DES MOINES, IA (March 5, 2025) – The Iowa Biotechnology Association (IowaBio) is excited to announce Joel Harris, Co-Founder and CEO of Genvax Technologies and Executive Director of the Ag Startup Engine, as the recipient of the 2025 Biotech Leader Award.

“We are excited to honor such an exceptional leader with the 2025 Iowa Biotech Leader Award,” said Jessica Hyland, Executive Director of IowaBio. “Joel Harris has been a trailblazer in the biotech field, advocating for the industry both nationally and globally. His innovative leadership in animal health and dedication to combatting the most economically significant livestock diseases have placed Iowa at the forefront of agricultural biotechnology.”

Mr. Harris was chosen for this prestigious honor from a pool of nominees reviewed by a panel of industry experts. The award was presented to Mr. Harris at the Iowa Biotech Showcase & Conference on March 5, 2025, in Ankeny, Iowa.

The Biotech Leader Award, sponsored by America’s Cultivation Corridor, is given to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership within their organization and the industry, successfully brought innovative biotech products and services to market, and advocated for Iowa’s life science sectors. The 2025 selection committee is proud to recognize Mr. Harris for his significant contributions to the growth of Iowa’s biotech industry.

Joel Harris played a pivotal role in the success of Harrisvaccines, a pioneering company focused on developing mRNA vaccines for livestock, which was founded by his father, Dr. Hank Harris. Following the acquisition of Harrisvaccines by Merck Animal Health in 2015, Mr. Harris joined Merck as a Marketing Associate, where he was instrumental in overseeing business integration, facilitating technology transfer, and advancing the global expansion of Harrisvaccines' proprietary platform, now branded Sequivity.

Identifying critical gaps in animal health, such as suboptimal vaccine efficacy and a shortage of solutions for emerging infectious diseases, Mr. Harris launched Genvax Technologies in 2021. Genvax is at the forefront of innovation in self-amplifying mRNA and nanoparticle vaccine development for livestock, with a mission of scaling precision animal vaccines for a global market by replacing outdated and cost-prohibitive vaccine approaches. The company is currently in progress of developing a novel avian influenza vaccine to address the ongoing bird flu outbreak.

Mr. Harris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Iowa and a Post Professional Certificate in Narrative Communications from Northwestern University.

Pictured (left to right): Billi Hunt, executive director of America's Cultivation Corridor, Joel Harris, the 2025 Iowa Biotech Leader of the Year award recipient, and Jessica Hyland, executive director of IowaBio. 

About IowaBio

Since 1994, the Iowa Biotechnology Association (IowaBio) has provided benefits and services to promote the interests and growth of the life sciences industries in Iowa. IowaBio is a non-profit, membership-based organization with a diversified membership including industry companies from all segments of biotechnology, universities & colleges, state & federal associations, as well as numerous service and support companies. The Association seeks to promote the success and growth of biotech-based businesses in Iowa. For more information, please visit www.iowabio.org.

About America’s Cultivation Corridor

Focused on further developing and marketing the world-renowned agricultural and bioscience economy in Iowa, America’s Cultivation Corridor is building on a rich history of innovation to accelerate value-added agriculture business development by attracting companies, talent and capital from across the globe to the state.

About the Iowa Biotech Showcase & Conference

The Iowa Biotech Showcase & Conference is a two-day conference held every spring featuring a startup pitch competition, industry-specific and collaboration-focused breakout sessions, legislative update, keynote presentation, and networking features. IBSC brings together innovators, investors, biotech leaders, and support vendors, and provides top-notch information and content to Iowa’s diverse biotech industry.

This year’s award was sponsored and presented by America’s Cultivation Corridor. America's Cultivation Corridor accelerates ag-tech and bioscience startups by connecting them to the global resources, talent, and capital of Iowa.

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