Biotechnology Development in North Carolina

Jasper D. MemoryProf. of Physics, Emer., NC State U

Retired VP for Research, UNC System

jmemory@nc.rr.com

Research Triangle Park (NC)(www.rtp.org)

• Duke, NCSU & UNCCH in 20 min. drive• 140 organizations• 44,000 employees• 99.4 % of employees in R & D orgs.• Capital investment exceeds $2 billion• Total payroll about $ 2.7 billion• Average salary = $ 54,145

Triangle Universities Center for Advanced Studies, Inc. (in RTP)

• Biotechnology Center of North Carolina

• Burroughs Wellcome Fund

• MCNC

• National Humanities Center

• National Institute of Statistical Services

• Sigma Xi (not yet under construction)

NC’s Biotechnology in 1985

• 8 to 10 life science companies

• 2 government laboratories

• Several research universities

• 3,000 to 4,000 jobs

NC Biotechnology Center(www.ncbiotech.org)

• Founded in 1984 by NC General Assembly, $6.5 million annual funding

• Mission: long-term economic development to NC through support of biotechnology research, development and commercialization

• Non-profit

• No in-house research

NC’s Biotechnology in 2002

• 142 life science companies• 70 contract research organizations (CRO)• 135+ support/service companies• 30,000 jobs• National rankings: 1st in CRO’s, 2nd in Ag/Chem

R&D, 3rd in Biotech companies, 4th in Biopharmaceuticals

• 44 products, $2.5 billion/year• Many companies originated from univ. research

Faculty Recruitments Supported

• Duke Univ.-- 5

• East Carolina Univ.-- 1

• North Carolina State Univ.-- 16

• Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-- 17

• Univ. of North Carolina at Charlotte-- 1

Lessons from Establishing Center

• No In-house research

• Go with strength (“Don’t go to your left.”)

• Get the best CEO you can afford