BIO International Convention showcases Lyon’s life sciences ecosystem on the global stage
Held annually in the United States, the BIO International Convention provides Lyon with a major platform to showcase its life sciences ecosystem to international audiences. Biotech companies, pharmaceutical firms, research organizations, and innovation leaders come together to build partnerships, connect with investors, and strengthen their global visibility. The event is widely recognized as one of the most important gatherings in the international life sciences and biotechnology calendar.
BIO International Convention 2026: a global meeting point for biotechnology
An event held from June 22–25, 2026, in San Diego
From June 22 to 25, 2026, the BIO International Convention brought together the key players in healthcare innovation in San Diego. Widely regarded as the world’s largest biotechnology event, BIO welcomed nearly 20,000 participants from more than 70 countries. Over four days, scientists, industry leaders, investors, and innovative companies met to forge new collaborations and accelerate the development of next-generation healthcare solutions.
A meeting place for biotech companies, research organizations, investors, and healthcare industry leaders
With more than 5,500 companies represented and nearly 1,500 exhibitors, BIO serves as a unique hub for the entire life sciences value chain. Discussions range from therapeutic innovations and biomanufacturing to research platforms, digital health, and emerging models for funding innovation.
An international program designed to foster partnerships and accelerate innovation
Beyond its conference sessions and exhibition halls, BIO is renowned for its extensive partnering activity. Each year, the event generates tens of thousands of business meetings between companies, research organizations, investors, and public institutions, helping to create strategic partnerships on a global scale.
Lyon: a life sciences ecosystem with global visibility
A structured value chain spanning biotechnology, healthcare, and innovation
The Lyon region ranks among Europe’s leading life sciences hubs. Building on a long-standing legacy in infectious diseases, vaccines, and diagnostics, it has developed into a world-class ecosystem that combines academic research, leading hospitals, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical industries, animal health expertise, and biomanufacturing capabilities.
The region benefits in particular from Lyonbiopôle Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the healthcare competitiveness cluster that brings together companies, research labs, healthcare institutions, and research centers around collaborative innovation projects. It also relies on the Lyon-Gerland Biodistrict, one of Europe’s leading life sciences districts, home to a concentration of research organizations, biotech companies, and pharmaceutical industry players. This structure encourages collaboration between businesses, laboratories, research centers, and healthcare institutions.
This unique concentration of expertise enables companies to access all the capabilities required to develop, test, manufacture, and commercialize their innovations.
Lyon-based organizations mobilized to promote the region’s strengths
In San Diego, Lyon was strongly represented through the delegation coordinated by Lyonbiopôle Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, which included:
- Antelope Therapeutics
- ANTINEO
- AUROBAC Therapeutics
- Axoltis Pharma
- Brenus Pharma
- COVALAB
- ErVimmune
- HEPHAISTOS-Pharma
- Lys Therapeutics
- NETRI
These companies highlight the diversity of innovation emerging from Lyon and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, from oncology to breakthrough technologies in neuroscience, immunotherapy, and antimicrobial resistance.
In addition, several Lyon-based companies and organizations were present at the convention, including Sanofi Vaccines, Boehringer Ingelheim, Seqens, Stragen, Adocia, NETRIS Pharma, Cevidra, Inpart.io, MabDesign, and the investment fund Archimed. Their presence further demonstrates the growing influence of Lyon’s life sciences ecosystem on the international stage.
Momentum driven by research, industry, and One Health initiatives
Lyon’s international visibility is built on a highly integrated model that brings together universities, research centers, hospitals, industrial leaders, and innovative companies. This positioning is reinforced by recognized expertise in vaccines, infectious diseases, diagnostics, oncology, animal health, and the One Health approach, which connects human health, animal health, and environmental health.
The BIO International Convention: connecting Lyon with global biotech decision-makers
Showcasing investment opportunities to international companies
The Lyon region’s participation in BIO is fully aligned with the international investment attraction mission led by ONLYLYON Invest. The objective is to present international companies with the advantages of establishing and growing their European operations in Lyon, including access to talent, research infrastructure, industrial capabilities, and tailored support for investment projects.
Building connections with investors, industrial partners, and healthcare networks
BIO also provides a valuable opportunity to engage with investment funds, technology partners, and international industry decision-makers. These connections help accelerate the growth of companies based in the region while strengthening the attractiveness of Greater Lyon for new business and investment projects.
Strengthening Lyon’s position as a leading European biotech hub
The 2026 edition also laid important groundwork for the future. In San Diego, Florent Gerbaud, Life Sciences and Healthcare Investment Advisor at ONLYLYON Invest, participated in the official announcement on the France Pavilion of the next BIO-Europe Spring, which will take place in Lyon from April 5–7, 2027, at Eurexpo Lyon.
The announcement, made alongside event organizer EBD Group, part of Informa, with the support of Lyonbiopôle, the Lyon Metropolitan Authority, and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, represents further international recognition of Lyon’s position as one of Europe’s leading biotechnology and healthcare hubs.
By hosting BIO-Europe Spring 2027, the Lyon region will continue its strategy of connecting industrial leaders, researchers, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the world. This momentum demonstrates the region’s ability to foster tomorrow’s innovations while attracting international life sciences projects.
This international outreach strategy will also continue at the next BIO International Convention, which will take place in Philadelphia from June 7–10, 2027. ONLYLYON Invest will once again be present to promote Lyon’s life sciences ecosystem to international companies, investors, and partners.