San Diego’s biotech trade group Biocom is opening an office in Los Angeles.

The trade group’s goal is to help grow the L.A. life science community, which is home to nearly 300 biopharmaceutical and medical device firms, according to Biocom.

“Los Angeles as a region has enormous potential to unify and thrive as a successful life science cluster,” said Joe Panetta, president and chief executive of Biocom, in a statement. “As we listen to the needs of the industry, we see activities and programs we can introduce, and best practices we can offer, to promote the success of L.A. as a life science powerhouse.”

Panetta said Biocom will advocate for the industry, and be a voice for venture capital funding, partnerships, tech transfer, and talent retention in Los Angeles.