SAN DIEGO, June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Illinois' leadership in agricultural
biotechnology is allowing underdeveloped nations to improve and increase their
food supplies through the development of crops that are more resistant to
pests and drought. Biotech companies from Illinois are putting food on the
table for citizens around the world who live in countries where the population
is exploding and suitable farmland is shrinking.
Illinois was the first state to sow the seeds of agricultural
biotechnology. In 1987, Monsanto planted the first biotech field in the world
in Jerseyville, Illinois. The original 40-acre site has grown to 328 acres
and is still used by the company to this day.
"The State of Illinois, under the leadership of Governor George H. Ryan,
is committed to providing crucial public sector support to those researchers
who are constantly finding new ways to feed the world. We know that fostering
the growth of biotechnology in Illinois is not only good for our economy; it's
also vital to combating starvation around the globe," said Pam McDonough,
director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA).
McDonough is leading the Illinois delegation at Bio 2001, June 24-27, the
largest international biotechnology convention and exhibit, where more than
15,000 industry leaders have convened to discuss the latest innovations and
issues.
One new biotech firm taking advantage of this commitment is AniGenics,
Inc., an animal genomics company. Founded in Massachusetts, but moving soon
to the Chicago Technology Park, AniGenics represents the kinds of strides
being made in Illinois biotech. The company is paving the way in developing
new techniques and technologies to enable producers to economically identify
superior breeding stock, resulting in lower costs, improved food safety and
enhanced food quality.
"We chose Illinois because the commitment, infrastructure and regional
knowledge base will help build a strong foundation and ensure our success,"
said Dr. Steven M. Niemi, president and CEO of AniGenics, when announcing the
move to Chicago.
In 2000, AniGenics formed an alliance that included the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, the University of Illinois, University of Minnesota, and the
Roslin Institute of Edinburgh, Scotland for the purpose of establishing and
supporting an integrated, collaborative relationship with the world's top
research institutions in animal genomics.
"AniGenics embodies what we are trying to do to help biotech businesses,"
added McDonough. "All sectors -- government, academia and private businesses
-- come together in Illinois to support companies like these so they can
deliver solutions that make our lives better."
Other examples of cutting-edge biotech firms taking advantage of Illinois'
integrated network of resources include:
* Integrated Genomics, Inc., which combines genome sequencing and
bioinformatic services to provide a better understanding of cellular
life and a means to improve human life. Current customers include some
of the world's leading pharmaceutical, agricultural, and chemical
companies.
* ThermoGen, a MediChem Company, develops stable enzymes for industrial
applications. Using proprietary techniques from all types of
microorganisms, ThermoGen's efforts simplify and accelerate the
development of advanced product needs in pharmaceutical, agriculture
chemicals and food, specialty and fine chemicals, petroleum refining,
petrochemical and environmental applications.
A major component of Illinois' public sector commitment to biotechnology
is Governor Ryan's VentureTECH program, which is a $1.9 billion investment in
a variety of technology initiatives.
Included in VentureTECH is funding for the University of Illinois
Post-Genomics Institute. This facility will help bridge cross-discipline,
cutting-edge research in the biological sciences by focusing on the
development of new technologies and capitalizing on the biology/engineering
interface, growth in the field of biotechnology, and expansion into
commercialization. Just a few of the research examples include: new varieties
of corn and soybeans, improvements in animal sciences, biofarming, and
farmaceuticals -- the production of pharmaceuticals through the modification
of a plant's or animal's genetic material.
At the same time, "Illinois is home to the National Center for Food Safety
& Technology which works with the world's largest food companies in
collaboration with academia and government to help assure the nation's food
safety," said Matthew Botos, Director of the Illinois Center for Food Safety &
Technology (ICFST). ICFST focuses specifically on food safety in Illinois.
"Illinois biotech companies are giving American consumers more choices
while improving food safety," said Shaye Mandle, president of the Illinois
Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening Illinois'
economy through science and technology. "Illinois biotechnology, however, is
not just about agriculture. All biotech endeavors statewide are ensuring we
live longer, healthier lives."
Anchoring Illinois' biotech base are companies either headquartered in
Illinois or with significant operations in the state, including Abbott
Laboratories, Archer Daniels Midland, Monsanto, Baxter International, Dade
Behring, and MediChem Life Sciences.
Cutting-edge biotech research institutions, including the University of
Illinois at Champaign/Urbana, Northwestern University's Kellogg Center for
Biotechnology, the University of Illinois/Chicago, the USDA agricultural
research laboratory in Peoria, the Illinois Center for Food Safety and
Technology, the Illinois Institute of Technology, and Fermi and Argonne
National Laboratories are helping attract more biotech companies to Illinois.
The state also features biotech incubators, including the Chicago Technology
Park, a public-private partnership between the University of Illinois and the
State of Illinois, located in the heart of the Illinois Medical District, one
of the largest urban medical centers in the world. The Chicago area has more
colleges of medicine than any other city in the United States.
About The Illinois Coalition
The Illinois Coalition is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization of
the state's top leaders from business, labor, government, education, and
research dedicated to a single overriding goal: to strengthen Illinois'
economy through science and technology. For more information, visit
http://www.ilcoalition.org .
SOURCE The Illinois Coalition
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Related links:
http://www.ilcoalition.org
CONTACT:
Christy Snider of The Illinois Coalition,
312-814-3482, or snider@ilcoalition.com; or in San Diego, BIO
2001, Booth 1415, Michael Beightol, 312-339-0055, or Ed
Bergstraesser, 708-288-5590, both for The Illinois Coalition
NOTE TO EDITORS: Visit us at BIO 2001 - Booth 1415.
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