Bioscience

Project: Building Western Massachusetts’ Future in its Emerging Biosciences and Bioengineering Cluster

Client: Bio Economic Technology Alliance for Western Massachusetts (BETA)

Battelle was engaged by BETA to formulate a regional strategy for biosciences and bioengineering for Western Massachusetts. An appraisal of the obstacles and opportunities in the region was key to developing an effective bioscience strategy. Battelle focused our efforts on identifying how Western Massachusetts could maximize the economic development value of its ongoing investments, as well as identifying how the region could best participate in the broader Knowledge Corridor bioscience efforts.

Project: State Government Initiatives in Biotechnology 2001

Client: Biotechnology Industry Organization

In 2001, Battelle collaborated with the State Science and Technology Institute on a project for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) to assess the “state of the state” in biosciences in each of the 50 states. The assessment included an inventory of all the initiatives pertaining to biotechnology and life sciences within each state, as well as the regulatory environment surrounding these initiatives. The report includes an analysis of trends and developments across the nation, and profiles of initiatives underway in 41 states www.bio.org.

Project: Laboratories of Innovation: State Bioscience Initiatives 2004

Client: Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)

In 2004, Battelle was engaged for a second time to provide a “state by state” assessment of the biosciences. The updated document provides a profile of life science initiatives across all 50 states. In addition to updating state profiles, this report quantifies the scale and scope of bioscience activity across each state measuring the level of R&D funding, private investment activity, and employment concentrations. A copy of this report can be found on the BIO website at www.bio.org.

Project: The Carilion Institute for Biomedical Sciences (CIBS) Prospectus

Client: Carilion Regional Health System

Battelle developed a Prospectus and design for the Carilion Biomedical Institute, which also includes Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) and the University of Virginia as its partners. Designed to take advantage of un-sponsored R&D from the univer­sities, the Center provides commer­cialization and other support and will eventually have an incubator, focusing on three research applications areas, one of which is medical automation. The Health System has provided $20 million to seed the Center with its strategic plan requiring self-sufficiency within seven years of the Center becoming operational. According to the Advisory Board for the Virginia Biotechnology Initiative, “Based on $11 million in research spanning 86 projects over 3 years, the Carilion Biomedical Institute has demonstrated an improvement of 7 times in commercialization metrics (invention disclosures, patents filed, licenses, and companies).” This significant improvement is attributed to the integrative partnership, commercial focus of the research, strong IP support and a “gap Management staff” provided by the Carilion Biomedical Institute.

Project: Pittsburgh BioVentures/Life Science Greenhouse

Client: Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh Regional Alliance

Battelle worked with Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance to help create the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse. This BioVenture is a joint effort to assist in the growth of the emerging biotechnology cluster in the Pittsburgh region. Battelle conducted a regional bioscience core competency assessment, an economic analysis, an analysis of the regional enabling technology infrastructure, and a benchmarking task comparing Pittsburgh with similar regions to determine the extent to which Pittsburgh is able to compete with these locations in the field of biotechnology. In order to implement BioVenture, a Prospectus was developed, complete with staffing, financial considerations, mission, and scope, as well as metrics to determine the effectiveness of activities. Battelle was then engaged by the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, the entity created as a result of the Prospectus, to help implement the strategy.

Project: A Central Ohio Bioscience Strategy for the 21st Century

Client: Edison Biotechnology Center and the Columbus Technology Leadership Council

In an effort to develop Central Ohio’s bioscience economy, Battelle was engaged by the Edison Biotechnology Center and the Columbus Technology Leadership Council to prepare a strategic framework to serve as a catalyst for the region to become a leading bioscience innovator in the Midwest. The primary goal of the strategy was to leverage existing bioscience assets in an effort to diversify the regional economy and to develop knowledge-based, wealth-generating jobs in the future.

Project: An Assessment of Medical Center-Industry Relationships: Benchmarking the Cleveland Clinc and Making Recommendation for Improvement

Client: Bioscience Cleveland Clinic Foundation/NovaMedics

Battelle performed an assessment of the technology development and commercialization functions of the Cleveland Clinic; pilot tested new market assessment tools; and made recommendations on ways to increase the technology commerciali­zation impact of the faculty and research of the Medical Center.

