Known for sunshine, Hollywood Movies, Mikey Mouse, and Silicon Valley, California has been at the center of global biotech for nearly half a century. The 1976 founding of Genentech in South San Francisco is considered the birth of the modern biotechnology industry.

However, the US Congress’ recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act is now understood to pose serious risks to the California biotech sector, potentially starving it of badly needed investment capital. 

On this Vital Health Podcast, Duane Schulthess speaks with Mike Guerra, the President & CEO of California Life Sciences (CLS), regarding the many mounting challenges to maintaining California’s global biopharma leadership.

For 30 years, CLS has supported early-stage innovators and startups, as well as established players in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology. Mike has been leading CLS since 2019. Last year, he was named CEO of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal and has more than a decade of experience in the life sciences.