🔒New BioCT leader Gillon says boosting venture funding, bioscience talent pipeline key priorities

Jodie Gillon has been an advocate in the healthcare field for years.

She has gone before the Israeli parliament and U.S. Congress to lobby for changes in healthcare laws, with an aim of expanding potentially life-saving treatments.

Her efforts have proven fruitful. In Israel, she successfully pushed for anonymous HIV testing.

In the U.S., she successfully advocated for “compassionate use,” giving patients facing life-threatening conditions early access to investigational drugs outside of clinical trials.

Gillon said she has been inspired to improve people’s health since a young age, when she volunteered to help patients at a New York City hospital at just 15.

Now, Gillon is leading BioCT, which serves as the voice for Connecticut’s bioscience industry. She took over as president and CEO on May 8.

BioCT manages two incubators, one in Groton and one in New Haven, with the latter at the John B. Pierce Laboratory on Congress Avenue. In addition to supporting life sciences companies, BioCT provides lobbying, mentoring and educational services.

Gillon said she views her new job as an opportunity to continue to positively impact patients’ lives.

“I want to make sure every player in the life sciences industry is part of this organization, and we are meeting their needs,” Gillon said.

Rare disease focus

Connecticut’s bioscience industry has made strides in tackling ailments from cancer to COVID-19, from debilitating migraine headaches to chronic skin disorders.

The state hosts about 23,000 employees at more than 1,300 life sciences companies, according to a 2022 report from AdvanceCT.

Gillon, a Westport resident, replaced Dawn Hocevar, who retired in April following 5 ½ years in the role.

Stanley Choy, chairman of BioCT’s board of directors, said Gillon brings “unique skills and expertise” to the position, pointing to her career trajectory.

She has 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, including roles at companies such as Peptilogics, Abeona Therapeutics, Pfizer, Achillion Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Novartis and Oridion Medical.

Gillon, an epidemiologist, has worked in multiple therapeutic areas. A particular focus and interest of hers has been fighting rare diseases, including speeding up the diagnosis phase so patients can get treatments as early as possible.

It was while working at Achillion (acquired by Alexion Pharmaceuticals in 2020) that Gillon said she fell in love with Connecticut and New Haven, particularly the latter’s museums, theaters, restaurants and walkability.

Listening tour

Gillon said she is in the midst of a “listening tour,” including meeting with BioCT’s board, members, stakeholders and other organizations, to learn what their needs are, and how BioCT can help meet them.

The five-employee organization currently has about 200 members.

Given her lengthy background in bioscience, Gillon already has ideas about issues facing the industry, which she hopes to address.

“Right now, it is a tough time to secure funding,” Gillon said. “That is always going to be top of mind for any biotech in particular: How do we secure the funding that we need to continue along our trajectory?”

Another top issue for the industry is around hiring, including finding qualified labor to fill key roles, she said.

“It is one of the most challenging things for management,” she said.

Gillon said she hopes to help companies find talent and grow their headcounts in Connecticut, while also maintaining their headquarters and offering senior-level positions here.

Another priority is ensuring state policy and legislation support the industry so it can grow. Gillon is asking industry members how BioCT should focus its legislative lobbying efforts.

The organization has spent about $7,500 on lobbying during this year’s legislative session, state records show.

Gillon said she also plans to pursue collaborations with other organizations that promote the bioscience industry.

Another industry group includes the Connecticut Bioscience Growth Council, which is part of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association.

“There are so many great organizations in the state supporting the bioscience sector, and I want to make sure we are collaborating and working in lockstep — that is a top priority,” Gillon said.

Promoting the industry

While it has incubators in Groton and New Haven, BioCT has been asked to launch other incubators too, Gillon said.

The trade group has a discount purchasing program to benefit the industry and provide opportunities for savings. Gillon said she aims to expand this so it can be maximized by all of BioCT’s membership.

The state has multiple bioscience clusters, particularly in Farmington, Branford, New Haven and Stamford, but Gillon noted they are spread out statewide.

She said she aims to ascertain if there is an appetite for BioCT to host more educational events. BioCT regularly hosts networking and informational events covering topics ranging from the availability of state and federal tax credits to the future of laboratory space.

“One of my plans is to think more regionally, too,” she said. “We have this amazing space in Groton and we are hosting events there. That is fantastic, but what about the folks in Stamford?”

Making others aware of Connecticut’s bioscience industry outside the state is also key, she said.

“What we really need to do is market that ecosystem outside of Connecticut,” she said. “We need to be loud and proud outside our geography about everything that is going on here, to bring more companies, venture capitalists and investors in.”