Supporting Los Angeles Biotech & Life Science Companies

Biocom California Welcomes Stephanie Hsieh as Executive Director, Los Angeles

Biocom recently appointed Stephanie Hsieh as the Executive Director of our Los Angeles office. Stephanie is an industry leader with over 25 years of biotech and biopharma experience. Most recently, she was the president and chief executive officer of Meditope Biosciences, Inc., an early-stage biotechnology company based in Pasadena. Previously, Ms. Hsieh held numerous senior management roles, leading cross-functional teams to develop and execute business and new product strategies built heavily upon the intersection of the patent laws and regulatory landscape. Follow Stephanie on Twitter here and on LinkedIn here.

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ABOUT

Biocom California accelerates member success with targeted programs and customized services reflecting the many unique aspects of the greater Los Angeles region. One size does not fit all, and Biocom’s Los Angeles programs are tailored to the area. As a growing cluster in California, Biocom’s Los Angeles office aims to build the networks that are critical to economic growth in the life science industry. Learn about our Los Angeles Regional Policy Priorities here.

LOS ANGELES EVENTS

Biocom California creates valuable networks that accelerate member success in Los Angeles through a variety of programs, including specialized events, targeted conferences, expert committees, leadership dinners, industry-focused meetings, scientific roundtables, venture capital days, and member-to-member networking. To address the greatest challenge of the region—its lack of a geographical center—Biocom holds these events throughout the greater LA area in broad range of locations, times and venues.

Los Angeles News

Stay up to date with the latest life science news from around the Los Angeles area.

Los Angeles Committees

Facilities/EH&S Committee – Los Angeles

Facilities/EH&S Committee – Los Angeles

The joint Facilities/EH&S committee provides a central forum in the Los Angeles life science community for professionals working in these fields to share best practices, participate in continuing education opportunities, and design workshops and events.

Topics include construction, permitting, lab/office design, inspections, and other issues involved in operating a facility. Through this committee, Biocom California members work collaboratively with local regulators and inspectors to ensure consistency in regulatory application and consideration of the industry in legislative proposals.

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Greater Los Angeles Policy Committee

Greater Los Angeles Policy Committee

Biocom’s Greater Los Angeles Policy Committee meets on an ad-hoc basis to address policy issues in the greater Los Angeles area. This committee provides a forum for Biocom California members to proactively deliver input on proposed legislative changes at city and county levels of government. It also conducts review and discussion of proposed Biocom legislative positions and votes on which ones merit Biocom California positions, and what those positions should be.

Group participants have the opportunity to attend Biocom policy related events, including legislative roundtables and Biocom California receptions for elected officials.

Committee contact: Melanie Cohn

Los Angeles Startup Resources Committee

Los Angeles Startup Resources Committee

The Los Angeles Startup Resources Committee supports the growing early-stage ecosystem in the greater Los Angeles region, while providing opportunities for committee members to meet other area professionals, keep current on issues affecting the local industry, and share best practices.

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“Biocom was pivotal in setting the stage in Los Angeles for BioLabs LA to even exist. Our partnership allows the startups at Biolabs to tap into the larger network of experts and talent through great programming and networking events. Having Biocom on your side in lends a voice to your efforts and a way to stretch valuable funds through advice and purchasing discounts. We are proud to be part of the Biocom family and know that they will fight for our members not just locally but at the national level as well.”

Gary Olsem, Site Director, Biolabs LA

“The MESH Academy is honored to collaborate with Biocom to help provide the social glue connecting innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors to the vibrant bioscience ecosystem in Los Angeles.”

Vasiliki Anest, PhD., Senior Director, MESH Academy at the Keck School of Medicine of USC

“Biocom has consistently brought ecosystem stakeholders together to support and advance life science innovation in Los Angeles. They separate themselves by identifying and tailoring meetings that add value for all participants: investors, emerging companies, thought leaders and government officials. I am delighted to have been able to benefit from each and every program.”

Kwame Ulmer, Venture Partner, Wavemaker Three-Sixty Health

Los Angeles Team

Stephanie Hsieh

Executive Director, Los Angeles

Stephanie Hsieh

Executive Director, Los Angeles — Los Angeles

As Executive Director of the Los Angeles office, Stephanie is at the leading edge of transforming the greater Los Angeles area into a premier life science hub, devising and executing on impactful strategies and initiatives for ensuring growth and sustainability for our members and the industry generally.

Stephanie has spent almost 30 years in biotech, most recently as CEO of an immune-oncology start-up in the Los Angeles area. She holds B.A. in biochemistry from Wellesley College, a J.D. from Columbia University and an M.B.A. from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.

Personal interests:

Cycling without brakes
Adventure travel
U.S. Constitution

Hanan Al-Hakim

Associate Director, L.A. Operations, Community Engagement & Partnerships

Hanan Al-Hakim

Associate Director, L.A. Operations, Community Engagement & Partnerships — Los Angeles

Hanan is responsible for connecting Los Angeles-area life science companies, professionals and entrepreneurs through regional events, and delivering LA members best-in-class service. In addition, she helps highlight LA’s bustling life science industry through social media and marketing communications.

She brings to Biocom a background in program management, account and partner relations, event planning, project management, and marketing analysis. Hanan obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Cal State Northridge and a Master’s in Business Administration from Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management.

Personal Interests:

Fitness

Food

and Fashion

Casey O’Neill

Program Associate

Casey O’Neill

Program Associate — Los Angeles

Casey is responsible for the support of programming, benefits and awareness efforts for Los Angeles’ expanding life science industry primarily through regional events and collaboration with members and partners. She also represents Biocom’s LA members’ interests in public policy and events, and supports the initiatives of LA’s STEM outreach program.

Casey brings a background in event planning, client services, community volunteer work and administrative support, specifically c-level executive assistance and office management. Previously, she worked in post-production entertainment and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from Pepperdine University.

Personal Interests:

Music

Family & Friends

Random acts of kindness

Mavis Yao

Business Development Manager

Mavis Yao

Business Development Manager

Mavis is responsible for engaging our LA area members to support their business growth, as well as identifying new opportunities for membership within the life science, medical device and digital health industries. Mavis also focuses on continuing to elevate the LA region’s extensive life science and healthcare communities through collaborative opportunities that accelerate innovative ideas.

Mavis brings extensive experience in several sectors to Biocom California. In the financial arena, she held positions in investment banking, option trading, equity analysis and alternative investments. Additionally, Mavis served as an equity analyst at a top-tier Asia based hedge fund, Penta, where she advised on equity strategies in the Asia Markets.

Moreover, Mavis is an Entrepreneur in Residence at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ FDA-funded Medtech Accelerator Program. In addition to advising C-suite executives on cross-functional operations, financial infrastructure development and strategic planning, Mavis was selected to be on the judging panel to review FDA-funded grant applications by collaborating with physicians, engineers and regulators to assess product viability based on commercial viability and milestone feasibility. In her free time,

Personal Interests: