A group of top business and governmental stakeholders recently gathered in Edison for an event aimed at exploring the future of one of the state’s most critical sectors. The inaugural Life Sciences: The Future of New Jersey’s Iconic Industry Summit was held in March at the Eastern Atlantic Shores Carpenters Technical Center.

The event was organized by the Health Care Institute of New Jersey, which said that the purpose was to inform industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders about the future of the life sciences — and the Garden State’s leading role in advancing global health.

HINJ President and CEO Chrissy Buteas said that the life sciences ecosystem here in the state has not only saved lives but has served as the beating heart of New Jersey’s workforce and economy. “Our life sciences companies conduct groundbreaking research to develop new technologies, diagnostics, treatments, and cures that save and enhance people’s lives,” said Buteas. “With 3,200 life science firms and the highest concentration of scientists and engineers per square mile in the United States, New Jersey continues to be a global leader in advancing medical innovation. We must strengthen our innovation ecosystem to sustain our economy and discover new cures for patients worldwide.”

She also noted more than 1,700 life sciences facilities across New Jersey support nearly 370,000 jobs and contribute $130 billion to the state’s economic activity annually. “This industry represents nearly one-fifth of our state’s gross domestic product,” Buteas said. “This is because New Jersey has a rich legacy of spearheading America’s and the world’s innovation.”

Gov. Phil Murphy was unable to attend in person, but did send in video remarks to the summit.

The governor said he was bummed he could not attend and lauded the attendees for their roles in establishing the Garden State as a global leader in this space. “New Jersey is THE state for innovation – and that has been true for generations,” said Murphy. “We have a legendary track record of pioneering, game-changing inventions – from the light bulb to the Band-Aid; as well as building out entirely new industries. And our state remains home to some of the most talented thinkers in the world of innovation.”

In addition to the university research facilities in the state attracting the world’s top talent, Murphy also pointed out that 14 of the world’s 20 largest research-based biopharmaceutical companies maintain a headquarters or significant presence in New Jersey.

“In recent years, these New Jersey-associated companies have accounted for more than 50% of all FDA novel drug approvals,” the governor continued. “And our innovators are not slowing down any time soon. Our administration’s promise to you all is this – we will be right by your side in all the work to come. We will continue to help equip you with the resources you need to unlock new discoveries and change lives across the globe – for the better.”

Expert panels

The event featured three panels, starting with: Saving Lives Around the World by Finding Cures in New Jersey, which discussed the state’s crucial role in global health care through innovation and patient impact. The panel was moderated by Richard Bagger of Christie 55 Solutions, and included Patrick Collins, vice president of community and corporate affairs at the National Organization for Rare Disorders; David Perlin, chief scientific officer and executive vice president of the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation; Ric Timmers, innovation general manager for Bayer Consumer Health; and Buteas.

During the panel, Perlin shared insights from his work leading and growing the CDI over the last few years. “You can accelerate creating health solutions – if you leverage all aspects of this tremendous ecosystem that exists here,” said Perlin. “Bring everybody together for the common cause of creating those solutions. And that’s the way we operate – and what we are encouraging others to do as well.”

The second panel was titled New Jersey’s Life Sciences – Our State’s Economic Engine, which examined the life sciences sector as a crucial element of the state’s economy while emphasizing the sector’s role in driving innovation and job creation and highlighting collaboration between numerous stakeholders.

New Jersey Business & Industry Association President and CEO Michele Siekerka moderated the panel, which also included Peter Connolly, president and CEO of the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program; Sandy Castor, head of the Department of Economic Development in Middlesex County; AJ Sabath, representing the New Jersey Building & Construction Trades Council; and Tim Sullivan, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

Siekerka opened the panel by talking about the importance of institutions and collaboration. “We’ve heard this term a whole bunch of times this morning – ecosystem, ecosystem. And how do we take a system like life sciences and innovation – and how does that drive our economy? It takes the things we heard about this morning,” said Siekerka. “It takes collaboration to ensure that we can sustain. It takes some predictability and reliability. It takes having all the stakeholders around the table.

“And in this world, the marriage and intersection of academia, workforce development, those in the industry themselves, in government. That is the magic formula to getting stuff done. And here in the State of New Jersey, we have many opportunities for that. And you’re going to hear about how that collaboration comes together, with this panel today, in order to drive what is an amazing, dynamic industry that is a leader in New Jersey’s economy.”

Special thanks to all of our expert moderators & panelists who spurred discussions & offered perspective on our industry’s future & life-saving impact, both here in #NewJersey & around the globe. The future of NJ’s #lifesciences is looking bright! #HINJLifeSciencesSummit25 pic.twitter.com/NAocoz85hA

— HINJ (@HINJ_ORG) March 10, 2025

The final panel, Innovation Ecosystem – Partnering on Policies, explored the collaborative relationships among various stakeholders in developing effective policies that foster innovation across different industries. Christopher Paladino, president of the New Brunswick Development Corp. moderated the panel, which also included Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-19th District; Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, R-40th District; Dr. Anthony Lowman, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs of Rowan University; and Teik Lim, president of the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

“Innovation ecosystems that drive discovery, innovation, commercialization – eventually, economic and job growth – work most effectively when they are real partnerships between academics, scientists, policymakers, and the private sector,” said Paladino, who added that he could not ask for a better representation of that with the members of the panel. “These leaders represent not only what could be – but certainly they represent what is actually happening here in New Jersey.”

“The past has been terrific – the future is bright,” said Coughlin, as he ticked off items and investments that he was proud of over the last few years, especially in this life sciences and innovation space, as well as his next set of priorities. “The policies that we put in place, with a real commitment to bringing people together and taking advantage of all of the infrastructure, natural resources, if you will, of talent and institutions like the two represented to my left.”

Coughlin stressed the efforts and focus on these areas in the Legislature are bipartisan, giving a shoutout to his Republican colleague on the panel, DePhillips.

“And that makes an important statement to everybody involved – because what it provides is continuity,” said Coughlin.

“The Speaker’s right – innovation is not a political issue. It’s not a partisan issue,” said DePhillips. “New Jersey is the ‘Medicine Chest of the World.’ We have to keep it that way. And both Republicans and Democrats agree with that.”

As the event closed, Buteas said that the organizations and stakeholders she represents are cheerleaders for New Jersey.

“We want to stay here. We want to grow here,” said Buteas.