Study: Md. 'ahead of the game' at funding new research
BYLINE: Scott Dance
Maryland is a national leader in linking publicly funded research with private product development to stimulate the economy, according to a study released last month.
Investing in Innovation, a report by the Pew Center on the States and the National Governors Association, highlighted Maryland for its deliberate, finely tuned stem cell research program and other initiatives that encourage commercialization of technology developed in government-funded labs.
"You have this kind of interesting synergy going on between the applications and the commercialization of research, especially in biotech, where Maryland is a leader," said Heike Mayer, an assistant professor of urban affairs at Virginia Tech who was a consultant in the study.
"Maryland is really strategic in looking to the future to invest in research that has economic growth potential," Mayer added.
The report highlighted the Maryland Industrial Partnership Program as a model for bridging public research and private development. The program, a project of the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute at the University of Maryland, College Park, funds public-private partnerships in which industry leaders and university faculty co-author grant applications for research and development projects.
Martha Connolly, the program's director, said she thinks the state has a strong résumé in technology transfer because "we have a lot of the raw materials, which is the basic research going on in the state." The program has produced $12 billion in sales for its top participating companies, she said.
MIPS announced $3.6 million in funding for 23 research and development projects Aug. 14.
According to the study, Maryland also has built a strong niche in stem cell research as a consistent supporter of what is called "translational research," which has clear clinical applications, and outside-the-box research approaches that are unlikely to receive federal funding.
Companies that have benefited most from those strengths include MedImmune Inc. and its drug Synagis, Mayer said.
The General Assembly and governors Robert Ehrlich and Martin O'Malley had committed $15 million and $23 million in stem cell research in 2006 and 2007, respectively. The Maryland Stem Cell Commission, a division of the Maryland Technology Development Corp., or Tedco, administers and awards the money.
Tedco also administers other state and federal investments in commercialization of technology research that have created an economic impact at a 27:1 ratio to the amount of state input.
Mayer said support from leadership in the Statehouse and commission has been instrumental in bringing Maryland "ahead of the game."
While there isn't as much money or advanced research in the state as there is in states like California, it will be important for the state to continue consistent investment in bioscience research.