to stay and grow in our city.
