NC Biotech Plan Ambitious

A new plan to grow North Carolina's biotech industry to 48,000 jobs by 2013 and 125,000 by 2023 was released earlier this month by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, a state-supported nonprofit organization. If implemented, the 108-page plan would cost up to $650 million over five years. That figure does not include the "to be determined" cost for 15 of the plan's 54 recommendations.

The 54 action steps span a variety of objectives:

• Enhance the ability of universities to conduct innovative research and transform new ideas into commercial opportunity;
• Encourage universities to support and reward faculty entrepreneurial activities;
• Support the attraction, retention and expansion of biotech companies, with an emphasis on biomanufacturing companies;
• Boost workforce training programs to prepare workers for jobs in research and biomanufacturing;
• Strengthen K-12 math and science education to help motivate and prepare future biotech workers;
• Spread the economic and societal benefits of biotechnology to all areas of the state; and,
• Address the societal and ethical issues of biotechnology research, development and application.

Many of the above strategies would require state investment, while others would ask for support from the state's biotech community. Three immediate priorities are targeted for state investment — recruit and expand biomanufacturing companies, create and attract biotech start-up companies, and develop the sector throughout North Carolina.

The state's commitment to biotech was jumpstarted last year when the Golden LEAF Foundation and industry pledged $64.5 million to help build a statewide network of biomanufacturing training centers (see the August 22, 2003, issue of the Digest). Other initiatives slated for funding include $75 million for the One North Carolina Fund and $50 million to re-commit to endowed faculty chairs and establish a general fund for faculty start-up packages.

Gov. Mike Easley charged the Biotechnology Center in June 2003 with developing a long-term strategic plan to help guide future state investments in biotech. Business, education and government leaders statewide collaborated in preparing the plan. Led by a steering committee co-chaired by former Govs. Jim Hunt and Jim Martin, more than 120 participants shared ideas for strengthening key areas essential to biotech development.

North Carolina generates about $3 billion in annual biotech revenue, with 150 companies employing 18,500 workers. The state is said to be among the top five in the U.S. for biotech science, commercialization and revenue. It also represents 10 percent of the total U.S. biotech industry, according to the strategic plan.

New Jobs Across North Carolina: A Strategic Plan for Growing the Economy Statewide through Biotechnology is available through the Biotechnology Center: http://www.ncbiotech.org/strategicplan