CPhI North America has formed a new partnership with Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization (iBIO). Through the partnership, CPhI North America will donate $10,000 to the iBIO EDUCATE Center, which delivers industry-led STEM programs to teachers and students, to support STEM programming for girls. In addition to this donation, iBIO members will also receive a discounted rate for attending the upcoming CPhI North America event, being held in Chicago from April 30 to May 2 at Lakeside Center, McCormick Place.
 
iBIO is an association that represents more than 85,000 life science employees at member companies, universities, service providers, and venture firms throughout Illinois. The partner-ship with CPhI North America invites iBIO members to make new connections and renew old ones by taking advantage of a 30 percent discounted attendee rate. IBIO members can register at https://chemical.connect.ubm.com/2019/ using promotional code 30IBIO.
 
CPhI North America’s $10,000 donation to the iBIO’s EDUCATE Center will specifically be used to fund iBIO’s Stellar Girls and STEM Girls Camp. Both programs work to introduce girls in grades three through eight to careers in STEM. Stellar Girls does this through after-school pro-gramming, and the STEM Girls Camp does this through a five-day summer camp.
“We’re delighted to support iBIO in its Stellar Girls and STEM Girls Camp initiatives as part of CPhI North America’s dedication to the promotion and growth of female interest and success in the biopharma field,” said Joseph Marks, brand director, CPhI North America. “As an industry-leading event committed to inclusivity and equality, we’re also proud to present the third annual Women in Leadership Forum, an integral component of CPhI North America, which this year focuses on the theme ‘From Manager to Leader,’ and will see senior leaders from the pharmaceutical industry sharing inspirations and defining moments in their leadership journeys to date.” CPhI North America’s Women in Leadership Forum takes place Thursday May 2, from 8.00am to 11.00am. At the Forum, iBIO will be presented with a $10,000 donation check to support the educational work for girls outlined above.
 
“iBIO and CPhI North America share many of the same values, creating a hub for talent to blos-som in the biopharma and biomanufacturing fields, and promoting equal opportunities and ed-ucation,” said John Conrad, president and chief executive officer, iBIO. “We’re excited that Illinois, home to the second highest concentration of biopharma companies in the U.S. outside of the Philadelphia/New York/New Jersey triangle, is hosting this year’s event. We’re delighted that CPhI is lending support to our STEM programs, and we’re focused on making sure that our community knows about this conference and that they take advantage of the discounted offer, are attending the events and maximizing their networking opportunities. Our role an industry host is to act as a conduit of that information for them, and for visiting companies, as well.”