USA's BayBio calls for California leadership to support life sciences

Despite historic economic woes, the US state of California's life sciences industry's output was greater than ever before. The number of treatments, technologies and devices available to patients increased 35% in 2009 as compared to 2008.

In total, there are 1,754 marketed products available to patients, doctors and clinics worldwide that have California origins, according to data released today by BayBio during the launch of the flagship industry study BayBio: IMPACT 2010. Additionally, the report identifies 233 pending treatments, technologies and cures that represent more than $50 billion in investments for new jobs, facilities and equipment in the immediate future. However, without appropriate economic policies and support for education, the State of California will see very little of this development.

'BayBio challenges California's leadership to pledge support for the life sciences community through legislation, regulation and support for state-level investment, particularly policies which support science education,' said Gail Maderis, acting chief executive of BayBio, a non-profit trade association. 'Promoting investment in the biotech innovation economy is rightfully a main concern, but it's a shame to lose the fruits of that research just as the industry matures into an economic beacon of growth. This does an enormous disservice to the fiscal health of the state and the job opportunities for Californians with community college degrees,' she added.