Project: An Action Plan to Grow Colorado’s Bioscience Cluster

Client: Colorado Technology Alliance

Battelle was engaged by the Colorado Technology Alliance to formulate a state strategy for the life sciences. The purpose of the study was to identify Colorado’s existing economic base in the life sciences on which to build emerging clusters; analyze existing and emerging core competencies in higher education and in other private sector and non-academic research organizations; and benchmark Colorado against other states to determine Colorado’s competitiveness as well as learn from others. A strategic action plan positioning Colorado’s efforts in the life sciences was completed.

Project: Philanthropic Participation in Regional Strategies for Technology-Led Economic Development

Client: The Danforth Foundation

The Danforth Foundation, based in St. Louis, engaged Battelle to advise how the Foundation could best support the “Plant/Life Science Strategy,” which was written by Battelle for the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association. The project involved benchmarking two dozen American foundations (both regional and national) to learn how they participated in regional initiatives for technology-led economic growth. Based on the benchmark results, and advice from other expert observers of the foundation and economic development fields, Battelle uncovered both the reasons some foundations have become strong supporters of such efforts, and the philosophical and legal inhibitions that have sometimes held others back. The analysis highlighted important models for foundation involvement, including grant programs, program-related investments, and innovative use of endowment funds held for investment return. Battelle provided short-term, mid-range, and long-term steps the Danforth Foundation could take to become an active supporter of the St. Louis strategy.

Project: Pursuing a Biosciences Strategy: District of Columbia Revenue Bond Program

Client: City of Washington, D.C.

Battelle assisted the city of Washington D.C. identify and focus its biotechnology efforts. Battelle facilitated focus group discussions about approaches the District of Columbia could pursue in developing its biotechnology industry and research base. As part of this activity, Battelle provided an overview of bioscience strategies and developments in other regions and states, and described approaches for developing a bioscience strategy for the District. In addition, Battelle collected, analyzed and prepared a preliminary economic analysis on the District’s current biotechnology position relative to the nation's, and assisted the District in identifying actions necessary to build its strengths in biotechnology.

Project: Arizona Bioscience Roadmap

Client: Flinn Foundation

Battelle was engaged by the Flinn Foundation to develop a competitive biosciences roadmap for Arizona. The study incorporated a ten-year investment strategy for the Foundation to ensure the success of the roadmap. Battelle identified key issues that, when addressed, will improve the position of the state in the biosciences. Battelle identified and developed comprehensive solutions that affect the State’s competitiveness in building a bioscience industry base, including capital, workforce, technology transfer and commerciali­zation, research infrastructure including space, networking, university roles and functions, and related quality of life issues important to bioscience employees. When implemented, the roadmap could position Arizona to further build its biosciences research stature and reputation. Battelle has since been engaged by the Flinn Foundation to assist in the implementation of the roadmap.

Project: A Strategic Framework to Make Georgia a Leader on the Biosciences

Client: Georgia Research Alliance

Battelle assisted the State of Georgia and the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) in developing a strategic framework to guide Georgia’s investments in support of the bioscience sector. The project included an economic analysis of Georgia’s bioscience base, a benchmarking analysis, an assessment of Georgia’s bioscience core competencies, and completion of a Georgia bioscience strategic framework.

Project: Sustaining Kosciusko County’s Health and Biomedical Industry for the 21st Century

Client: The Indiana Health Industry Forum and Kosciusko Development, Inc.

Battelle was engaged by the Indiana Health Industry Forum and Kosciusko Development, Inc. to create a framework for directing the continued development of the health industry in Kosciusko County, Indiana, one of the world’s leading locations for orthopedic manufacturing. The resulting health industry roadmap recommends a variety of activities to help develop and position the strong orthopedics manufacturing cluster contained in the county, as well as suggestions for reinforcing links between this cluster and the rest of the health industry and local economy.

Project: Indiana University Genomics/Bioinformatics Center

Client: Indiana University (IU)

Battelle assisted the IU Medical Center and the Office of the President in preparing an economic impact analysis for a proposed genomics/bioinformatics center to be located at the Indianapolis campus, involving both the Medical School and the newly established School of Informatics. Battelle explored the possibilities for financial leveraging, increased research funding, firm expansion from start-ups and attractions, job creation, and economic spillovers within the state. Battelle also benchmarked other such centers in the U.S. This information was used as part of a successful proposal by IU to the Lilley Endowment, resulting in an award of $115 million, the largest single award ever received by IU or made by Lilley.

