Swiss biotech industry VC flow at E83 million in 2003

According to a new study, the Swiss biotech industry attracted SFr 130 million in venture capital in 2003, compared to SFr 148 million francs in 2002 and SFr 106 million in 2001. In 2002 and 2003 Switzerland ranked third in Europe in terms of venture capital, which flowed into the biotech industry. The first Swiss Biotech Report was prepared by E&Y, SWX Swiss Exchange, and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, the Innovation Promotion Agency KTI/CTI and Internet portal Swiss Biotech.

By the end of 2003 the Swiss biotech industry consisted of 227 companies in total, where 88 were biotech suppliers and 139 core biotech companies. In terms of number of core biotech companies, Switzerland is ranked #6 in Europe and #9 worldwide since 1998. About one-third of all Swiss core biotech companies have been founded before 1995. By the end of 2003, the industry employed more than 13,000 people. In 2002 and 2003 Switzerland ranked third in Europe regarding venture capital flown into the country. Regarding its company size the Swiss biotech industry can be split up into three main categories: the six public companies with globally active and well-known biotech leaders such as Serono, Actelion and Berna Biotech and about 20 medium-sized companies with 50 to 100 employees (many of those companies more or less ready for IPO). All remaining companies are still rather small with less than 50 employees. Geographically, the majority of Swiss biotech companies are located in one of the three hotbeds in the Arc Lémanique area or in the regions of Basel or Zurich.

The Swiss industry is strong in pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Consequently 86 percent of the 139 Swiss core biotech companies are active in the field of red biotech (human & animal health) and only 8 percent in grey biotech (environmental & industry) and 6 percent in green biotech (agro & nutrition). Almost 50 percent of the Swiss core biotech companies are active in receptor biology/signaling, immunology or screening. Interestingly, the first two areas are those scientific fields where, according to the citation index, Switzerland has the top research position worldwide. This fact indicates that Swiss scientists have successfully founded their own biotech companies and are now transforming their scientific know-how into biotech business.
Source: http://www.swissbiotechassociation.ch/

Blueprint for Enhancing Life Sciences in Iowa (USA)

To promote and enhance the activities of life sciences in Iowa in the US, the Iowa Biotechnology Association has prepared a blueprint for "Enhancing the Development of Iowa's Life Science Industry—an Industry Perspective". The Blueprint defines what the industry views as life sciences, why the life sciences should be important to Iowa, identifies many of the vital assets found in Iowa, briefly looks at growth opportunities and draws on industry focus group responses for issues and policies for the future. This document will help shape the key areas for the association in the coming three years and will offer public policymakers a concise summary of industry perspectives.

Today, there are more than 200 companies, such as Garst Seed, Monsanto, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, and Wacker Biochem Corp., involved with some aspect of life sciences doing business from Iowa locations. Nationally, Iowa has the 15th largest concentration of biotechnology companies in the US, and is a hotbed of new investments. The New England Journal of Medicine ranks Iowa in the top five most productive states in terms of biomedical research publications. And in annual surveys of the best US hospitals, US News & World Report ranks the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics among the top 10 in the country in several specialty areas.

The State of Iowa historically has been very supportive of long-term initiatives in the life sciences. State support was critical in the development of the Center for Biocatalysis & Bioprocessing (CBB) at the University of Iowa and the Office of Biotechnology and Plant Science Institute at Iowa State University. Over the last several years, the CBB has evolved into a model for successful university-industry partnerships, as evidenced by its relationships with firms such as EnzyMed and Quorum Sciences. At Iowa State, the Plant Science Institute has a goal to partner with private companies and individuals for a $100 million investment over the next 10 years.
Source: http://www.iowabiotech.com/

MichBio launches BioConnections program

MichBio, Michigan's life sciences' industry association has introduced bioconnections.org, a new web site that makes it easy for Michigan's life science industry employers and job seekers to find out and participate in the program.

"MichBio launched the new web site so that life science companies can apply online to determine funding eligibility and then assist them in their job creation and hiring process," said Michael Witt, executive director, MichBio.

BioConnections is Michigan's response to finding qualified candidates with specialized skills to fill positions in the life sciences industry. BioConnections is a collaborative program of industry partners including the STATPROBE Onsite, a full-service staffing firm, Search Masters International (SMI), a scientific and executive retained search firm, the Washtenaw Development Council, the lead economic development organization for the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti area and BioSpace, a web resource for jobs, news and information for the life sciences market. The BioConnections program is funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and is administered by MichBio, the state association for life sciences companies.

The web site offers details on the five programs of BioConnections that offer subsidies to eligible Michigan life science companies: internship placements; general staff recruitment; executive search services; custom HR consulting; and a discounted job posting site. In addition to the new Web site, bioconnections.org, the program had been conducting several new promotions in March including: summer internships, BioSpace job postings, HR consultation and business help.
Source: http://michbio.org/

New York State unveils Excell-NY Economic Development Program

Senate majority leader, Joseph L Bruno, unveiled the Senate's new Excell-NY Economic Development Program and job creation plan in Albany. The Excell-NY program is the result of research and recommendations collected by the Senate's NextGen Task Force, chaired by Senator Dean Skelos (R-C, Rockville Centre).

The NexGen Task Force worked closely with key industry leaders including New York Biotechnology Association (NYBA) and its members throughout the state, holding public hearings to identify and address the challenges the industry faces. An ad hoc plan was defined as a result of the hearings to turn new ideas and technologies into successful business ventures, resulting in increase of employment opportunities. The Excell-NY plan stems from the continuation of the Gen*NY*sis program and the Governor's Centers of Excellence initiatives.

According to NYBA 2003 data, there are 101 biotech companies that call New York home, employing over 6,300 people. This is a 13 percent growth in the number of companies and a 17 percent growth in the number of employees over the past two years. These companies spent over $560 million dollars on research and development, had total expenditures upwards of $2billion dollars, and revenues of $1.6 billion dollars, a 33 percent increase in two years.

The task force felt that for any state to lead in the biotech industry race, strong commitment and support of programs that drive cluster development must occur. New York State has already recognized the potential of the biotechnology industry, and has started to make investments in its future.

NYBA wants to help focus that effort, and believes if those investments are made, New York can realize the goal of a world-class biotechnology industry within its borders. Some of its recommendations include:

• Target investments to areas with the greatest concentration of "biotech success factors", creating three clusters in New York State: downstate (Westchester/NYC/LI), western NY (Buffalo/Rochester), and capital (Albany region).

• Site new incubators in areas of high concentration of research institutions (downstate: NYC)

• Site science/tech parks near to incubators, and in regions where current industry strength is already present. (Downstate: Westchester & LI, western: Rochester, capital: Albany)

• Site manufacturing in areas of land and labor availability, and where there is a history of manufacturing. (Buffalo, Capital Region)

"Excell-NY is a comprehensive plan that will serve as a catalyst for innovation and job growth," Senator Bruno said. "Our plan will promote venture capital investments in emerging companies, provide information and assistance related to technology transfer, private business development and employee training and include targeted tax reductions, Empire Zone reforms and other actions that will strengthen the economy. In addition, we are proposing other tax reduction initiatives to spur job creation, make New York more economically competitive and improve our quality of life."
Source: http://www.nyba.org/