Biotechnology, life sciences and biomedical research – collectively known as bioscience – represent a major source of potential economic development, bringing with them high paying jobs, increased community revenues through taxes and growth in supporting business as well as an educated workforce.

Presentations begin at noon Wednesday and conclude Thursday at The Radisson Hotel. Wednesday’s speaker’s include Governor Manchin; Lou DeBone, President and COO of Mylan Laboratories Inc.; Patrick Kelly of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO); and Tom Witt, an economist from West Virginia University.

The line-up of speakers on Thursday includes: Woody Hydrick, a senior site planner for the bioscience industry, and representatives from West Virginia University, Marshall University, and the West Virginia Development Office. Presentations include current bioscience initiatives underway in the Mountain State and next steps that must occur in order to attract future development.

West Virginia Showing Steady Growth
West Virginia’s bioscience cluster has shown steady growth since 1990 with strong support from the state’s congressional delegation. In addition, the state – through its Economic Development Grant Committee program – earlier this year set aside $26.3 million for major bioscience projects. The projects include: $12.5 million for a biotechnology center at Marshall University; $10 million for a medical research facility at West Virginia University; $2.3 million for the National Biometric Security Project; and $1.5 million for the creation of a biotechnology incubator in South Charleston.

These projects join a handful of other significant initiatives:

• FBI Criminal Justice Identification Division in Clarksburg (biometrics)
• West Virginia University / National Science Foundation for Identification Technology Research (biometrics)
• I-79 Technology Park
• Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Science Center in Huntington - $40 million facility (biomedical research)
• Blanchette Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute in Morgantown - $10 million (biomedical research)
• Marshall University Biotechnology Development Center - $12 million

Future Growth Possible

West Virginia has at least two strengths in growing its bioscience field, according to conference presenter Woody Hydrick, a senior site planner within the industry.
Hydrick said generic pharmaceutical companies will have tremendous growth opportunity in the near future. “Many popular brand-name drugs will be coming off patent in the near future, and generic companies will benefit from this. West Virginia has a solid generic company in Mylan,” he said.

Hydrick also said graduates from West Virginia’s top two universities will be able to find quality bioscience jobs in West Virginia, keeping the premium talent at home. “It’s unusual for graduates of universities to have bioscience opportunities literally in their backyard; that is the case in West Virginia with Mylan and other bioscience clusters springing up in the state.”

Planning for the Future

“The goal of the conference is to provide West Virginia officials with the tools and information they need to begin a coordinated effort to attract new or expanded bioscience investment,” said Patrick Kelly, vice-president, for the national Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). Kelly says other states are doing the same planning, and this week’s conference will help West Virginia develop a plan to compete with those states for highly sought after bioscience jobs.

Conference Sponsors

The BioScience in West Virginia Conference is being organized by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and includes the following partners: Office of the Governor; Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO); Marshall University; Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce; Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.; National Venture Capital Association; United States Chamber of Commerce; West Virginia Chamber of Commerce; West Virginia Development Office; and West Virginia University Health Sciences Center.

For additional information, please contact George Manahan, (304) 343-2800