ABOUT US

IBA's mission

Provide programs designed to aid in growth, profit, and survival of the intermountain bioscience industry
Provide an infrastructure for companies to exchange ideas, to network and to find solutions to common issues
Provide a mechanism to assure that the employee skills within the industry are continually upgraded to remain competitive;
Provide an interchange with other trade associations and government agencies in approaching issues affecting the industry

IBA’s Beginnings

Ping Fong Jr. came to Salt Lake to manage a startup company by the name of Bunnell. One of the major difficulties that he faced was that the proper training was only available in distant cities like LA and Chicago. As he networked with other people and companies, training proved to be a great need in the area. For that reason Fong organized breakfast meetings in which various topics were presented and discussed. The meeting rooms were always overcrowded on the days when FDA regulation and quality affairs were in the agenda; this lead to the formation of the IBA and our mission statement.

Historic Timeline

1989 - A committee was organized with the purpose to supply vital information for the success of bioscience companies in the intermountain area. The committee gave the group the name of "Intermountain Biomedical Association". IBA began to hold quarterly meetings focused on solving common issues faced by members in their respective bioscience occupations.
1993 - IBA hosted their first workshop on "Complaint Handling Systems".
1993 - IBA subscribed to the FDA’s Live Video Satellite Conferences, which were in turn made available to IBA attendees.
1995 - Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry Journal published an article featuring the IBA entitled "Utah Association finds Virtue in Informality".
1996 - Utah Division of Corporations and Commerce offered a stamp of approval to IBA as a nonprofit organization.
1997 - IBA began its focus on all day workshops. The first four all day sessions IBA hosted were presented by FDA/FDLI Live Satellite Video Conferences on Medical Device Law and Regulation.
1998 - The second annual IBA workshop focused on Design Controls.
1999 - The IBA Newsletter was created to announce our workshop and pertinent events to the Life Science Industry.
2003 - Despite the attention on the annual Fall Workshops, IBA began to find opportunities to host breakfast meetings and evening seminars on relevant topics.
2007 - IBA held its tenth annual workshop.
2009 - IBA and UTC co-hosted a luncheon with over 300 attendees. The focus was on working with the FDA.
For a more complete timeline click here.