In the June 21, 2004 Issue:

Copyright State Science & Technology Institute 2004. Redistribution to all others interested in tech-based economic development is strongly encouraged — please cite the State Science & Technology Institute whenever portions are reproduced or redirected.

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Fully-Funded MEP in FY05?
The roller coaster ride that represents Washington's manufacturing policies and fiscal investments took a turn that was welcomed by MEP supporters when the House subcommittee for Commerce, Justice, and State appropriations last week decided to fund the Manufacturing Extension Partnership at $106 million in fiscal year 2005.

More than two-and-one-half times the Administration's FY 2005 request of $39.6 million, the appropriation would return the program to its FY03 funding level.

The bipartisan outpouring of support for MEP has been substantial since the popular NIST program suffered the 63 percent cut in FY04 -- the result of a bit of budgeting gamesmanship that backfired during the debacle that represented the FY04 appropriations process.

The ride for the 400 MEP centers across the country is not over, however. Senate action is still needed, although the Senate has been in recent years a strong supporter of MEP so it is likely they will join the House at $106 million. However, given that the last two budget battles extended 4-5 months into the fiscal years and that this is a closely contested election year, it is unclear if Congress will in the end pass more than a continuing resolution.

More news on the House subcommittee's actions is available at: http://appropriations.house.gov/

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AMA Calls for Gov't Registry of All U.S. Clinical Trials
Many states and communities across the country want to be leaders in the much anticipated bio-based economic boom. Even more companies are hoping to create the next great multi-billion-dollar pill. For a few firms, that push for profits may be too great, replacing the original focus on human health or environmental issues.

Last week, in response to concerns about the impact of pharmaceutical industry sponsorship on research outcome, quality and publication bias, the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates called for the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a comprehensive registry for all clinical trials conducted in the U.S.

The new registry would ensure that trials with negative as well as positive results are publicly available, by providing every clinical trial with a unique identification and ensuring publication or placement on an electronic database of all results from registered trials.

The new policy, approved at the AMA’s annual meeting, also calls for the AMA to urge institutional review boards (at hospitals, universities and medical centers) that must approve any research involving human subjects to consider registration of clinical trials as a condition for approval.

“Studies with positive findings are more likely to be published than studies with negative or null results,” said AMA Trustee Dr. Joseph Heyman. “We are concerned that this pattern of publication distorts the medical literature, affecting the validity and findings of systematic reviews, the decisions of funding agencies and, ultimately, the best practice of medicine.”

The AMA cited growing concern about the influence commercial support of drug trials may have on this publication bias. There are potential problems arising from clinical trial agreements that may delay publication or delete information from publications. There may be outcome bias resulting from the use of unreliable methods and inadequate sample size or comparison groups. Industry-funded studies may be more likely to use placebos or inactive controls, increasing the likelihood of achieving positive study results.

In studying this issue, the AMA also found direct sources of publication bias. Investigators and authors are reluctant to submit studies unless the results are positive or significant, believing that journals will not publish them. Journals are more interested in publishing studies that are likely to affect clinical practice. As a result, confirmatory trials, trials with negative results, and trials that show no significant result are less likely to be published.

The new policies were based on recommendations put forth in a report from the AMA’s Council on Scientific Affairs (CSA). Authors of the study reviewed the available scientific literature on the relationship between pharmaceutical sponsorship and research outcome, quality or publication bias, including 12 systematic reviews of thousands of original studies.

Biotech Ethics and TBED
The race for biotech leadership - in agriculture and the life sciences - has elevated questions of ethics, morality and civic responsibility within the technology-based economic development (TBED) community. As recent scientific and technological advances have greatly expanded man's influence over nature and creation, many people are raising concerns about the moral limits of our progress, the environmental implications of our actions, and the need to include societal costs and obligations in defining biotech success.

Are there any "ought nots" to guide state and local investments for creating knowledge-based economic growth? If so, what are they? What role should or does ethics play in TBED? Conversely, what moral social responsibilities do the economic development, business and scientific communities have inherently, if any?

Ethics and TBED will be just one of the 25-plus thought-provoking breakout sessions at Building Tech-based Economies: Preparing for Tomorrow's Challenges, to be held in Philadelphia on October 14-15. More information on SSTI's 8th annual conference is available at: http://www.ssti.org/conference04.htm [expired]

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Commission Offers Guidelines to Strengthen European Research
Scientific research, technological development and innovation are the heart of a knowledge-based economy, and in order to strengthen this sector in Europe, the European Union’s (EU) research budget needs to be doubled, according to a new plan released by the Commission of The European Communities.

