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"Scientists are using biotechnology to try and find solutions
to everything from cancer and Alzheimer's to safer food for our
children," Blagojevich said. "This research is cleaning our air and
fighting crime. We are also putting science to work in Illinois by
taking discoveries and turning them into new companies, marketable
products and high-paying, high-tech Illinois jobs. Our state has
been recognized as a national leader in this emerging science, and
BIO 2006 is going to help us achieve things we haven't even thought
of yet. This is a rare opportunity to import ideas, create companies
and jobs in Illinois that will leave a lasting impact on our state
long after our guests go home on April 12."
Illinois is already home to nearly 60,000 employees at more than
1,100 biotech firms. Business Facilities Magazine rated Illinois the
top state in the nation for biotech growth in 2005.
"We chose to hold this meeting in Chicago to showcase the
convergence of all applications of biotechnology, from health to
agriculture to industrial," said Jim Greenwood, president of the
Biotechnology Industry Organization. "This is an opportunity for
Chicago, Ill., and the greater Midwest to really put themselves on
the map as a biotech hub to the 60 countries and 50 states who will
be represented at the convention. This conference has the potential
to generate tens of millions of dollars of revenue for the state and
region in collaborations and investments in regional biotech
companies. With clean technologies and higher-than-average wages,
the biotechnology industry is a highly desirable driver of economic
development."
"As the region's largest global life sciences company, we know
that the biotech industry is strongly influenced by the science that
happens right here in Illinois," said Miles D. White, chairman and
chief executive officer of Abbott and co-chair of BIO 2006. "This
meeting allows us the opportunity to shine not only for our
neighbors locally, but for the rest of the world."
At BIO 2006, Illinois is demonstrating that it is "Putting
Science to Work" -- the theme of this year's Illinois Pavilion -- by
emphasizing the state's unmatched university and research
institutions, world-class infrastructure, diversified work force,
aggressive government support, and its innovative Illinois
companies. The state of Illinois, in partnership with the city of
Chicago, has a 6,400-square-foot pavilion, one of the largest and
most prominent spaces at the convention, which has the latest
innovations in biotech while highlighting Illinois' unique and
dynamic blend of all the biotech sectors. More than 40 Illinois
companies, organizations and institutions are on display.
Illinois is also showcasing its world-class universities and
research institutions, such as the University of Chicago,
Northwestern University, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National
Accelerator Laboratory, the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign's Institute for Genomic Biology, the National
Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, University Technology
Park at Illinois Institute of Technology and the Illinois Medical
District.
Multibillion-dollar Illinois medical companies, including Abbott
Laboratories, Baxter Labs and Dade-Behring, are giants that are
setting industry standards for excellence in the biotech field.
Over the past three years, Blagojevich has been making the
investments that are growing biotech in Illinois:
1. Illinois became the first Midwest state and only the fourth
state in the nation to commit public funds to stem cell research.
The governor is investing $10 million in stem cell research and is
proposing to invest another $100 million.
2. Illinois has worked to promote the use of alternative fuels
like E-85 and biodiesel.
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Became the first
state to completely eliminate the state sales tax on E-85 and
biodiesel blends of 11 percent and higher, dramatically
increasing E-85 sales and creating the largest biodisel market
in the nation.
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Provided more than
$1.5 million to the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center at
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, which is pioneering
biofuels research.
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Invested $500,000 to
increase access to E-85 and allow more gas station operators to
offer the 85 percent ethanol fuel. Since 2004, the number of
E-85 retail sales locations has increased from 14 to about 100,
which is about 20 percent of the entire nation's E-85 stations.
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3. Helping leading biotech companies move to and expand in
Illinois. Blagojevich has partnered with
Astellas Pharma, Hospira and Takeda Pharmaceuticals to expand or
relocate their headquarters, which is helping to create and retain
more than 1,300 jobs.
4. Investing to improve Illinois' biotech infrastructure:
- $1 million for the Illinois Science + Technology Park, a 1.5
million-square-foot campus in Skokie to commercialize scientific
research. The multi-tenant park is expected to create 3,250 new
jobs on-site, more than 10,000 ripple-effect jobs and 1,000
construction jobs. Upon completion, the campus will generate
$1.8 billion annually in statewide economic activity, according
to a study conducted by Applied Real Estate Analysis Inc.
- $4.5 million to help launch the Peoria NEXT Innovation
Center to nurture startups in the fields of nanotechnology,
bioscience, health care and agriculture. It is expected to
accommodate up to 20 firms, create more than 200 jobs in three
years and up to 1,200 jobs over the next eight years as these
companies grow.
- $1.6 million for the new Biotechnology Laboratory Incubator
at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, which will soon
house as many as 12 biology, chemistry or biochemical
laboratories.
This cutting-edge science has already led to a number of
innovations, including:
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Treating and
curing disease. More than 300 biotech drug products and
vaccines are in clinical trials targeting more than 200
diseases, including various cancers, Alzheimer's, heart disease,
diabetes, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and arthritis.
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Creating a
safer food supply. Biotech foods, such as corn and tomatoes,
reduce our dependence on chemical pesticides and herbicides,
while improving our food supply.
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Helping farmers
prosper. Herbicide-resistant biotech crops can save farmers
millions annually in labor and fuel costs while improving
yields.
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Developing new,
improved ways to produce energy. Biotech processes convert
soybeans into environmentally friendly fuel for diesel engines
and transform corn into ethanol for the cost-competitive E-85
gasoline, which supports rural economic development and lessens
our dependence on imported oil.
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Preventing
terrorism and fighting crime. DNA fingerprinting has
dramatically improved criminal investigation and forensic
medicine.
"Today, Illinois is a true biotech hotbed and a great place to do
business," said Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity Director Jack Lavin. "We are home to a diverse and
highly skilled work force, internationally renowned research
institutions, unmatched infrastructure, and a pro-growth businesses
environment. Over the past three years, Governor Blagojevich has
helped build tremendous momentum throughout our biotech industry,
and, by bringing BIO 2006 to Chicago, that progress will intensify
as our companies and entrepreneurs gain access to national and
international opportunities. This conference is going to have a
lasting legacy and put more people to work across Illinois for years
to come."
"Agriculture is experiencing incredible change through scientific
advancements," Illinois Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said.
"Thanks to biotechnology, our farmers are growing more crops on less
acreage than ever before. Without new or larger markets, this
increased production is unsustainable. That's why Governor
Blagojevich has expanded consumption of alternative fuels and
invested in businesses that create new uses for our farm products --
to build demand for our agricultural production, to spur innovation
and to enable farmers to reap the benefits of biotechnology."
[News release]
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