News from the New York Biotechnology Association
NYBA Chairman Looks To The Future
Ask Robert Beckman, chair of New York Biotechnology Association's (NYBA) board of directors, about the history of the association and he will tell you about the future of biotechnology in New York. The future was on his mind 10 years ago when the president and CEO of Intergen Company was one of a group of bioscience executives who met regularly to discuss industry issues. "As the technology advanced, it became clear that the industry needed a sophisticated support network to reach its full potential," Beckman recalls of the informal gatherings that led to the founding of the NYBA. NYBA is now an integral part of the network that Bob envisioned and the focal point of strategies for the future growth of New York biotech. "What we need to keep New York-developed technology in the state and growing is a strong public-private partnership," Bob explains, adding that one of NYBA's greatest strengths is building bridges between the different facets of the biotech community.
During the next two years, Beckman would like to see NYBA work more closely with the state government to increase funding for facilities that can incubate research into business. He also would like to encourage more incentives for businesses to move to New York. "Biotech CEOs spend up to 25% of their time in New York mining our science and access to capital but they don't locate their companies here. The industry needs to make a cohesive effort to portray the state as what it is: one of the top biomedical science centers in the country."
One way of doing that is by participating in the Biotechnology Legislative Day in Washington, DC, April 20-21. Sponsored by NYBA and Biotechnology Industry Organization, of which Beckman is also a founding board member, the event gives biotech professionals across the nation the opportunity to meet their local members of Congress and discuss issues that directly impact the industry. NYBA members are invited, and Bob urges them to attend. "Last year, the breakfast meeting with New York legislators wasn't as well attended as we would have liked. If we are going to shape our industry's future, we need to show our commitment to our state's lawmakers." Once again, Bob Beckman mentions the past only on his way to the future.
NYC Hot Line Assists New Biotech Businesses
Biotechnology companies interested in locating in New York City can get answers to their business questions by calling 877-NYC-4BIO, a toll-free hot line managed by the city's Economic Development Corporation. The new hot line will help companies determine their eligibility for tax incentives and bond financing programs, and tell them how to apply for benefits related to sales tax, real estate tax and energy costs. It will provide information on office space and finding or relocating employees, and will offer contacts at the city's key research and medical institutions. The city administration established the hot line as part of a program to build its bioscience industry; the high cost of doing business in the city and stringent requirements on the disposal of medical waste have hampered efforts to attract companies, despite the abundance of major teaching hospitals and research facilities in the area.
New Format For Bio CEO/Investor Conference Hailed A Success
Nearly 800 biotech CEOs, investment bankers, and analysts attended the BIO CEO and Investor Conference at the New York Palace Hotel, February 24-26. This is the first time the conference has been held separately from BIO's annual meeting, and the strong showing makes it likely that they will repeat the event in this format next year. Biotech companies from all over the nation use the conference as a forum to present their latest technology developments to potential investors. The program also includes roundtable discussions and tabletop exhibits. Keynote speakers at the opening luncheon on Wednesday, February 24, were Dr. Henry A. McKinnell, executive vice president of Pfizer Inc, and Ron Insana, host of CNBC's "Street Signs." Knight Kiplinger, co-editor of the Kiplinger Washington Letter, spoke at the the Thursday luncheon.
Members In The News
A newly patented nuclear medicine therapy for bone cancer, developed at Brookhaven National Laboratory, is now being tested in nationwide clinical trials. The compound, called tin-117m DTPA, may provide non-sedating relief for the excruciating pain of advanced-stage bone cancer. Preliminary research shows that it may also actually shrink cancer legions.
ImClone Systems will receive a $5 million milestone payment from Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany, its corporate partner in the development of C225, to move the drug to Phase III clinical trials. C225 is a monoclonal antibody that is used to treat squamous cell head and neck cancer. The collaboration agreement licensed Merck KGaA exclusively to develop and commercialize C225 outside North America, while ImClone retains the North American rights.
Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced the appointment of Kenneth G. Surowitz, PhD, to the position of senior director, regulatory affairs and quality. Dr. Surowitz will have responsibility for overseeing the regulatory affairs, quality assurance and quality control activities of the company.
RenalTech International was one of the presenting companies at the Alley to the Valley conference in San Francisco, CA, March 8-9. The purpose of the conference was to introduce West Coast investors to East Coast entrepreneurs, most of whom came from new media companies. RenalTech's presence, however, made it clear that biotech is playing an increasingly important role in the New York economy.
Biotechnology Center Trains Tomorrow's Scientists
Before New York high-tech businesses started wringing their hands about skilled worker shortages, Westchester County biology teacher Leo Palmero recognized that fewer American students were entering the science disciplines and quietly set about correcting the problem. Or maybe not so quietly. To assemble a biotechnology center with little more than $1,000 dollars seed money from the school district, you have to make some noise. That is exactly what Palmero did. He sent letters to biotech companies all over the nation; he made phone calls, honing his "pitch" with each contact. Finally, Schering-Plough invited Leo to lunch and he came away with his first equipment donation. Since that first success in 1990, the North Rockland High School Biotechnology Center has become one of the largest high school-level biotech centers in the country, receiving $400,000 in equipment donations from such organizations as Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, Sartorius and Intergen Company.
"Students pursuing science degrees come back and tell me that their college labs aren't as well equipped as we are," Palmero says proudly. His pride is justified; the Biotechnology Center boasts its own water purification system and vertical electrophoresis boxes to name only two pieces of high-tech equipment the students use to perform college-level experiments. The hands-on lab experience provides students with a knowledge of biotechnology that goes beyond textbooks and prepares them for science careers in the 21st century. Many North Rockland alumni have gone on to medical school; several have earned PhDs and now work in biotech companies. Headhunters call Leo for referrals and even his current students are in demand.
"The NYU toxicology unit likes to hire them as lab technicians because they have the basic skills and can hit the ground running." In spite of its growing reputation, however, the program receives less support from New York companies than Leo might hope. "Most of our donations come from out of state," he admits. "If our bioscience industry doesn't invest in educating the population now, they will have to go outside the country for skilled workers later." But in the meantime, Leo Palmero will be doing his part to train future biotechnologists. To donate money or equipment to the North Rockland Biotechnology Center, contact Leo Palmero at 914-942-3319, email plasmid@frontiernet.net, or visit the center's web site at www.frontiernet.net/~plasmid.
About the NYBA
NYBA is a non-profit membership association representing 230 bioscience technology companies, world class research institutes and related professional services in New York State and the Tri-state region.
The mission of NYBA is to promote the growth and development of the biotechnology industry in New York State. Our member services and events play an important role in this mission by providing NYBA members with access to resources that can help them build their businesses. These are some of the benefits that our members enjoy:
Our annual schedule of events provides biotechnology professionals with opportunities to learn about the latest industry trends, discuss issues and network. As a NYBA member, you may attend regional receptions, seminars and roundtables, and technology showcases. Our industry Group Forums focus on such topics as investor relations and communications, business development, facilities and operations and human resources. Our Annual Meeting attracts hundreds of industry leaders, researchers and biotechnology executives for exhibits, panel discussions, business workshops and media opportunities.
Through our New York City Biotechnology Initiative, NYBA works with area technology transfer officials and researchers at both universities and companies to match technology needs with technology resources. The Initiative has matched over 100 area academic researchers with companies.
NYBA's initiative has also helped companies submit Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants. Both programs are designed to stimulate technological innovations and product development. For more information about the New York Biotechnology Initiative, call Paula Olsiewski, director of technology development, or Dr. Guadalupe Cipres, technology development associate, 212-371-5697.
This article was excerpted from the most recent issue of the New York Biotechnology Association's newsletter.
For more information: Kevon Storie, Communications Manager, New York Biotechnology Association, 25 East Loop Rd., Stony Brook, NY 11790. Tel: 516-444-8895. Fax: 516-444-8896. Email: kstorie@nyba.org.