Biotech South

West Virginia Announces Biometrics Projects

In the fall quarter, W.V. Gov. Bob Wise announced two major biometrics projects at the Biometric Consortium Conference. The National Biometric Security Project, to be established in Morgantown, will facilitate the application of positive human identification for the security of the civil national infrastructure in direct response to any terrorist threat. The second announcement also involves security. Ethentica by Security First Corp., will develop a biometrics center of excellence in Fairmont, W.V. The company develops and commercializes a variety of biometric security technologies, products and services that couple biometric recognition devices with a distributed security-based software system.

Economic Stimulus Plan for North Carolina Biotech Industry

The Golden Leaf Foundation, formed out of North Carolina's big tobacco company settlement, plans to use up to $85 million to advance the Tar Heel State's bioscience and biotechnology sectors. The foundation will invest in biotech companies developing or manufacturing products in the state. Officials with the foundation expect the investment will result in $350 million in new investments in North Carolina.

Big Deal in the Triad

Atlanta-based Kinetic Biosystems has picked Greensboro, N.C., for a biomanufacturing facility that could create as many as 500 jobs. The potential $40 million deal hinges on financing provided by local and state officials. The planned manufacturing facility would develop processes for manufacturing clinical-trial quantities of drugs using monoclonal antibodies. The antibodies target functions in cells, thereby avoiding side effects common with simple medications. The facility would also serve as the headquarters of the BioPharma division of Kinetic.

State of Tennessee Grant for Memphis Biotech Research Park

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development recently announced a $750,000 grant to the City of Memphis for infrastructure improvements for a biotech research park in Midtown Memphis. The Memphis Biotech Foundation is in the process of demolishing the old Baptist Hospital in order to build new research facilities there.

Pilot Therapeutics Relocates to South Carolina

Pilot Therapeutics, a four-year-old bio-pharma company founded in Winston-Salem, is relocating its 14-employee firm from the Triad region to Charleston, S.C. The company will invest $10 million on two facilities in Charleston that are expected to employ about 200. The company makes an asthma medication that is scheduled for commercial distribution in 2003.

Missouri Governor Announced Support for Life Sciences Project in Kansas City

Missouri Gov. Bob Holden announced in September the release of $1.7 million in planning money for a new Health Sciences building at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and pledged support for state assistance to develop a Kansas City Center for Technology. Missouri already is home to two of the world's top research institutions in life sciences: the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City and the Danforth Plant and Life Sciences Center in St. Louis. The proposed Center for Technology in Kansas City would complement the work being done at the Nidus Center and the Center for Emerging Technologies that are thriving in St. Louis. In addition, a new life sciences building is under construction at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Spec Biotech Space Going Up in Baltimore

A group of Baltimore area real estate and economic development leaders is planning to construct as much as 50,000 square feet of speculative office, laboratory and warehouse space designed specifically for the biotech industry. Biostructure Development LLC is considering a site at John Hopkins Medical Center in East Baltimore and one at the Seton Industrial Park in Northwest Baltimore as possible sites for the biotech project.

National Institutes of Health Drives Maryland Bioscience Sector

About one-in-four of all Maryland bioscience entrepreneurs once worked for the National Institutes of Health located in Bethesda. A study found that 57 founders of the 276 Maryland bioscience companies have ties to NIH. Other bioscience entrepreneurs in Maryland began their careers at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland.

Biotechnology Campus Slated for Downtown Atlanta?

Atlanta leaders are discussing the development of a biotechnology campus downtown near the site of Grady Memorial Hospital. The task force charged with initiating the project has already laid some of the groundwork for the project. The campus would provide new lab and research space for growing companies in the bioscience sectors.