SSTI Digest

California voters will be at the forefront of a highly controversial issue this November when they are asked to decide on a $3 billion bond issue to fund stem cell research. The initiative, if passed, would provide $295 million annually to California researchers over the next 10 years. Under the proposal, priority for funding would be given to stem cell research that does not qualify for federal funding, and up to 10 percent could be used to build research facilities for nonprofit research organizations. The California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative is an implicit referendum on an executive order by President George Bush, according to a recent article from the Los Angeles Times. In 2001, Bush restricted the use of federal funds for stem cell research to a small number of cell colonies that already existed. Earlier this year, however, 206 members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed a letter urging President Bush to rescind his policy on stem cell research and allow for the use of existing embryos donated by couples from fertility clinics. Supporters say more than 400,…

The importance states are placing on the biosciences to fuel future economic growth is clearly evident in a monumental study released today at the annual international convention of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). Laboratories of Innovation: State Bioscience Initiatives 2004 is the most comprehensive analysis ever done to quantify the scope and impact of bioscience employment in all 50 states. Prepared for BIO by Battelle Memorial Institute and SSTI, the 450-page study examines programs and policies in each state to promote the development of bioscience companies. The state-by-state analysis, which expands on a 2001 study that looked at activities in 42 states, reveals states are learning that success means specializing in specific sub-sectors. Other key findings include: In 2004, 40 states specifically target the biosciences for development and all 50 states have economic development initiatives available to assist bioscience companies. State investments have grown and the variety of approaches used to stimulate growth of the bioscience sectors have increased…

Only a handful of metropolitan areas have the critical mass necessary to ensure sustainability of their local biotech communities, according to America’s Biotech and Life Science Clusters, a new study from the Milken Institute. At the top of the list is San Diego, followed closely by Boston and the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metro area. Only another nine are in the running, the report contends. According to the Institute’s 2004 Biotech Index, the top 12 metros (and their composite scores) are: 1. San Diego (100) 2. Boston (95.1) 3. Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill (92.5) 4. San Jose (87.8) 5. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett (83.8) 6. Washington, D.C. (79.4) 7. Philadelphia (76.5) 8. San Francisco (75.8) 9. Oakland (74.3) 10. Los Angeles-Long Beach (66.5) 11. Orange County, CA (54.1) 12. Austin-San Marcos (47.8) If life sciences (which includes pharmaceuticals and medical devices) is included in the measurements, Boston would rank first, followed by: San Diego (…

Anxiety over offshoring is an increasingly prevalent issue among Americans and a hot button issue for the upcoming presidential election. With concerns looming from all sectors, it can be difficult to assess which ones hold the most validity. According to a new report from the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), the real threat to offshoring is it could alter the occupational distribution of the economy and, particularly, squeeze the middle class. Understanding The Offshoring Challenge does not attempt to solve the complex issue of offshoring, according to PPI. Rather, it seeks to describe the phenomenon and its causes, to put it into proper prospective, and to define the economic stakes for Americans and policymakers. The main issues causing the angst, according to the report's author, Rob Atkinson, are the loss of particular jobs and its impact on specific individuals, and the weak nature of the U.S. employment market. Atkinson, the vice president of PPI, tries to resolve several myths regarding offshoring that are often misunderstood by the public. Both optimists and pessimists are making claims…

While the federal government supports fuel cell research, nearly every state across the country has taken a more active role in advancing the development and commercialization of fuel cell and renewable energy technologies, according to two recent reports from the North Carolina State University Solar Center. A web-based directory of more than 875 state and federal initiatives managed by the center helps prove that point. In order to expand the market for stationary fuel cells in the U.S., the center feels, it is important for industry leaders, policymakers and researchers to be aware of the existence, scope and depth of state-level incentives and polices. The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) was established in 1995 through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to track financial incentives, programs and policies to promote the use of renewable energy. Financial Incentives for Stationary Fuel Cells: A Report on State-Level Policy in the United States provides a summary overview of the state-level incentives and policies that are listed on DSIRE. Such incentives…

Overall retention rates for female engineering graduates has remained steady over the last few years, and according to the latest survey from the American Society for Engineering Education, a significant percentage of women are focusing on the less traditional fields of engineering. A New Look At Engineering reports that in 2003 women accounted for 20.4 percent of all Bachelor degrees in engineering, a slight decline from 2002, which reported 20.9 percent. In 2001, women represented 19.9 percent of engineering graduates, a slight decrease from 20.8 percent in 2000. Tennessee State University had the largest percentage of female engineering graduates with 41.6 percent, followed closely by Alabama A&M University with 41.2 percent. The report also indicates women accounted for 22.3 percent of all Master’s degrees and 17.4 percent of all Doctoral degrees in engineering. Of the many fields of discipline within engineering, the highest percentage of female graduates was found in environmental engineering with 42.1 percent. Biomedical engineering graduates were the next highest with 40.4 percent…

