Biotech South

Baltimore/Washington/Northern Virginia Region Unseats San Diego as Biotech Hotbed

The first global report done by Ernst & Young shows that the Mid-Atlantic region of the American South has jumped to third place in race for biotech companies. Ernst & Young describes "biotech" companies as those that are involved in drug discovery. According to the report, the Baltimore/Washington/Northern Virginia region is home to 116 biotech companies, a total that unseats San Diego for third place in the U.S. The region trails only New England (Boston area) and the San Francisco Bay region in biotech development. Worldwide, the report states that 4,284 companies are engaged in drug discovery with a total employment of almost 200,000.

Pine Bluff Task Force to Continue Efforts for Arsenal Vaccine Facility

Jim Bacon, P.E., of Pine Bluff, Ark., has been selected to chair a newly formed task force that will spearhead local efforts aimed at landing a major national vaccine production facility for the Pine Bluff Arsenal. Formation of the Pine Bluff Vaccine Production Task Force was announced in June by Jack McNulty, chairman of the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County, which has been working since 1995 in conjunction with local and state business leaders to promote the need for such a government facility and the suitability of the Arkansas location.

A federal task force was formed after the Gulf War to determine actions necessary to provide U.S. military personnel with adequate protection from chemical or biological attacks. At the time, it was suggested that a government-owned, contractor-operated vaccine production facility could be built for production of vaccines and related medicinal products.

A subsequent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers analysis concluded in 1994 that the Pine Bluff Arsenal was by far the most cost-effective site for a new vaccine manufacturing facility, estimated then to cost over $200 million for facility construction. Federal budget constraints during the ensuing years stymied the project's advancement.

The Department of Defense has been relying on the private sector for production of vaccines to protect military personnel. However, the proposed government-owned vaccine facility has received renewed interest in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks and the resulting expanded need for protecting the entire American public from potential chemical and biological threats.

The vaccine plant, as designed in late 1993, would provide between 100 and 200 high-paying jobs and boost Arkansas' growing biotechnology industry, particularly in Jefferson County where a high technology park -- The Bioplex -- is planned for development.

Isolagen Prospective Sites Down to Three

Houston-based Isolagen has narrowed its site search down to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Houston and Philadelphia for a new lab facility that is projected to employ 500. The company has received an incentive proposal from Metroplex cities and is expected to make a decision on the site in the next 90 days. While Isolagen's Web site is under construction, therefore giving us no information on the company, we did find that "Isolagen" is an collagen that is derived from your own tissues. It is used to expand the size of lips and eliminate wrinkles in the skin.

Texas Biotech Fund Elusive

One year ago Texas politicos passed a $45 million investment capital initiative to fund new biotech starts. To date, none of the money has been appropriated, frustrating potential biotech industry concerns and politicians in the Lone Star State. The problem apparently centers on a legislative oversight in the language of the passed bill. Further legislative action must be taken before the funds can be allocated.

Kentucky Governor Says Biotech is State's Future

While touring one of only three biotech manufacturing plants in Kentucky, Gov. Paul Patton said in June that much of the state's economic future resides in growing the state's biotech industry. Patton was a guest speaker at BIO 2002 in Toronto in June. Kentucky has announced a new tax break for venture capital investors and a new Web site, biokentucky.com. In an unrelated story, Martek Biosciences is spending nearly $15 million to triple the size of its manufacturing facility in Winchester, Ken. The Maryland-based company makes a nutritional oil that is used in baby formula and baby foods, among other products.

Texas Governor Names Biotech Council

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has named 28 people to the Governor's Council on Science and Biotechnology Development. The individuals range from scientists to life science entrepreneurs to university chancellors. Perry wants to make Texas a premier location for the life sciences industry. Perry said publicly he would like to pass other well-known successful biotech states such as California, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York and North Carolina in a short period of time.