Texas Governor Creates Biotech Council

Last week, Texas Governor Rick Perry announced the formation of the Governor's Council on Science and Biotechnology Development. The Council will strive to create a seamless system of innovation from the laboratory to the marketplace in rapidly developing areas of biotechnology — such as biopharmaceutical development, bioinformatics, genomics and nanotechnology.



Governor Perry described the Council's mission as one that will ultimately bring more research dollars to Texas higher education institutions, encourage university researchers to get products that advance the quality of life to the market, and create biotechnology jobs — and growing companies — across Texas.



Among its responsibilities, the 36-member Council will work to identify ways institutions of higher learning can coordinate efforts to attract federal research funds. Currently, Texas ranks sixth in research funds received from the National Institute of Health and third overall in research expenditures.



The Council also will develop a strategy to increase research and development expenditures in Texas, including both private and public funds. The Governor urged the council to identify ways to commercialize intellectual property that helps turn an idea into a marketable medicine or product.



Ashley Smith, a senior advisor on the governor's staff, will serve as chairman of the Council. Smith is a former member of the Texas House and serves as chairman of the Southeast Texas BioTechnology Park in Houston. He is also president and CEO of the Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research in Houston.



More information is available from: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/