Project: Iowa’s Bioscience Pathway for Development

Client: The State of Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED)

Battelle assisted IDED in formulating a statewide strategy for developing the state’s bioscience base. To do so, Battelle first analyzed Iowa’s bioscience competencies and niches, and identified the state’s existing economic base in the biosciences on which to build emerging clusters. The team then analyzed existing and emerging core competencies in higher education, non-academic research organizations, and the private sector. The project benchmarked Iowa against other states to determine how Iowa can ensure its competitiveness as well as learn from others. From this analysis, Battelle undertook a review of the unique issues facing the state, and developed a set of strategies and action upon which Iowa could build its future bioscience industry.

Project: Competencies and Niches to Build the Memphis Biosciences Roadmap

Client: Memphis Tomorrow, Inc.

Battelle was engaged to assist Memphis Tomorrow, Inc. in formulating portions of a regional strategy for the biosciences. The study identified the region’s existing economic base in the biosciences on which to build emerging clusters; analyzed existing and emerging core competencies in higher education, other research organizations, and the private sector; and benchmarked Memphis against other regions to determine how Memphis can ensure its competitiveness as well as learn from others. This Roadmap included a market strategy and case statement for Memphis in biosciences as well.

Project: Translating Genetics-Related Research into Improved Patient Care: Investing in Pharmacogenetics to Advance Disease Treatment

Client: MetroHealth System

The MetroHealth System engaged Battelle to assess and conceptualize establishing a Center for Translational Genomics. The project included determining existing and emerging core competencies relative to the formation of such a center. In addition, Battelle identified key functions, instrumentation, facilities, and other support necessary to make such a Center operational. Battelle reviewed Federal and other funding data, citation analysis data, and other secondary information to ascertain MetroHealth’s competitive position. Determining MetroHealth’s position also entailed identifying major markets in genomics and matching these markets to possible areas of focus based on current and emerging research and applications strengths and connections with other academic health centers.

Project: Michigan Life Sciences Strategy

Client: Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Battelle assisted Michigan’s economic development agency in designing guidelines for its new $1 billion Life Sciences Research Corridor. The study was funded through the State’s share of the cigarette tax settlement. In addition, Battelle assisted the State in the development of a statewide life sciences strategy and a statewide information technology strategy.

Project: Plant and Life Sciences Strategies for St. Louis: The Technology Gateway for the 21st Century.

Client: St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association (RCGA)

Battelle assisted the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association (RCGA) to complete a regional strategy for its plant sciences and life sciences base. A complete strategy from economic analysis, to benchmarking, to brainstorming groups and completion of the strategy was carried out. Civic Progress and other economic groups and organizations have endorsed the completed strategy, foundation and other funders are actively pursuing implementation, and a coalition, chaired by Dr. William Danforth, has been formed for implementation over the next several years. “BioBelt” has been established as the marketing image for the region. Battelle was also retained to assist in the implementation of the plant and life sciences strategy.

Project: A Regional Bioscience Strategy for Central Illinois

Client: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria.

Battelle worked with the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria to develop an overall biosciences strategy for the Greater Peoria region. Based on extensive interviews, an examination of the region’s core life sciences competencies, an economic analysis, and benchmarking of similar regions’ life science efforts, a strategic life sciences plan was developed. This strategy’s recommendations included both time frames and priorities for implementation to improve the Peoria region’s national and international stature in the life sciences. Finally, a regional outreach effort outlining the plan and its benefits was undertaken to effectively communicate to regional stakeholders how implementing such a strategy would greatly benefit the region.

Project: Advancing the Bio21 plan in the State of Washington

Client: Technology Alliance of Washington

Battelle is reviewing the current version of the Bio21 plan, and making suggestions for improvement, clarification, and amplification. Specifically, Battelle is analyzing how the Bio21 document presents a foundation for a broader strategic Bioscience Roadmap. As part of this effort, Battelle is examining the need for seed-funding as well as analyzing the roles and contributions the foundation community has provided to position state and regional economies around the biosciences.

Project: Life Sciences & Missouri’s Economic Future: An Opportunity to Build “One Missouri”

Client: The Danforth and Kauffman Foundations, the University of Missouri System, the State of Missouri

The Danforth and Kauffman Foundations engaged Battelle to develop a technology strategy for the State of Missouri focused primarily on plant and life sciences. Battelle conducted an economic analysis of the plant and life sciences industry in Missouri, identified core competencies of higher education and the plant and life sciences sectors, assessed Missouri’s competitive position vis-à-vis other states, and developed strategies and actions designed to position Missouri to be a leader in plant and life sciences.