Growing a Bio-based Economy

Recognizing the potential economic impact of biotech, nearly every state, most colleges and dozens of communities are developing programs to build bio-based economies. Everyone wants a piece of what may be the guiding field for industrial transformation over the next several decades. Is there enough bio for everyone? What strategies work for building bio-based economies? What approaches are states and localities taking, and what's working?

The answers to these key questions can't be covered in an hour. As a result, SSTI's first one-day educational workshop, Growing Your Own: Building Blocks for Bio-based Economies, will focus on how to support and nurture a strong life science industry. The event will be held October 1 in Dearborn, Michigan, immediately preceding SSTI's 6th Annual Conference. Registration at the full conference is not required to attend Growing Your Own: Building Blocks for Bio-based Economies.

SSTI has assembled a crack team for the day, giving participants intensive preparation for how their state, community, university, incubator, or program can better position itself to join the bio-revolution. Through the day, participants will go from a macro look at what defines a successful biotechnology region and end the day with by learning about the drug discovery process with a hands-on tour through one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical companies.

• The morning starts with a discussion with Jennifer Vey, Senior Research Analyst at the Brookings Institution. Ms. Vey was Brooking' project leader for Signs of Life: The Growth of Biotechnology Centers in the U.S., a widely regarded, thoroughly researched and somewhat controversial characterization of the nation's leading biotech centers. The report was covered in the June 14, 2002 issue of the SSTI Weekly Digest: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/2002/061402.htm#Brookings
• Participants will then examine the elements of successful bio-based economic development strategic planning with the leading authority on the subject: Walt Plosila, Vice President of Public Technology Management, Battelle Memorial Institute. Dr. Plosila has led the creation of life science strategies for a number of communities, regions and states across the country.
• SSTI's research director, Marianne Clarke, who authored the seminal State Government Initiatives in Biotechnology 2001, the first exhaustive survey of states' efforts to build bio-based economies, prepared for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). Ms. Clarke will share insights into the variety of approaches states and communities are implementing to support and grow biotechnology.
• After lunch, participants will dissect one of the largest and perhaps most envied life sciences initiatives launched in the country —  Michigan's. Raili Kerppola, Managing Director of the Michigan Life Sciences Corridor for Michigan Economic Development Corporation, will lead the exploration into this $1 billion initiative that already is bearing strong results for the state.

Most economic development, of course, takes place on a local or regional level. Therefore, much of the afternoon will be spent with key partners in other successful bio-based economic development taking place outside of the 51 centers identified in the Brookings report.

• Jack Sharp, President, Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana will present a look at the impressive results achieved through the unique approach the Shreveport region has developed to build a life science industry. The latest proof Biomed's approach is working: In June, a pharmaceutical product developer and manufacturer announced it will invest $25 million and create 175 high-wage jobs as the first tenant in the new $10 million Wet Lab Science Incubator located in inner-city Shreveport.
• Bob Skunda, President and CEO of the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park will share lessons learned on the research park's development and progress, which already includes 35 biotechnology companies, four VCU research institutes, four state laboratories and several not-for-profits, including the Virginia Biosciences Development Center. The park is adjacent to the medical sciences campus of Virginia Commonwealth University and the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals in Richmond. The seventh and eighth buildings in the park will open in early 2003.

The event concludes with an exploration of the drug discovery process with a tour of the R&D facility of Pfizer, Inc. With the purchase of Pharmacia Corp, Pfizer is Michigan's single largest bioscience employer. Combined, Pfizer and Pharmacia employ more than 10,000 people in their R&D facilities in Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo. Pfizer announced last November a $600-800 million expansion of its Ann Arbor facility.

More information on attending Growing Your Own: Building Blocks for Bio-based Economies is available by clicking on Pre-conference at: http://www.ssti.org/conference02.htm [expired]