SwampFox

July 2001 BioGram

Swamp Fox

July 2001 BioGram

Challenges Ahead

1) Challenge: to help make biotechnology a part of the Governor’s
Technology Transition Team, a diverse and talented group of business and
academic leaders, technology entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and other
thought leaders in South Carolina. The goal is to promote collaboration
between community and business leaders on technology issues, while utilizing
the resources of the research universities in our State. Challenge: As the
transition team looks at the potential of current and emerging technologies,
and develops a strategic plan to bring high-tech firms and start-ups to South
Carolina, we need to be certain to include biotechnology; biomedical,
agricultural and environmental; as an important component of the strategic plan.

2) Having met for a technology forum at the Greenwood Genetic Center recently
Innovision attendees saw first hand the future home of the South Carolina
Biotechnology Incubation Facility and the key role biotechnology can play in
our State. The Innovision Awards program founded by Deloitte & Touche which
recognizes technology excellence, innovation and their impact on the economy
and business environment of the Upstate is accepting nominations through July
16, 2001. The winners will be announced at the 3rd annual Innovision Awards
Dinner on November 6, 2001 at the Palmetto Expo Center, Greenville. For more
information visit www.InnovisionAwards.com.

Challenge: We need to have biotechnology initiatives competitive enough to be
a part of the awards program and perhaps even qualify as a winner.

3) We need to attract more biotech incubators to our State.

Challenge: To encourage incentives in the South Carolina State Legislature,
such as low cost loan packages, to make South Carolina pro active and biotech
friendly. One of the first biotech incubator companies in our State is
HemoGenix LLC, which is to be in the South Carolina Biotechnology Incubator
Facility at Greenwood. Independently owned by Dr. Ivan Rich, this contract
research and development laboratory utilizes human cells in a wide range of in
vitro techniques as a first line evaluation for cell-based screening and
monitoring of hemotoxicity and toxicity of other cells proliferating in the
body.

Challenge: To increase number of Biotech incubators and biotech companies in
South Carolina.

These are some of the challenges; hopefully, we will bring home opportunities
and answers from BIO 2001.

If you have an item to submit for the next BioGram, please forward by email to
the publisher TomSawyerCompany@aol.com or fax information to 803-252-9760.
Please forward to your friends.

Thank you.