Ceilidh

Michael Zey
futurist3000@aol.com

NEW YORK, June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- State funding for the biosciences has grown dramatically in the past three years in New York, according to a new study by the Battelle Memorial Institute, the State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) and Fleishman-Hillard International Communications for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). According to the study, "Laboratories of Innovation: State Bioscience Initiatives 2004" -- the most comprehensive analysis of the life sciences industry ever conducted in the United States -- New York ranks second in the United States in three areas: total university research and development (R&D) expenditures ($2.76 billion), life sciences R&D expenditures ($1.89 billion), and biological scientists in the workforce (more than 33,000). The study also reported that New York is third in the country in total National Institutes of Health support to institutions ($1.71 billion) as well as higher education degrees in biological sciences (nearly 6,400).

"We're proud that New York is fast becoming a world leader in biotechnology research and that we've taken unprecedented steps to attract new jobs and biotech companies to New York," said New York Governor George E. Pataki. "New York has a wealth of examples of how our successful biotechnology strategy has built upon the unique strengths and assets of our State economy all across New York. Our biotechnology companies are expanding and creating new, good paying high-tech jobs. As we move ahead with Phase II of New York's high-technology and biotechnology job creation efforts, New York is fostering the growth and expansion of new and existing biotechnology companies -- which is playing an important role in our ambitious effort to create one million new jobs in New York by the end of the decade."

The five major sub-sectors of the bioscience industry are agricultural feedstock and chemicals; drugs and pharmaceuticals; medical devices and equipment; research and testing; and academic health centers, research hospitals and research institutes.

Key Findings from the BIO-Batelle Study  

The BIO-Batelle study is the most comprehensive analysis ever done to quantify the scope and impact of bioscience employment in all 50 states. It also examines programs in each state to promote the development of bioscience companies. This state-by-state analysis expands on a 2001 study that looked at activities in 42 states.  The study finds that employment and other economic activity in the biosciences has grown dramatically in the past three years, and states working to attract bioscience companies are learning that success means specializing in specific sub-sectors.

"With 749 establishments in four industry subsectors employing more than 36,700 people, the bioscience industry in New York continues to be of growing importance to the state," said Karin Duncker, Executive Director of the New York State Biotechnology Association (NYBA).  "With continued collaboration between industry, academia and government, NYBA will work to ensure this vital industry continues to thrive."

New York has demonstrated considerable commitment to key factors that appear to influence a state's ability to grow bioscience employment.  These include the degree of involvement by research institutions, available capital, access to facilities and equipment, a stable and supportive tax and regulatory environment and a long-term perspective. Among the state's major initiatives are:

-- Centers of Excellence program: The state's flagship program for R&D  

facilities is financed through the Empire State Development Corp. Each  

of the four centers will be funded between $35 million and $50 million  

over five years, to be leveraged between 2:1 and 3:1 by contributions  

from in-state companies. The Center focused on life sciences is the  

Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics in Buffalo - a partnership  

between the State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo, the New York  

Health Department's Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and the Hauptman  

Woodward Medical Research Institute.

-- New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research  

(NYSTAR): The life sciences are among seven technology fields  

recognized as strategic by NYSTAR. Since the last BIO report in 2001,  

NYSTAR has disbursed $95 million in one-time capital appropriations for  

facilities programs, including STAR Centers funded at approximately $15  

million each and ARCs (Advanced Research Centers) at the laboratory  

scale of $1 million to $5 million each. Governor Pataki and legislative  

leaders agreed on a five-year, multi hundred-million dollar capital  

funding project that allowed NYSTAR to add new capital funding  

programs, enabled the Empire State Development Corp. to finance the  

Governor's Centers of Excellence program, and created a pool from which  

legislators could direct support to regional initiatives in the life  

sciences known as Gen*NY*sis.

-- Gen*NY*sis (Generating Employment from New York State Science): This  

program has provided a significant number of grants to a broad range of  

capital projects, typically as part of a larger financing package being  

assembled by the sponsoring research or medical institution from  

federal, state or philanthropic sources. Gen*NY*sis funds have been  

committed to build a Biotechnology Center at SUNY Upstate Medical  

Center in Syracuse.

"Under Governor George E. Pataki's leadership, New York State has become a world leader in harnessing the strengths of its world-class biotechnology companies and academic research centers to create new innovations and technology," said Russell W. Bessette, M.D., Executive Director of the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR). "By providing the right mix of business and academic incentives, Governor Pataki is ensuring that New York will continue to build upon the significant biotechnology gains that have been achieved."

The study results can be accessed at www.bio.org/speeches/pubs/battelle2004.pdf.

About Study Sponsors  

The Battelle Memorial Institute is a private, non-profit organization recognized worldwide for technology development, management and commercialization.

SSTI is a national non-profit dedicated to improving government-industry programs that encourage economic growth through the application of science and technology.

Fleishman-Hillard is a global strategic communications firm whose Life Sciences Practice provides counsel to pharmaceutical and biotechnology leaders worldwide. Fleishman-Hillard is a part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC), a leading global marketing and corporate communications company.

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. For more information on BIO, visit our website at www.bio.org.

About NYBA  

NYBA is the collective voice of the biotechnology community in New York State, representing the industry to government, media, financial and biotechnology interests both within New York's borders and throughout the larger national and international biotechnology communities. NYBA's mission is two-fold: to aid and promote the growth of New York's biotech companies, and to help New York State realize its potential as a premier global center for the biotechnology industry. NYBA's membership comprises over 260 bioscience companies, world-class research institutions and related professional services. Through NYBA, biotechnology professionals are able to access the information, resources and assistance they need to make their ventures a success.

In 2003, NYBA announced a new promotional campaign to boost awareness of New York State's biotechnology cluster under the motto: The Cures Start Here(TM). The campaign's goal is to amplify the success the State has had and continues to have in discovering major medical advances and growing a vibrant biotech industry. NYBA promotes cooperation among academia, industry and both new and established companies. NYBA maintains a network of specialists available to offer assistance with start-up ventures, and provides established companies with new opportunities for collaborations. Through its public outreach efforts, NYBA works with the media, community groups and economic development associations to educate the broader public about the benefits of biotechnology. For more information on NYBA programs and initiatives, visit our website at www.nyba.org.

SOURCE  New York Biotechnology Association  

CO:  New York Biotechnology Association; Fleishman-Hillard International      Communications; Battelle Memorial Institute; State Science and Technology      Institute; New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic      Research; Omnicom Group Inc.

ST:  New York

SU:  SVY

Web site:  www.bio.org/speeches/pubs/battelle2004.pdf

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06/09/2004 08:02 EDT
   

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