State Biotech Policy

The 2012 BIO International Convention featured a broad array of top-level speakers, addressing critical global challenges and the top issues in biotechnology. Hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the event drew 16,505 industry leaders from 65 countries.

At a time when the global economy struggles to recover from a severe recession and uncertainty remains regarding future economic growth, bioscience industry development is generating significant attention both globally and at home.

State governments in 2011 continued to see regional economic growth in the life sciences industry and in 2012 will increasingly focus attention on technology transfer and venture funding as mechanisms to increase private sector innovation related activities within their jurisdictions. Realizing that entrepreneurship is a key ingredient in economic development, states and localities are undertaking the support of programs that assist high technology businesses, and that capitalize on state regional presence of universities and federal laboratories.

In this global economy, nearly every competitor has access to big breakthroughs in technology and to the equipment and capital to produce standardized products, but those regions that possess the human capital, with its insights, competencies, and experience will have the competitive advantage.

Tracy Cooley talks to Renee Winsky about biotech in Maryland and the upcoming  BIO International Convention  in Washington, DC.

You might have heard that the Prince of Wales, just days after hosting the Royal Wedding, paid us a visit here in Washington.  Prince Charles, a long-time organic food advocate and self-described environmentalist, was here to speak at a Washington Post symposium on the Future of Food.