"This study should inform policy makers and industry leaders who want to help the biosciences continue its dramatic growth throughout the United States," said Carl B. Feldbaum, president of BIO. "Our industry is proud of its important contribution to our communities' economic well being."

While there are many reasons why states are focusing on the biosciences, the recognition that biosciences cuts across manufacturing, services and research and is not limited merely to medicine or agriculture appears to be a significant factor. States and regions that are promoting bioscience development are focusing on the activities best suited for their area.

For example, North Dakota is focusing on bioprocessing in value-added agriculture, while Missouri is seeking to become a leading center in plant and animal health. States such as Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Utah are focused on medical devices, while others are focused on research and testing.

Factors that appear to influence a state's ability to grow bioscience employment include the degree of involvement by research institutions, available capital, access to facilities and equipment, a stable and supportive tax and regulatory environment, and a long-term perspective. That long-term perspective is reflected in a renewed emphasis on science and math education in every state, including programs throughout the K-12 school years aimed at preparing students for bioscience careers.

Among recent initiatives are Connecticut's creation of a $5 million BioSeed Fund, which invests up to $500,000 in early stage companies and Kentucky's $5 million Natural Product Fund. North Carolina created a Life Sciences Industry Revenue Bonding Authority to finance biomanufacturing equipment and lab fit-outs.

Some state programs already have a record of successes in assisting bioscience companies. Maryland's Industrial Partnership Program helped support the development of MedImmune's $1.6 billion SynagisŪ, which prevents a respiratory disease in infants, and Martek Bioscience's additive for infant formulas, which helped the company generate $114 million in revenue in 2003.

Partly as a result of economic development programs, 15 states have at least 5 percent employment in at least one biosciences subsector, and 24 states have at least 3 percent employment in one or more subsectors. Twelve states-California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Caroline, Tennessee, and Virginia-have both large employment bases in a bioscience subsector and are specialized in at least one industry subsector.

"The states realize that the biosciences have the potential to generate vibrant economies," said Walt Plosila, vice president, Technology Partnership Practice, for Battelle, one of the study leaders. "What is exciting is that many states appear to be setting realistic and achievable development goals."

The biosciences incorporate a range of industry sectors that rely on insights into the way living things work. The five major subsectors are:

• Agricultural feedstock and chemicals
• Drugs and pharmaceuticals
• Medical devices and equipment
• Research and testing
• Academic health centers, research hospitals and research institutes.

The study was funded by Battelle, BIO and Fleishman-Hillard Inc. A downloadable copy of the report can be found at www.bio.org.

Battelle is a global leader in science and technology. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, it develops and commercializes technology and manages laboratories for government and commercial customers. Battelle, with the national labs that it manages or co-manages, oversees 16,000 staff members and conducts $3 billion in annual research and development. Battelle innovations include the development of the office copier machine (Xerox), pioneering work on compact disc technology, medical technology advancements and fiber optic technologies.

For more information, visit www.battelle.org or contact Katy Delaney, Media Relations Manager, at (614) 424-5544 or delaneyk@battelle.org.

SSTI is a national non-profit dedicated to improving government-industry programs that encourage economic growth through the application of science and technology.

Fleishman Hillard is a global strategic communications firm whose Life Sciences Practice provides counsel to pharmaceutical and biotechnology leaders worldwide.

BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers, and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial, and environmental biotechnology products.