Introduction
This past March, BioProcess International US West 2025 turned one wing of the vast San Diego Convention Center into a vibrant hub of bioprocessing innovation. The sun-soaked Southern California venue provided a breezy backdrop for some 800 industry leaders and professionals gathering to share knowledge, forge connections, and explore cutting-edge developments related to biopharmaceuticals and advanced therapies. This annual event continues to showcase the growing importance of bioprocessing in advancing medical treatments and therapeutic solutions.
Program
The conference kicked off with an inspiring keynote presentation by Tracy Ryan (cofounder and chief communications officer at NKore BioTherapeutics). She shared a moving personal story about her daughter Sophie’s brain-tumor diagnosis at just eight and a half months old, which kicked off a treatment journey that led to Ryan’s collaboration with NKore cofounder Dr. Anahid Jewett from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). This compelling talk set a tone for the conference, reminding attendees of the powerful influence their work have on real patients’ lives.
Balancing technical depth with practical applications, the overall program was forward-looking, featuring industry experts from top research and development organizations along with all the biggest and many up-and-coming suppliers of vital technologies and services. Cell and gene therapy sessions offered valuable insights into emerging trends and future directions of this maturing industry: e.g., scalable manufacturing processes, quality control strategies, and innovative approaches to cell-therapy production.
Parallel tracks in the rest of the technical program allowed attendees to focus on their specific areas of interest while offering them exposure to ideas outside their own “siloes.” Process-development sessions highlighted optimization strategies; manufacturing-excellence sessions addressed key challenges in scaling up production and maintaining consistency; analytics and quality sessions discussed the latest developments in product characterization and quality control methodologies.
Attendees mixed and mingled with diverse speakers representing different parts of the bioprocessing ecosystem: e.g., AbbVie, Amgen, A*STAR, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Biogen, BMS, Cedars Sinai, the US Food and Drug Administration, Genentech (Roche), GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Lonza, Merck, Ohio State University, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Texas A&M University, and the Universities of California and Utah. The mix of perspectives led to rich discussions of industry developments, from early stage research through commercial manufacturing.
Attendees in postconference surveys called this an “exceptionally well-organized event” and praised the high-quality meals and refreshments that kept energy levels up throughout an intensive four-day program. Many people followed the smell of popcorn through the exhibit hall and happily thanked the sponsor providing the free snacks. And several attendees reported forming new partnerships and collaborations during the week.
Interactive panel discussions proved to be particularly engaging this year, with experts both on and off the stage untangling complex topics such as supply chain optimization, regulatory compliance, and sustainability in bioprocessing. Active participation from the audience — perhaps fueled by ample caffeine and California cuisine — brought dynamic exchanges of ideas and practical solutions to widespread industry challenges.
Exhibition
The exhibit hall buzzed with activity throughout the week, featuring more than 100 exhibitors who showcased their technologies and services. From advanced bioreactor systems to innovative filtration technologies and cutting-edge analytical instruments, the exhibition gave attendees a chance to get up-close and personal with tools and experts shaping the future of bioprocessing.
A number of breakthrough technologies were unveiled during the week, including new single-use systems designed to improve process efficiency and reduce contamination risks. Artificial-intelligence and machine-learning applications in bioprocessing garnered particular attention — with several conference presentations highlighting their potential to optimize process development and manufacturing operations.
An excellent collection of highly detailed scientific and technical posters drew much interest from attendees. Hot topics included protein recovery and purification, antib0dy–drug conjugate (ADC) development, cell-line development and upstream production, and continuous processing. Multiple presentations emphasized improving production efficiency and yield, particularly for therapeutic antibody manufacturing. Posters consistently emphasized enhancing product quality while maintaining safety standards. Innovation in high-throughput technologies and automated systems emerged as a key trend for accelerating development timelines and improving manufacturing capabilities.
Venue
As always, the San Diego location proved ideal for fostering a relaxed yet professional and innovative atmosphere characteristic of the West Coast. The distinctive sail-like roofline of San Diego Convention Center mirrors its maritime setting, and floor-to-ceiling windows flood its spacious halls with natural light. Conference attendees this year appreciated easy access to the Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, and Harbor Drive. The venue not only supports formal sessions and exhibits, but also informal networking on a sunny terrace overlooking the harbor. For those interested in more than just professional development, a great week of reliably pleasant So-Cal weather made it easy to take advantage of the city attractions.
It’s Not Over Yet!
For many attendees, the main challenge of the week was choosing which talks to attend, given the wealth of concurrent presentations and networking opportunities available throughout the week. Informa provides one solution via Streamly (https://informaconnect.com/pharma-forum/streamly), its online video streaming platform, on which many presentations and panel discussions appear in the months following the event itself.
For 2025, BPI US West reinforced its place as the premier West-Coast event in the bioprocessing calendar: successfully bringing together bright ideas, bold science, and big innovations while focusing on efficiency quality through every phase of bioprocessing — and personal connections for the people involved. The presenters, sponsors, and attendees together reinforced the industry’s commitment to advancing therapeutic solutions that improve patient outcomes around the world. Many of us already are looking forward to next year.
