The California Life Sciences Association (CLSA) has officially launched as a representation for California’s life sciences sector. CLSA now is the largest state and regional life sciences advocacy group in the country, with more than 750 members. The organization advances California’s life sciences innovation ecosystem by advocating for effective national, state and local public policies and supporting entrepreneurs and life sciences businesses. CLSA is the result of a completed merger between BayBio and California Healthcare Institute.

“Our industry is at the cusp of improving global healthcare, but without supportive public policy, the potential of new innovations to transform health and life will not be realized,” said Rick Winningham, chairman of CLSA and chairman and CEO of Theravance Biopharma. “Through CLSA, we have created the strongest possible organization, advocating for policies that support innovation and enable the success of our member organizations, as well as the growth of the life sciences sector within California.”

CLSA works with over 750 biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostics companies, research universities and institutes, investors and service providers. CLSA is headquartered in California with offices in San Diego, South San Francisco and Sacramento, as well as in Washington, D.C.

“Our top priority is the wellbeing of people everywhere,” said Sara Radcliffe, president and CEO of CLSA. “Our society depends on advancements in science and technology to create a greater quality of life through transformative innovation. CLSA is committed to providing one robust, unified voice for California’s life sciences sector, which works tirelessly to drive advances that will benefit patients and consumers in the U.S. and around the world for many years to come.”