ATLANTA, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia moves up to become the eighth largest life sciences community in the country, according to rankings released today in the Ernst & Young Global Biotechnology Report. The state’s focused efforts to build its bioscience industry, including the recruitment of talent, quality higher education and strong infrastructure, have supported the continued growth and development of what is now considered a world-class center for the life sciences.
“The state of Georgia is making significant investment in the future of its bioscience industry,” said Glenn Cornell, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism (GDITT). “By working to nurture our home-grown companies and bring the best, most promising companies to the state, we have been able to steadily grow over the past year and this new ranking confirms that.”
In 2003, Georgia held the ninth position in Ernst & Young’s report. This year’s improvement can be attributed to the state’s support of growing companies through public-private partnerships, the creation of new research facilities and strong commercialization efforts. Companies like Atherogenics, Inhibitex, Merial, Pharmasset, Serologicals and Solvay Pharmaceuticals also provide the state with a solid foundation of bioscience leadership.
The bioscience industry in Georgia has grown steadily for the past five years. The state is home to more than 120 bioscience research and development companies, eight research universities and a broad spectrum of resources for clinical research. To date, the state’s life sciences industry employs more than 13,000 Georgians.
“Georgia’s bioscience industry has come a long way in recent years,” said Jack Spencer, president of the Georgia Biomedical Partnership, which is dedicated to the growth and support of the industry. “This success has been achieved through public-private partnerships that are committed to delivering the resources necessary to attract industry and cultivate growth.”
GDITT’s Office of Science and Technology (OST) has worked with groups like the Georgia Biomedical Partnership, the Governor’s Office, private companies, institutions and communities to build a critical mass of talent and intellectual capital to keep the state at the forefront of research, product development and groundbreaking advancements in the biosciences. Additionally, OST markets Georgia internationally to increase awareness of its bioscience assets and to attract new industry.
“Georgia is a world-class bioscience center,” said OST Director Jeff Strane. “The unique advantages that our state offers create the perfect environment for growth, success and prosperity in this important industry.”
About GDITT/Office of Science and Technology
The Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism (GDITT) is the state’s sales and marketing arm and thereby the lead governmental organization for promoting, marketing and supporting Georgia’s economic growth. GDITT’s Office of Science and Technology (OST) is focused on attracting and retaining technology and bioscience companies to the state. GDITT/OST works with Georgia’s communities, companies and institutions to build a critical mass of talent and intellectual capital to keep the state at the forefront of research, product development and groundbreaking advancements in technology and bioscience. The Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism
CONTACT: Anne O’Neill of Manning Selvage & Lee, +1-404-870-6841, oranne.oneill@mlspr.com; or Kevin Langston of GDITT, +1-404-651-8578, orklangston@georgia.org