"To keep California on the cutting-edge of this life-saving field, we need to launch a new life sciences initiative," he said during his state-of-the-state address on Jan. 10, 2003.

"The true value of this industry lies not in its bottom line, but in its higher purpose."

In his speech to the joint session of the Legislature covered live by all the major media networks, Davis recognized "some of the leaders of this extraordinary field."

He introduced UCSF Chancellor Mike Bishop as lead chancellor for the new Institute of Quantitative Biomedical Research and a 1989 Nobel Prize winner in medicine; Elisabeth Blackburn, the 1999 California Scientist of the Year and one of the world's top cancer researchers; Cynthia Kenyon, head of UCSF's Center for the Biology of Aging; as well as Sydney Brenner, this year's Nobel Prize winner in medicine for his "groundbreaking work on organ development."

Both Blackburn and Kenyon will be moving their laboratories this year to the third floor at Genentech Hall at UCSF's new teaching and research campus at Mission Bay.

Earlier this month, the governor announced a series of new measures designed to boost life-saving research and product development in the state. Among them are:

reviewing existing programs and resources that can be redirected to support the life sciences industry;
working closely with the UC Office of the President, and the technology transfer offices of each UC campus, to develop strategies that accelerate the transfer of technology and its commercialization, standardize the licensing process for the UC system and to give the local UC technology transfer offices more autonomy; and
hosting regional "BioScience Summits" that bring together leaders from local communities, industry and academia to identify strategies to sustain growth and development of life sciences.

"California has always been the center of innovation and it will continue to be so because of our entrepreneurial culture, diversity and available talent," Davis said. "The life science industry was born in California. With the success of companies in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego and greater Los Angeles basin, California is clearly the world leader in life sciences."

Taking Charge of its Future

Davis noted that while he has been governor the state has strengthened its position as a life sciences leader. With the approval of the state Legislature, Davis established four world-class Institutes of Science and Innovation, including the Institute of Quantitative Biomedical Research, or QB3.

To be headquartered at the UCSF Mission Bay campus, QB3 is a partnership with UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz. Directed by Marvin Cassman, QB3 involves more than 100 scientists from different disciplines - the physical, engineering, mathematical and medical sciences — who will probe new technologies to improve human health. Construction of the QB3 building at Mission Bay began in July 2002 and is expected to be completed in September 2004. Campus officials hope that the arrival of scientists and scholars to Genentech Hall, which has already begun, QB3 and other research buildings at Mission Bay will attract biotech companies to explore public/private partnerships to advance health.

California is currently home to more than 2,500 biomedical companies that employ 225,000 people in the areas of medical devices, biopharmaceutical companies, academic research, wholesale trade and lab services, according to the governor's office.

In 2000, the biomedical industry paid its employees $12.8 billion in wages and salaries, giving an average annual salary of $64,353, the governor's office notes.

These companies, in partnership with California's research universities, are developing and commercializing technologies that seek to conquer such crippling and deadly diseases as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and HIV. Already, biotech start-ups based on UCSF-enabling technology include such companies as Cytokinetics, Geron, Genteric and Scientific Learning Company to name a few.

Davis says the new life sciences initiative can be accomplished with existing state resources. "When it comes to creating jobs, promoting business and making California prosperous, California will not wait around for national or international conditions to change, but will take charge of its own future," he said.

"A large part of that future is going to be in the rapidly growing life sciences industry, which is not only an engine for economic growth, but holds the key to alleviating vast suffering and improving the health and well-being of literally every person in the world. This is why life sciences are going to be a key focus of our overall economic growth strategy."

Source: Lisa Cisneros

Last updated January 28, 2005

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