Attendees begin filing in before the show.

That’s not just water, it’s…OK, no it’s just water.

Not an empty seat in the house. The crowd has continued to grow for our New York biotech events, a testament to the momentum building in the city.

To give you a sense of the growth in New York biotech, behind these attendees is the Alexandria Center’s latest tower, mid-construction. It didn’t exist a few years ago.

Speaking of the Alexandria Center, here’s Alexandria Real Estate Equities CEO Joel Marcus giving an overview of the city’s life science efforts. The spot we were all sitting in was a “contaminated laundry site” not too long ago, he said.

Seattle’s Accelerator Corp. has started up two companies, Petra Pharma and Lodo Therapeutics, since opening up a branch in New York. David Schubert, Accelerator’s chief operating officer, gives a behind-the-scenes look at how those two companies came together with the help of scientific founders Lewis Cantley (left, Petra) and Sean Brady (right, Lodo).

Attendee pro tip: Arrive early, or it’s standing room only.

Flagship Ventures partner Doug Cole told the audience what led his firm to help manage a $150 million biotech fund for New York City---and what locals must do to maximize the “raw potential” in New York’s biotech scene.

Among the attendees looking on is Jason Park (front right), a principal at Flagship and the point man for the firm’s biotech efforts in New York.

We always try to give folks a chance to chime in and ask questions.

Columbia University professor and Kallyope co-founder Charles Zuker talks about how the circuitry of the gut-brain axis---an information superhighway between the cells in our guts and brain---is implicated in our senses of what tastes sweet or bitter.

With much of the crowd making their way out to go schmooze, Kallyope CEO and ex-Merck executive Nancy Thornberry sticks around to talk to an attendee.

As does Columbia’s Zuker.

The post-event networking was a zoo. Attendees stayed late to keep the party going.

And the drinks were flowing, which never hurts.

One of the locals to show up was Organovo and Modern Meadow co-founder Andras Forgacs. Modern Meadow is based in the Brooklyn Army Terminal’s “BioBAT” space.

The vibe at the event was great. You do get the sense that this is a group passionate about changing things in New York.

Good times, handshakes, and business card exchanges.

Exchanging contacts? Checking their March Madness brackets? It must be one of the two.

How’s about a round of applause for all who showed up and packed the house? We’ll see you all next year.