MIA HOSTS INAUGURAL SOUTH FLORIDA LIFE SCIENCES SHOWCASE
More than 100 biomedical executives gathered to discuss growing local industry
The Miami-Dade Aviation Department continued to bolster the local bio-medical industry by hosting the inaugural South Florida Life Sciences Showcase on March 23 at Miami International Airport (MIA), which was attended by more than 100 professionals working in medical technology, biopharmaceuticals, health IT and marine biotechnology. Showcase sponsors and exhibitors included Fisher Scientific, Sensus Healthcare, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, BioTeknica, BioTools, Eppendorf and Vitamin-D Creative.
The half-day workshop included presentations on life science industry trends and best practices, including an update from MDAD officials on MIA's Pharma.aero program. MIA and Brussels Airport – the first two airports in the world designated as pharma freight hubs by the International Air Transport Association – created Pharma.aero in May 2016 to grow the global pharmaceutical cargo business through a collaborative network of the world’s top airports. Since its launch, the organization has added Singapore Changi Airport, Sharjah (UAE) International Airport, Brussels Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Brinks Life Sciences as strategic members. The total value of pharma products transported through MIA has increased by 140 percent from $1.8 billion in 2010 to $4.3 billion in 2016.
In addition to handling more perishable imports than any other U.S. airport, pharma products and medical equipment have become huge trade commodities at MIA. The launch of the annual Life Sciences Showcase, along with Pharma.aero and other MIA initiatives, are efforts we have developed to be on the forefront of this growth trend.
Other cargo business development innovations launched by MIA recently include: Florida’s first ocean-to-air perishables trans-shipment program, which allows MIA to receive perishable freight from local seaports and have them depart by air, without incurring CBP duties; a Foreign Trade Zone magnet site designation, which upon approval will allow a variety of manufacturers to lease vacant property at MIA and have their tariffs deferred, reduced or eliminated; and the Cargo Optimization, Redevelopment and Expansion (CORE) Program, a comprehensive concept to modernize MIA’s existing cargo operation and double its capacity.
To request materials in accessible format, Sign Language Interpreters, CART services and/or any accommodation to participate in any Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) public meetings and events please email the ADA Office at ADAcoordinator@miami-airport.com or call the office in 305-876-7747 five days in advance to initiate your request. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).