Georgia's Biotech Corridor

Regional officials got another dose of confidence recently from experts who say the Georgia Highway 316 corridor can become the heart of Georgia’s biobusiness industry.
In only their second meeting, officials on the Georgia Bioscience Joint Development Authority also heard they should create their economic vision for the corridor as quickly as possible, or risk losing upstart biotech firms to other states.

Their prime example is Inhibitex Inc., an Alpharetta biopharmaceutical company that has shown some interest in the corridor, but that also appears to be drawing attention from other states eager to lure the firm to their own biotech parks. The Research Triangle between Durham and Chapel Hill, N.C., considered the granddaddy of all biotechnology centers, would likely be a top competitor.

Michael Cassidy, executive director of the Georgia Research Alliance, said Inhibitex is just one of many biotech companies sprouting on the northern fringe of Atlanta. As these firms continue to grow, they may one day look to the corridor to build headquarters or research facilities — adding investment and jobs to the economy.

More here.