The Word on Bio From Arizona

In the past two years, Arizona has agreed to put up at least $470 million to build biotech research facilities. But other states are pulling out their wallets to recruit and expand research, as well.

In 2001, 14 states had identified bioscience as an area for economic development. Now the tally is up to 40 states, according to a national report released Monday by the Battelle Memorial Institute, which is acting as a consultant to Arizona's efforts. Efforts include:

• Florida's commitment of more than $500 million to the Scripps Florida Biotechnology Research Institute.

• Connecticut's creation of a $5 million BioSeed Fund, which invests up to $500,000 in early-stage companies.

According to a study done by the Milken Institute, a national think tank, only a handful of metropolitan areas are able to sustain biotech industries.

Among the biotech winners: San Diego, followed closely by Boston and the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metro area in North Carolina. Neither Phoenix nor Tucson was mentioned.

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