North Carolina's New Biotech Plan

The North Carolina Biotech Center presented Gov. Mike Easley with a 54-recommendation strategic plan for biotech growth that would cost more than $390 million if fully funded. Easley said he had asked the Center for "the most aggressive plan," and that is what he got.

The first two years of the plan focus on the biomanufacturing training program funded at $64.5 million by the Golden Leaf Foundation and industry commitments. From 2005 to 2009 the plan also recommends spending:

-$33 million to develop a statewide network of research centers focused on key regional resources.
-$25 million for the state commerce department to promote NC biotech.
-$19 million to replenish the Biotech Center's economic development fund.
-$15 million annually in the One North Carolina Fund used to recruit industry to the state.
-$15 million to fund continuing education programs at community colleges.
-$11 million to support early-stage applied research through Biotech Center grants.
-$10 million a year to endow university faculty and create a general fund for faculty startup packages.
-$6 million beginning in 2006 and $12 million more for the next three years to continue funds for the Biomanufacturing and Pharmaceutical Training Consortium.
-$500,000 to $1 million a year to survey the needs of biomanufacturing and life science companies in the state.
-$250,000 annually to market NC to national and international venture capitalists.
-$200,000 a year to establish an entrepreneur in residence program at universities.

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The full plan is available online at: www.ncbiotech.org/strategicplan