Organizers of the meeting in Santa Clara, CA, made the announcement following the release of guidance by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department that recommended the postponement or cancellation of large public events and mass gatherings. The event will be rescheduled for later in the year, according to the conference website.

As of March 5, a total of 20 individuals had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with six new cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus disease, in Santa Clara County.

The conference's host, Bioprocess International, also has the Bioprocess International Europe Conference upcoming in late April, which is currently set to proceed as normal.