To commemorate its 75th Anniversary, the Kellogg Foundation along with the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) is funding a project to foster entrepreneurship across rural regions of the country. The project, Entrepreneurship Development Systems for Rural America, will provide grants to support traditional areas of interest including health, food systems and rural development, youth and education, philanthropy and volunteerism, as well as new opportunities that build on existing programs. Under the initiative, four projects will be selected for funding of up to $2 million each to conduct research on the state of rural entrepreneurship development and to assist in identifying statewide and regional collaboratives that show potential for creating Rural Entrepreneurship Development Systems. According to CFED, these collaboratives will provide effective practices in building development systems that integrate policy, education, training, technical assistance, financing, networks, culture and social entrepreneurship strategies. To be eligible, applicants must be a private or governmental…

Industrial research expenditures in the U.S. had a record single-year decline in 2002, according to the latest National Science Foundation (NSF) Survey of Industrial Research and Development. An inflation-adjusted decline of $8.6 billion was the largest-ever reported since the survey began in 1953. The 2002 tally, when measured in current dollars, also wins the ignoble distinction of reflecting the largest single-year absolute and percentage reduction at $7.7 billion and 3.9 percent, respectively. A 4 percent constant dollar increase in research spending by nonmanufacturing industries moderated the 11.7 percent drop posted by the manufacturing sectors. The dismal 2002 results follow record-high expenditures set as recently as 2000. The NSF Issue Brief presenting the first look at the survey results is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/infbrief/nsf04320/start.htm

One of the most critical elements needed for a tech-based economy is a strong higher education system that supplies a source of research ideas, new technologies and a skilled workforce. Studies have shown that individuals with college degrees earn more money, obtain better jobs, pay more taxes, and are more apt to perform volunteer work. Given higher education's important role, several states have been re-examining how higher education can play a larger role in their economy. SSTI highlights some of those efforts below. Colorado Colorado enacted a higher education initiative earlier this month, becoming the first state to offer college vouchers. Gov. Bill Owens signed Senate Bill 189 into law, which provides individual vouchers of $2,400 per year for Colorado students to attend public colleges and universities beginning in the fall of 2005. The bill also offers up to $1,200 for low-income students to attend one of three non-public institutions in the state. Recent reports from the Associated Press, however, indicate that budget restraints may force the amount to be cut to from $2,400 to $…

To encourage innovation in health care and speed the development of new medical technologies, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced last week it is forming an internal task force to weigh new ideas and promote new solutions. The task force will involve HHS’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health. Department Secretary Tommy Thompson has charged the task force with developing steps to speed the availability of new medical technologies such as drug and biological products and medical devices. “This task force will look for opportunities across the department to promote speedier access to new innovative medical technologies that can improve people’s health and save lives,” Secretary Thompson said. “Often, a new technology must clear several hurdles in different parts of HHS before it can reach consumers. By better coordinating this process across HHS, we can streamline the way we do business and make safe, effective medical technologies more quickly and readily…

Advocates for deregulating Kentucky's broadband industry argued doing so would result in increased rural access to high speed Internet services. They'll have the chance to prove it with Gov. Ernie Fletcher's signature this week on deregulation legislation, HB 627. The governor has promoted the rural broadband initiative since taking office in December. According to the Progressive Policy Institute, Kentucky currently ranks 41st in the nation in broadband deployment. Improving broadband access also has been a priority of connectKentucky, a three-year-old public-private policy partnership between the Kentucky Office of the New Economy, private industry, Kentucky's universities, and the Center for Information Technology Enterprise. Along with the bill signing, BellSouth Corp., whose president serves as co-chair of connectKentucky, announced it was expanding DSL Internet service to 59 more Kentucky communities between now and the end of the year. "Broadband is essential to building a more competitive local economy," Gov. Fletcher said. "In this bipartisan effort to encourage…

Financial success for any start-up tech firm more often depends on adequate financing and proper management than the specific technology, experts say. Two tech-based economic development organizations in Pittsburgh have formed a new alliance to offer entrepreneurial life science firms with an eye toward greater sustainability and profitability. The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG), a partnership to put the region's life sciences industry on a fast track for growth, and Idea Foundry, a nonprofit organization that helps entrepreneurs transform their ideas into sustainable businesses, entered into a joint funding agreement for early stage medical device companies. Under the agreement, PLSG will participate in Idea Foundry's transformation fellowship application process to jointly determine if start-up company applicants are viable business ideas for the partnership. Upon approval, PLSG and the Idea Foundry will jointly fund and provide complimentary development assistance. The Greenhouse will provide its funding through its affiliate, the Pittsburgh Biomedical Development…