FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Contacts: Tom Hunter, Marshall University (304) 746-2038
Gerald McDonald, Huntington Area Development Council (304) 525-1161
HADCO, Marshall University announce establishment of Biotech AlliancePartners to Promote Regional Biotech Opportunities at Global Conference
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University President Dan Angel and officials from the Huntington Area Development Council (HADCO) today announced the formation of The Biotech Alliance, a cooperative nonprofit venture that will play an integral role in the global marketing of biotechnology research and development at Marshall and throughout the Advantage Valley region.
The Biotech Alliance will assist in the marketing and promotion of biotechnology developed at Marshall and aid in the development of new partnerships to support biotechnology research at the university. “Our overall commitment to biotechnology research and development is truly enhanced by today’s announcement,” said Mark Bugher, HADCO chairman. “The Biotech Alliance will serve as an effective marketing component to complement the investments we’re making to develop biotechnology into the region’s new economic engine.
”The Alliance also will assist in development of the $5 million Velocity Center as a potential location for the business innovations developed at Marshall. The 5,000-square-foot center will be constructed at KineticPark and house lab space for a high-tech business start-up.Sen. Robert C. Byrd has secured a $1 million federal appropriation for Velocity Center, with the rest of the money to come from private financing once tenants have been signed and the building is designed.
“Through the development of a myriad of new research and development facilities and the shared vision of students, faculty, researchers and the region’s economic stakeholders, HADCO and Marshall University are developing a blueprint for economic success,” Angel said. “The Biotech Alliance will literally transition these major projects from the bricks and mortar stage to commercialization and production, benefiting the region through the development of new investments and high-wage jobs.
”Early next month, Biotech Alliance partners HADCO and Marshall will take another major step in their efforts to attract new biotech-related investment to the region through their joint participation in BIO 2004, the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s (BIO’s) annual convention. The BIO annual convention, June 6-9, 2004 in San Francisco, is the largest gathering of biotechnology leaders in the world, attracting more than 15,000 attendees and featuring more than 190 sessions, 1,000 speakers, and 1,200 exhibitors. BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. ###
