Partnership Will Strengthen Illinois’ Thriving Biotechnology Sector

CHICAGO – In an effort to strengthen the international collaboration in the State of Illinois’ growing biotech sector, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich’s top economic development official today signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation (MOU) with the government of the Province of Ontario to collaborate on biotechnology research and trade.  Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Jack Lavin and Ontario Economic Development and Trade Minister Joseph Cordiano signed the MOU at the BIO 2006 Conference, held at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

“As the global economy continues to evolve, we must continue making investments and forming strategic partnerships to support the technologies of today and tomorrow to create high-paying, high-tech jobs.  Biotechnology serves to improve everyday life by finding solutions to everything from human illnesses and safer food products to cleaner environments and reducing public health threats.  By coming together with the Province of Ontario, we are forging a partnership to enhance information sharing and research in the life sciences, which will advance biotech activity throughout both of our regions,” Gov. Blagojevich said. 

The memorandum ensures specific opportunities for collaborative research, training and faculty/student exchanges in the areas of bio-products, which include biomaterials, biofuels, agricultural sciences, plant and animal genomics, environmental sustainability and food science and nutrition.  As a first step, both Illinois and Ontario will meet to discuss best practices and policy considerations at the upcoming World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology Conference to be held in Toronto from July 11-14, 2006.

The Illinois-Ontario MOU includes:

• Developing bio-products networks to capitalize on trends and opportunities of interest to both jurisdictions;
• Fostering information and technology exchanges across business and research institutions that will advance research and commercialization of biomaterials, bio-fuels, agricultural sciences, plant and animal genomics, environmental sustainability, food science and nutrition;
• Supporting trade development and business partnership opportunities, including such activities as business and/or scientific delegations; and
• Identifying specific issues the province and/or state may bring to the attention of their federal governments.

“Strengthening our partnership with the State of Illinois will spark more private sector interest in both of our jurisdictions,” said Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Trade Joseph Cordiano.  “Ontario and Illinois are both recognized as national centers for research, development and industry.  By working together to share information and research, we'll advance the biotech sector, creating more high value jobs, attracting more investment and spurring greater prosperity for all of our families and communities.”

“We are excited to be joining together with the Province of Ontario to advance our mutual interests in biotechnology research, development and commerce, and support innovations that will yield the jobs of tomorrow.  Illinois is well-positioned to take full advantage of the future of the biotech industry, and we look forward to getting there together through partnerships such as these with the people of Ontario,” said DCEO Director Jack Lavin. 

BIO 2006, which runs from April 9th – 12th, is providing a real opportunity for Illinois to showcase its booming biotech business to the more than 20,000 people and 2,500 biotech organizations that are expected to attend from across the U.S. and 60 countries.  The annual BIO convention is the industry's largest gathering of researchers, major international and domestic biotech corporations, start-ups, regulators and investors.  Business Facilities Magazine rated Illinois #1 for biotech growth in 2005.  As host of BIO 2006, the State of Illinois, in partnership with the City of Chicago, has a 6,400 square foot Pavilion, one of the largest and most prominent spaces at the convention.  The Illinois Pavilion is replete with the latest innovations in biotech, while highlighting Illinois’ unique and dynamic blend of all the biotech sectors.  More than 40 Illinois companies, organizations and institutions are on display.

Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history.  Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges.  Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses.  It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs.  Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.