Biotechnology
Among her first actions after taking office, Governor Minner created the Strategic Economic Council to advise her on statewide economic development strategy. The Council was formed in response to the slowing national and local economy. In choosing the Council's members, the Governor looked to leaders in industry, government and education, and asked DuPont's Stacey Mobley to serve as chair.
Her charge to the Council was to identify ways to keep and grow existing jobs in Delaware, while identifying the next logical evolution for Delaware's economy.
The Council's subcommittee on Biotechnology and Agriculture, of which I am a member, has made several recommendations that could play a significant part in the future of the First State's economy. The Council's report, which will be presented to Governor Minner in the coming weeks, addresses steps to support research in life sciences, help farmers be profitable, and develop Delaware's educational resources - all linked to biotechnology.
Governor Minner is interested in biotechnology because it is a key part of Delaware's existing economy and promises to be a substantial part of the future. With exciting applications in agriculture and health care, biotechnology has tremendous economic potential. Delaware is well positioned to be a major participant in this growing, knowledge-based enterprise.
The State has had a significant private and academic involvement in the life sciences for some time. Today, Agilent, AstraZeneca and DuPont have created a solid foundation in Delaware. More than 35 smaller entities, such as NaPro Biotherapeutics and Quest, also are involved in biotechnology in Delaware, and have created a tremendous potential for growth.
That activity isn't surprising. Our state has a 200-year history of scientific discovery and innovation. It has a large, scientifically competent workforce and it lies in the middle of the largest life science corridor in the United States and perhaps the world; a corridor that runs from Washington through Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and into Massachusetts.
An idea took shape a few years ago under the Carper administration, articulating a compelling vision of Delaware as a life sciences center that rallied the strengths of the private sector, academia and the State. The Delaware Biotechnology Institute in Newark was created two years ago through a combination of state, University and private funding. Its job is to focus the various efforts to attract talent, develop technology and foster spin-off business opportunities. The ongoing effort of the Institute will help Delaware maintain and grow its position as a significant player in this economic development opportunity.
A lot has happened already. A $20 million investment by the State has been leveraged into a total of $100 million. Included in that total is a recent grant awarded to Delaware's colleges and universities from the National Institutes of Health, which will provide nearly $6 million for biomedical research. Research groups like Fraunhofer and U.S. Quality Life Corp. have made the decision to establish a presence in Delaware.
The potential and promise of growing the companies already here and attracting new ones is tremendous, and Delaware has the history and the environment to support these initiatives. Research and development in life sciences has gone on in Delaware for years. Delaware is well positioned to be an engine of economic growth in years to come.
If Delaware develops the opportunity before us, what could we reasonably expect in five years? The picture is not of smokestacks but of science, education and jobs. Delaware's large biotechnology companies would continue as anchors to add high-value jobs in our state. In turn, smaller pharmaceutical companies will be attracted to Delaware's science core group and quality lab and office space. Agriculture will benefit through the introduction of new, high-value crops and products, such as soy diesel or proteins and enzymes from plants used in health care and industry. Delaware's financial sector will benefit from information technology developments pioneered in biotech, and Delaware's institutions of higher education will experience a growing reputation as centers for academic excellence and research in life sciences.
There is great potential for new, high-paying jobs as a result of collaborations between Delaware Biotechnology Institute and the business cluster opportunity at Delaware Technology Park. Studies show that for every dollar of public investment in such science/business clusters there has been an economic return of five dollars. By attracting new companies to join those already here, Delaware can be recognized as a life science center just as Research Triangle Park in North Carolina is recognized as a cutting-edge research and development center. The production of vaccines and medicines as well as the research and development of cures for diseases such as cancer and sickle cell anemia can happen in laboratories, greenhouses and farms right here in Delaware.
Governor Minner and this administration are committed to attracting quality jobs, growing companies, world-class educational opportunities and scientific leadership to the state. Now is the time take Delaware's commitment to biotechnology to a higher level and capitalize on the opportunity to make our state a leader in this industry.
