BIOCOM Technologies
Biocom Technologies is a life science industry association founded in 1995 in San Diego, California.
Profile
Biocom Technologies provides advocacy, cost-saving programs, and networking for life science companies.
Biocom Technologies is a life science industry association founded in 1995 in San Diego, California. Originally established to advocate for the state's biotechnology sector, it has grown into a comprehensive support network for over 800 member organizations, including biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics companies, as well as research universities and service providers. The organization operates offices in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Tokyo, with a staff of 40 as of 2016.
Biocom's core offerings include group purchasing programs, health insurance trusts, and policy advocacy. Its Beyond Benefits Trust, launched in 2012, is a multiple employer welfare association (MEWA) that provides health insurance to small and mid-sized life science companies, covering 6,800 employees across 202 companies as of 2016. The trust achieved a 1.4% decrease in premiums for 2017, contrasting with industry-wide increases.
Biocom also negotiates discounted lab supply contracts with vendors like Fisher Scientific. Recent activities include participation in NIIMBL's BioCAD Data Programming for Biomanufacturing Scale-Up project, collaborating with Genentech and Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC to develop data analytics training for biomanufacturing workforce development.
Who buys this
- Biotechnology companies
- Pharmaceutical firms
- Medical device manufacturers
- Research universities and institutes
- Clinical research organizations
Publicly disclosed clients
- Novvi Inc
- Genentech
- Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Strengths and what to watch
Strengths
- Operates California's only life science health insurance trust with demonstrated cost reductions
- Group purchasing power yielding discounted lab supplies through partnerships like Fisher Scientific
- Cross-sector collaboration platform through NIIMBL workforce development projects
Watch for
- Dependence on California market concentration - 80% of members headquartered in-state as of 2016
- MEWA regulatory risk - healthcare trusts face scrutiny over solvency requirements
- Leadership continuity - CEO Joe Panetta has led since 2009 with no public succession plan
Key Information
- Founded
- 1995
- Headquarters
- San Diego, California
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BIOCOM Technologies do for biotech companies?
BIOCOM Technologies advocates for life science firms, negotiates group purchasing discounts on lab supplies, and operates a health insurance trust. Serving 800+ members since 1995, it reduces costs through programs like Beyond Benefits Trust, which cut premiums by 1.4% in 2017 while industry rates rose.
How does BIOCOM's health insurance trust work?
The Beyond Benefits Trust is a multiple employer welfare association (MEWA) providing coverage to 6,800 employees across 202 small-to-midsize life science companies. It achieved 1.4% lower premiums in 2017 versus market increases, demonstrating BIOCOM's collective bargaining power for member cost savings.
Which major companies partner with BIOCOM Technologies?
BIOCOM collaborates with industry leaders including Genentech, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, and Novvi Inc. These partnerships enable initiatives like the NIIMBL BioCAD project, developing data analytics training for biomanufacturing workforce advancement across academia and industry.
What discounts does BIOCOM offer on lab supplies?
BIOCOM negotiates reduced pricing with vendors like Fisher Scientific through collective purchasing power. Members access these savings alongside other cost-reduction programs, complementing the organization's health insurance trust and policy advocacy services for comprehensive operational support.
Where is BIOCOM Technologies headquartered?
Founded in San Diego in 1995, BIOCOM maintains offices in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Tokyo. While 80% of members are California-based, its programs serve life science organizations nationwide through insurance trusts, purchasing consortia, and cross-sector collaborations.
How does BIOCOM support biomanufacturing workforce development?
Through projects like NIIMBL's BioCAD Data Programming initiative, BIOCOM partners with Genentech and Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC to create analytics training programs. These address skills gaps in biomanufacturing scale-up, combining industry expertise with academic research capabilities.
Sources
- www.prnewswire.com — Health insurance trust membership and cost reduction data
- www.prnewswire.com — Participation in NIIMBL BioCAD project
- www.prnewswire.com — Staff count and geographic operations
- www.biocom.org — Current member count and service offerings