Science and Technology, the Key to Europe’s Future offers guidelines suggested by research commissioner Philippe Busquin and other scientists and researchers. In March 2002, the EU set the objective of increasing the European research effort to 3 percent of the European GDP by 2010, an effort referred to as the Lisbon strategy. To provide a response to the objectives of the strategy, the Commission initiated a plan focusing on key topic in future research efforts.

The plan argues that the cost of research continues to skyrocket, in turn requiring the current budget of 10 billion Euros ($12 billion U.S.) per year to be doubled to extend through 2013. To enhance the impact of European research, the budget increase should be allocated according to three principles, centered around six objectives, the plan suggests. Principles include a balance between current and new activities, between research for the advancement of knowledge and its industrial application, and between support for human and material research capabilities.

The plan discusses the creation of European centers of excellence and the development of a European Research Council (ERC) to be open at the international level in order to attract researchers from around the world. This is essential, the authors contend, to strengthen Europe’s role on the world technology scene and in research on global issues. The current system operates by the EU setting fixed priorities and funding only projects consistent with them. Under the new concept, the ERC would instead focus on promoting creativity and allowing individual teams to come up with research suggestions.

The plan is only the beginning, however, for a long road to implementation that requires several acts of approval to be met. According to a recent article from The Scientist, the plan was designed to trigger discussions in preparation for the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), which runs from 2007 to 2013. FP7 is the EU’s main instrument for the funding of research and innovation in science, engineering and technology.

The Scientist reports that the next steps include policy debates within EU institutions and consultation with members of the research community. The Commission will present more concrete proposals in 2005, which will then be passed along to the European Parliament for input, and finally in 2006, representatives of member states will make a final decision.

Science and Technology, the Key to Europe’s Future is available at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/future/index_en.html

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Virginia Launches $12M Rural Broadband Initiative
One of the more interesting uses of funds from the national tobacco settlement with the states, Virginia officials announced a $12 million economic development and broadband technology infrastructure initiative to serve more than 25 towns, cities and counties of rural Virginia.

The Regional Backbone/Roots of Progress Initiative (RBI) will create 700 miles of new fiber optic cable that will connect five cities, 20 counties, 56 industrial parks and provide high-speed Internet access to nearly 700,000 citizens and more than 19,000 businesses throughout Virginia at a 20 percent reduction in high-speed Internet access costs. Construction is scheduled to begin in October and expected to be completed by January 2006.

The RBI will allow an open-access advanced broadband network to provide wholesale dark fiber and managed high-speed bandwidth services to rural Virginia where services do not currently exist. The RBI will also bring increased competition for Competitive Local Exchange Carriers and Internet Service Providers as well as other competitive carriers, which should result in lower costs for high-speed Internet connections for citizens.

The initiative stems from a collaboration between the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission (VTICRC), the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration, and the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative, a Richmond-based nonprofit organization formed to manage the project's funds of $6 million from VTICRC and another $6 million from EDA.

A June 18 announcement of the initiative is available through Gov. Mark Warner's press office at: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/

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Tech Council News

Convergence Group Formed in Silicon Valley
Joint Venture: Silicon Valley, the lead regional economic development organization for the well known valley, helped announce the formation of the Technology Convergence Consortium. Outlined in Joint Venture's Next Silicon Valley strategic plan, the new group's purpose will be to provide a forum enabling the valley's entrepreneurs to take advantage of the interdisciplinary nature of the fields of biotechnology and nanotechnology.

Florida Losing Regional Tech Council
Ten years since its creation, a regional nonprofit tech council serving the Orlando area will officially cease operations in October. Launched in 1995 as an initiative of Enterprise Florida, Central Florida Innovation Corporation's mission has been to create and build high wage, high growth potential companies in Central Florida. In recent years, CFIC has operated in a self-sufficient financial structure, without dependence on government grants or charitable contributions.

Two Trade Associations Created in Georgia
More than two years in the making, the Southeastern Medical Device Association (SEMDA) held its inaugural event earlier this spring in Atlanta. The organization will serve as a networking community to assist inventors and entrepreneurs in locating sources of financing and navigating licensing and regulatory issues. SEMDA is expected to provide members with information on topics such as fundraising, domestic and international regulatory issues, commercial and university licensing, commercialization of technology, intellectual property and negotiating strategies.

On a separate front, approximately 180 people attended the first meeting of the Georgia Wireless Association, held May 25 in Atlanta. Modeled after state-level similar wireless associations in Alabama and Tennessee, the new group will focus on building the industry within Georgia.

