Fierce Biotech, an observer of the world's biotech industry, rated Wisconsin as one of the "five hottest" markets in the world.
The Madison Region owes a great deal of its prosperity to the biotech industry concentrated here. According to a 2007 Bizjournals report, the Madison area ranks in the top 10 list of metro areas for PCI increases. The report credits the role of biotechnology in the increase: "An emerging biotechnology sector is providing an extra economic boost to Madison, which already boasted the twin advantages of being a state capital and the home of a major university. Local PCI has risen 160 percent since 1985, dwarfing the nationwide pace of 134 percent."
The biotechnology sector only continues to grow.
Assets
The Madison Region and its larger immediate surrounding area has leading research facilities such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison (perennially top five in U.S. research spending and currently second in the nation for R&D funding), an enormously strong tech transfer arm through the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) and the only Masters of Science in Biotechnology in the country.
We have growing capital markets, especially within angel networks; strong partnership organizations like the Wisconsin Technology Council and the Wisconsin Biotechnology and Medical Device Association; business incubators and research parks, and a thriving cluster of science companies and a healthy climate for business, academic and government cooperation.
In fact, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is the pioneer of embryonic stem cell research, which is why we were chosen as the home for the National Stem Cell Bank.
The region's workforce is also a major asset. A recent Bizjournals study ranks Madison "as the U.S. metropolitan area with the strongest brainpower" in a study of "the nation's 100 largest markets". The study cites the "expanding number of biotechnology firms" as a significant factor in this ranking.
We have growing capital markets, especially within angel networks; strong partnership organizations like the Wisconsin Technology Council and the Wisconsin Biotechnology and Medical Device Association; business incubators and research parks, and a thriving cluster of science companies and a healthy climate for business, academic and government cooperation.
In fact, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is the pioneer of embryonic stem cell research, which is why we were chosen as the home for the National Stem Cell Bank.
The region's workforce is also a major asset. A recent Bizjournals study ranks Madison "as the U.S. metropolitan area with the strongest brainpower" in a study of "the nation's 100 largest markets". The study cites the "expanding number of biotechnology firms" as a significant factor in this ranking.
Research, Development, and Commercialization
The region has emerging centers of research excellence in tissue regeneration, personalized medicine, error-free hospitals, genetically modified organisms, zoonotics disease control and small molecule pharmaceuticals. Its bioinformatics and medical devices clusters are strong and growing, led by companies such as GE Healthcare and TomoTherapy.
*Find out why TomoTherapy founder Dr. Thomas "Rock" Mackie asks, 'Why wouldn't you locate your business here?'
*Find out why TomoTherapy founder Dr. Thomas "Rock" Mackie asks, 'Why wouldn't you locate your business here?'
(Source: Wisconsin Technology Council, Madison, WI).
Ripple Effect
The success of the biotechnology sector has a positive impact on other industries. The Daily Reporter recently reported on the relationship between growing biotechnology companies and the construction industry. As biotech start-ups develop into full-fledged companies, they need new space - fueling the construction industry here. They're also creating jobs for workers with a variety of skill levels that live throughout the region, and using suppliers and contractors within Wisconsin.
One-of-a-Kind
The UW-Madison now offers a Master of Science in Biotechnology - the only degree of its kind in the United States - providing a unique and direct talent pipeline for the region's biotechnology cluster.
Learn more
Learn more
Contact
Be a part of growing the biotechnology sector. Contact:
Cheryl Gain, Director of Biotechnology Initiatives
608.443.1965
Email Cheryl
Cheryl Gain, Director of Biotechnology Initiatives
608.443.1965
Email Cheryl
In collaboration and agreement with biotechnology sector leaders, Thrive established the definition below for the biotechnology sector:
Testimonial
"I could work anywhere in the world and I came to the Madison Region because this is where I want to face and solve the challenges of the future. This region strongly supports the biotech industry. We are a global leader."
--Dr. Gabriela Cezar, Assistant Professor, UW-Madison Department of Animal Sciences and CSO, Stemina
--Dr. Gabriela Cezar, Assistant Professor, UW-Madison Department of Animal Sciences and CSO, Stemina
Did you know?
Fierce Biotech, an observer of the world's biotech industry, rated Wisconsin as one of the "five hottest" markets in the world.
New! Madison to Host World Stem Cell Summit
MADISON -- Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Madison will host the World Stem Cell Summit on September 22 - 23, 2008, bringing together premier researchers, advocates, investors, and other industry leaders to advance stem cell research and the promising technologies that will save lives. [...]