BIO is the world's largest biotechnology organization, providing advocacy, business development, and communications services for more than 1,150 members worldwide. Corporate members range from entrepreneurial companies in the process of developing a first product to Fortune 100 multinationals. BIO also represents state and regional biotech associations, academic centers, and service providers to the industry.

Since BIO was formed in 1993, the biology-based, entrepreneurial industry has grown from a small number of companies concentrated in a few cities to an industry that increasingly extends throughout society. Nearly every state courts biotechnology development, as do an increasing number of countries around the world.