Idaho Biotech Organized
The creation of the Idaho Bioscience Association (BIO Idaho) in early June means BIO, the trade organization of the biotech industry, now has affiliates in 37 states. "BIO Idaho was formed to create a strong alliance between universities and biotechnology industries from all regions of Idaho," said Philip Syrdal, BIO Idaho's president and former chief executive officer of an international immunology company. "The association's primary role will be to enhance the development of the bioscience industry in Idaho, promoting the creation and retention of the state's intellectual capital by focusing on the process of transferring promising technology into the private sector for investment and development."

NACFAM Changes Name
To better reflect its evolving role as a nonprofit think tank and not a lobbying organization, NACFAM has changed its name to the National Council for Advanced Manufacturing. The C originally stood for Coalition. More information about the group is available at: http://www.nacfam.org

Michigan's Automation Alley Expanding
Construction is underway for the new headquarters of Automation Alley, Southeast Michigan's regional technology cluster. Opening in fall of 2004, the new facility will house the Automation Alley Technology Center, Automation Alley Member Consortium activities and the GLIMA Network, the Association of Interactive Professionals. Funding for the building was derived from several sources including $2.2 million in state and federal grants. To more accurately reflect the geographic distribution of its 485+ affiliate organizations, Automation Alley also recently expanded its service area to an eight-county region.

Minnesota Manufacturing for More Muscle
Twenty-three associations serving the manufacturing state's manufacturing community launched a Minnesota Manufacturing Coalition at the state's Manufacturing Tomorrow summit in April. The coalition enables associations serving manufacturers to “speak with one voice” on issues that are common to companies regardless of size or sector. Members are meeting bimonthly to identify the highest priority subjects that deserve attention from both state and federal policymakers.

Polymer Cluster Created in Mississippi
The Mississippi Technology Alliance led efforts to create the Mississippi Polymer Cluster Organization to promote better synergy and cooperation among the state's 350 polymer-related businesses. The new cluster group was designed to encourage economic growth, serve as a united voice for the polymer industry, and provide members with a variety of benefits, including: networking and work-sharing opportunities; workforce and educational trainings; and cooperative buying group opportunities.

Huntington, WV Gains Biotech Alliance
In late May, Marshall University and the Huntington Area Development Council (HADCO) formally agreed to form a Biotech Alliance to help develop the region's biotech industry. Initial funding for the group includes a $25,000 grant from the state and $50,000 HADCO raised from several sources. The alliance will focus on marketing, educational and promotional activities.

Southeastern Wisconsin Manufacturing Group Formed
The Tri-County Business Partnerships, a nonprofit economic development organization serving Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties in Wisconsin, has launched a new industry-government-academic collaborative to serve the manufacturing community within Southeastern Wisconsin. The alliance has identified 12 key objectives to guide its efforts to sustain and grow the region's manufacturing base.

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S&T Job Opportunities
Two new posting were added to SSTI's online Job Corner this week. Brief descriptions are provided below. More information is available at: http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm

Economic Development Administration -- Director of Strategic Initiatives
The Economic Development Administration, within the U.S. Department of Commerce, seeks applicants for a director for the office of strategic initiatives. Based at EDA headquarters in Washington, D.C., the director will develop and manage national research and evaluation projects that determine the causes of economic distress, assist in formulating and implementing new and innovative economic development tools and programs, and to evaluate the effectiveness and economic impact of economic development programs, projects, and techniques. Applications from U.S. citizens will be accepted until July 1.

Maine Technology Institute -- Director and President
The Maine Department of Economic & Community Development is seeking candidates to fill the position of Director of the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) and serve as its President. MTI was created by the Maine Legislature in 1999 to "stimulate, encourage, promote and support research and development leading to the commercialization of new products and services in the state's technology-intensive industrial sectors."  Since then, the organization has distributed more than $17 million to 400-plus projects across the state. Resume reviews will begin on July 5.

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People

Former Michigan Governor John Engler, also chairman of SSTI's Board of Directors, has been chosen to serve as president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers. He will assume his new position on Oct. 1, 2004.

Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism commissioner W. Glenn Cornell has announced his retirement, effective June 30. Craig Lesser is Gov. Sonny Perdue's recommendation as Cornell's successor.

Brian Mefford will assume the position of president and CEO of Kentucky's Center for Information Technology Enterprise.

The NanoBusiness Alliance has named Sean Murdock to serve as its new executive director.

Baiju Shah is the new president of the Cleveland's BioEnterprise Corp., succeeding Matt Jennings.

The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology has named Sheri Stickley interim executive director, following the resignation of William Sibley.

Pete Tartline has resigned his position as president and CEO of the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania.

Tina Van Camp has been named the director of the South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development.

Former president and CEO of the Columbus Technology Council William "Sandy" White is the new CEO of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Research Foundation.

The board of directors of Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center (MAMTC) has appointed Lavon Winkler as its new president and CEO.

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