City-Based Biotechnology and Genomic Initiatives

Ann Arbor, Michigan

This fall, MichBio will launch student chapters at nine state universities, to connect science and business majors to the state's biotech companies. The group is also expanding its year-old internship program, BioConnections, which provides life science businesses a subsidy to employ student interns. BioConnections is funded by a three-year, $1.1-million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp., that provided subsidies for 27 internships this summer. The program also helps place MBA students in startup companies where they develop business and marketing plans around new inventions. The work helps scientists who might not have extensive business experience.

Houston, Texas

BioHouston is a consortium of over 100 institutions with the goal of mobilizing the region's civic, business, medical, academic and political communities to establish the region in life sciences and biotechnology, and "not let Houston fall behind in the competition for economic leadership in biotechnology." The consortium focuses on best practices of established major life science centers to coordinate scientific and commercial efforts, attract capital and build facilities. Key bioscience initiatives and accomplishments in Houston include: Dr. Murad at UTMB is the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work with nitric oxide in signaling blood vessels to relax and widen; Baylor participated in the Human Genome project and generated one of the longest sequences at Baylor's Human Genome Sequencing Center; and Rice University houses the oldest nanotechnology research center in the nation - the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Life Sciences are an important component in The Indy Partnership, a privately funded, not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the economic growth of the central Indiana region. The Indy Partnership provides business services, including full service research, building and site selection support, access to capital and economic incentives and marketing. Indianapolis has a $13.6 billion global life sciences business with 900 private companies, employing 85,000 skilled workers, including the headquarters to Eli Lilly, RocheDiagnostics, Guidant and Dow agroSciences. One financing initiative is " Future Fund," a $70 million of private "pre-seed" capital through partnerships with venture capitalists, provides several tax incentives for businesses.

Marshfield, Wisconsin

Marshfield Clinic is one of the largest private, not-for-profit multi-specialty group medical practices in the nation with 40 centers and 700 physicians in more than 80 specialties and subspecialties. Marshfield Clinic's Personalized Medicine Research Project is designed to create a Personalized Medicine Research Database containing genetic information on individuals that can then be used for genomic research. The first project phase is funded by approximately $2.8 million in federal and state grants and awards, as well as a $1 million contribution from Marshfield Clinic. This phase includes project planning and blood collection. Marshfield Medical Research Foundation will seek additional research grants and philanthropic contributions to support subsequent phases. Marshfield Clinic is geographically close to Mayo and the University, such that this project poses significant competition.