Biotechnology

Current State of Biotechnology

The bioscience and biotechnology industry is a diverse and rapidly growing sector that is contributing significantly to national, state and regional economies, including that of South Central Wisconsin. The sector recorded continuous employment growth over the past decade, with 1.42 million jobs in the United States, according to the Biotechnology Industry Organization's 2010 State Bioscience Initiatives Report.

The same report declared that Wisconsin has experienced industry growth in specialized areas including agricultural feedstock and chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, and medical research and development. Significant employment gains were made across the State, with a reported 24,964 jobs in the biotechnology sector in 2008, up 15.8% since 2001. Biotechnology establishments were also seen on the rise, with 752 companies stationed in Wisconsin in 2008, up 28.4% from 2001.

Industry Insight

The biotechnology sector is making its presence know throughout South Central Wisconsin, offering high wages, and a bigger value-add to the regional economy. According to Thrive's 2009 Biotechnology Sector SnapShot publication, biotechnology adds $1.74 billion to the regional economy, up 31.4% from 2003 to 2006, outpacing productivity growth in all other industries combined.

Sector Leadership

BioForward is the member-driven state association that is the voice of Wisconsin’s biotechnology industry. They advocate actively on their members’ behalf to create investment and partnership opportunities, attract and retain the very best people, and support public policy that fosters their continued growth. Members include biotechnology companies, universities, non-profits, service providers, and state, regional and local government representatives.

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Sector Efforts

Emerging Industry Skills Partnership (EISP) Grant

This $95,000 grant aims to provide infrastructure support and training to the biotechnology industry. In collaboration with BioForward and other partners, the investment supported three major objectives: 1.) The launch of a seminar series for human resource and technical leaders engaged in employee development in biotechnology companies 2.) The development and piloting of a peer learning program intended to successfully transition scientists from an academic to a business environment, and 3.) Completion of a baseline snapshot of the biotechnology industry in Wisconsin.

Forty-three incumbent workers from 29 different companies attended biotechnology-focused seminar style courses, a peer learning program, and a two-day business simulation program. A post-course survey revealed that more than 92 percent of participants would recommend the training to others.

In additional to the educational objectives, the EISP grant supported efforts to 1.) Define the biotechnology industry in Wisconsin using commonly accepted industry and commerce descriptions, 2.) Create a lay-person description of the industry, and 3.) Create a series of conceptual maps as a visual representation of biotechnology in Wisconsin. BioForward worked with Vandewalle and Associates, the national BIO organization, and Battelle to arrive at 25 6-digit NAICS codes to use in defining biotechnology industries in Wisconsin. Learn more at www.bioforward.org

Biotechnology Youth Apprenticeship Program

Dane County School Consortium and Biopharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTCI) are coordinating this two year program for high school juniors and seniors, which includes a 10-15 hours per week paid apprenticeship in an industry or university lab setting and specialized instruction, in addition to traditional high school coursework. Currently, both partners are working with Madison College to reformat and focus the Youth Apprenticeship Program-Biotechnology class for 2010-2011. This course will have a strong emphasis on the underlying principles of replication, transcription and translation and will include corresponding lab activities. Students enrolled in the apprenticeship program will have the opportunity to earn credits toward Madison College's Biotechnology program. Learn more at www.dcsc.org and www.btci.org

Biotechnology Field Trips

Dane County School Consortium has worked to expand the Biotechnology Youth Apprenticeship Program to include biotechnology field trips, courses for teachers and workshops for school to career coordinators. In 2010, 15 area high schools--ranging from rural to large urban schools--participated in biotechnology field trips to Biopharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTCI) in Madison, Wisconsin. This effort supports career development and exposes students and teachers to real-world biotechnology settings and practices.

“I loved the field trip to BTCI. I thought the experience was very worth while and educating. I think this kind of field trip gives students a good glance at the potential their future can hold.”

-Madison Area High School Science Teacher

Learn more at www.dcsc.org and www.btci.org

Videos

Resources

Biotechnology Industry Organization

The world's largest biotechnology organization, providing advocacy, business development and communications services its members of the biotechnology and bioscience sector. Includes state-based and national biotechnology publications and reports, including economic data and employment figures.

BioForward


Wisconsin Biotechnology Industry Fact Sheet Download Now (PDF)	Bioscience in Wisconsin Economic Impact Study Download Now (PDF)	Wisconsin Biotechnology Companies Jobs by Industry (with NACIS codes) Download Now (PDF)	Wisconsin Biotechnology Companies by Industry Subsector (with NACIS codes) Download Now (PDF)


BioForward Energy & Biobased Industry Key Assets Map Download Now (PDF)	BioForward Food & Agriculture Industry Key Assets Map Download Now (PDF)	BioForward Health Care & Medical Industry Key Assets Map Download Now (PDF)