SSTI Digest

Many states and communities across the country want to be leaders in the much anticipated bio-based economic boom. Even more companies are hoping to create the next great multi-billion-dollar pill. For a few firms, that push for profits may be too great, replacing the original focus on human health or environmental issues. Last week, in response to concerns about the impact of pharmaceutical industry sponsorship on research outcome, quality and publication bias, the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates called for the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a comprehensive registry for all clinical trials conducted in the U.S. The new registry would ensure that trials with negative as well as positive results are publicly available, by providing every clinical trial with a unique identification and ensuring publication or placement on an electronic database of all results from registered trials. The new policy, approved at the AMA’s annual meeting, also calls for the AMA to urge institutional review boards (at hospitals, universities and medical centers…

Scientific research, technological development and innovation are the heart of a knowledge-based economy, and in order to strengthen this sector in Europe, the European Union’s (EU) research budget needs to be doubled, according to a new plan released by the Commission of The European Communities. Science and Technology, the Key to Europe’s Future offers guidelines suggested by research commissioner Philippe Busquin and other scientists and researchers. In March 2002, the EU set the objective of increasing the European research effort to 3 percent of the European GDP by 2010, an effort referred to as the Lisbon strategy. To provide a response to the objectives of the strategy, the Commission initiated a plan focusing on key topic in future research efforts. The plan argues that the cost of research continues to skyrocket, in turn requiring the current budget of 10 billion Euros ($12 billion U.S.) per year to be doubled to extend through 2013. To enhance the impact of European research, the budget increase should be allocated according to three principles, centered around six objectives, the…

One of the more interesting uses of funds from the national tobacco settlement with the states, Virginia officials announced a $12 million economic development and broadband technology infrastructure initiative to serve more than 25 towns, cities and counties of rural Virginia. The Regional Backbone/Roots of Progress Initiative (RBI) will create 700 miles of new fiber optic cable that will connect five cities, 20 counties, 56 industrial parks and provide high-speed Internet access to nearly 700,000 citizens and more than 19,000 businesses throughout Virginia at a 20 percent reduction in high-speed Internet access costs. Construction is scheduled to begin in October and expected to be completed by January 2006. The RBI will allow an open-access advanced broadband network to provide wholesale dark fiber and managed high-speed bandwidth services to rural Virginia where services do not currently exist. The RBI will also bring increased competition for Competitive Local Exchange Carriers and Internet Service Providers as well as other competitive carriers, which should result in lower costs…

Convergence Group Formed in Silicon Valley Joint Venture: Silicon Valley, the lead regional economic development organization for the well known valley, helped announce the formation of the Technology Convergence Consortium. Outlined in Joint Venture's Next Silicon Valley strategic plan, the new group's purpose will be to provide a forum enabling the valley's entrepreneurs to take advantage of the interdisciplinary nature of the fields of biotechnology and nanotechnology. Florida Losing Regional Tech Council Ten years since its creation, a regional nonprofit tech council serving the Orlando area will officially cease operations in October. Launched in 1995 as an initiative of Enterprise Florida, Central Florida Innovation Corporation's mission has been to create and build high wage, high growth potential companies in Central Florida. In recent years, CFIC has operated in a self-sufficient financial structure, without dependence on government grants or charitable contributions. Two Trade Associations Created in Georgia More than two years in…

Two new posting were added to SSTI's online Job Corner this week. Brief descriptions are provided below. More information is available at: http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm Economic Development Administration -- Director of Strategic Initiatives The Economic Development Administration, within the U.S. Department of Commerce, seeks applicants for a director for the office of strategic initiatives. Based at EDA headquarters in Washington, D.C., the director will develop and manage national research and evaluation projects that determine the causes of economic distress, assist in formulating and implementing new and innovative economic development tools and programs, and to evaluate the effectiveness and economic impact of economic development programs, projects, and techniques. Applications from U.S. citizens will be accepted until July 1. Maine Technology Institute -- Director and President The Maine Department of Economic & Community Development is seeking candidates to fill the position of Director of the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) and serve as its President.…

Former Michigan Governor John Engler, also chairman of SSTI's Board of Directors, has been chosen to serve as president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers. He will assume his new position on Oct. 1, 2004. Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism commissioner W. Glenn Cornell has announced his retirement, effective June 30. Craig Lesser is Gov. Sonny Perdue's recommendation as Cornell's successor. Brian Mefford will assume the position of president and CEO of Kentucky's Center for Information Technology Enterprise. The NanoBusiness Alliance has named Sean Murdock to serve as its new executive director. Baiju Shah is the new president of the Cleveland's BioEnterprise Corp., succeeding Matt Jennings. The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology has named Sheri Stickley interim executive director, following the resignation of William Sibley. Pete Tartline has resigned his position as president and CEO of the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania. Tina Van Camp has been named the…

Former Michigan Governor John Engler, also chairman of SSTI's Board of Directors, has been chosen to serve as president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers. He will assume his new position on Oct. 1, 2004.

Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism commissioner W. Glenn Cornell has announced his retirement, effective June 30. Craig Lesser is Gov. Sonny Perdue's recommendation as Cornell's successor.

Brian Mefford will assume the position of president and CEO of Kentucky's Center for Information Technology Enterprise.

The NanoBusiness Alliance has named Sean Murdock to serve as its new executive director.

Baiju Shah is the new president of the Cleveland's BioEnterprise Corp., succeeding Matt Jennings.

The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology has named Sheri Stickley interim executive director, following the resignation of William Sibley.