MISSOURI BIOTECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION - WHAT WE DO
Missouri Biotechnology Association (MOBIO) is the only statewide membership group that speaks with one voice to advance and champion the life sciences in Jefferson City, across the state, and in Washington, D.C. MOBIO represents most extensive and broadest cross-section of life science organizations including businesses, higher education, medical research, start-ups, agri-science and related firms involved in research, development, and commercialization of the life sciences. MOBIO serves to connect, develop, and advance the state’s bioscience community.
MOBIO members benefit from a strategic focus to support the enrichment and growth of the biosciences in Missouri through:
Statewide Network
MOBIO connections make a difference, specializing in meaningful business-to-business engagements and bridging:
- A network of diversified thought leaders
- Business leaders with policymakers
- Entrepreneurs with investors
- Members to greater market potential
Members connect at regional, national, and international levels with science, education, and commercial networks to advance business and enrich the industry.
MOBIO is the catalyst, accelerating growth and leveraging high-value relationships for our vibrant life sciences community.
Science & Policy
MOBIO advocates for Missouri’s life sciences and technology sectors. Maintaining a sophisticated understanding of current dynamics, MOBIO serves as your trusted voice for bipartisan engagement and leadership within the Missouri State Capitol.
- MOBIO forges meaningful relationships between public and private sector leaders to:
- Defend companies large and small
- Obtain and safeguard public investment
- Secure state funding for Missouri's life science industry
The strength of MOBIO's collective voice consistently delivers a compelling message to advance pro-science, pro-business legislative policy.
Member Savings
MOBIO saves members real money, providing access to numerous partner organizations that offer significant discounts on relevant industry products and services.
- R & D
- Laboratory
- Finance & Administration
- Facilities & Operations
- Communications & Data
All MOBIO members are entitled to preferred purchasing power. There is NO fee to participate.
MOBIO Member Highlight
Likarda, LLC
1 Broadway, 14th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02142
P: (816) 605-6440
Likarda is a biotech company developing cell therapies and enabling technologies to transform the way cell therapies are delivered and function.
Likarda's foundational technology is based on cell encapsulation and delivery in hydrogels using our patented Core-Shell Spherification® (CSS™) platform, an entirely new modality for the delivery of cell therapies. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions because every cell therapy is unique. Unlike technologies that utilize alginate or modify alginate, Likarda utilizes readily available and biocompatible hydrogel materials such Hyaluronic Acid, PEG, PVA, and a number of other chemistries to create microcapsules that can easily house cell-based therapies. Likarda’s large library of formulations enable matching the precise hydrogel to the cell therapy specifications.
This can produce superior biocompatible cell-based treatments for either:
(1) injectable cell therapies in a slow-release, degradable formulation enabling localization and increased efficacy, or
(2) coating the cells in an immunoprotective barrier for injection/transplant for long-term treatments.
CSS is versatile, enabling both durable and degradable versions, and can be applied to a variety of cell therapies.
Likarda is developing treatments for diabetes, osteoarthritis, and joint pain. Our long-term platform is being utilized to deliver and protect islet-like cells for the treatment of diabetes. This has shown success in small and large animal models and we’re continuing to conduct pre-clinical testing in spontaneously diabetic dogs. Our short-term platform is being developed for osteoarthritis whereby encapsulated stem cells are injected into the knee and then slowly released over a 6-8 week period, bringing successful treatment of joint pain and reversal of the OA joint degradation.
Along its many awards, Likarda was chosen as “One of the 50 Most Promising Start-Ups in the World” during Global Entrepreneurship Week. To date, Likarda has been funded for over $8M through private investments, grants, and revenue-generating contract services.
Visit www.likarda.com for more information.
MOBIO Breakthrough
Join us for MOBIO's Breakthrough of the Month series, where we explore Missouri's new and sometimes hidden biotech industry.
This is a virtual learning platform for the greater life science community where we highlight and discuss novel discoveries, new business opportunities, and potential partnerships.
This is a FREE presentation that is open to those in the life-science community.
Are you interested in featuring your organization or discovery? Please reach out to us, via email.
