WOODSTOCK (August 16, 2007) — The House Study Committee on Bioeconomic Development will begin holding hearings on Tuesday, August 21st to get recommendations from government, industry and university leaders on the adoption of a comprehensive plan for life sciences economic development in Georgia. The committee will also hold hearings on September 21st, October 16th and November 15th focusing on the commercialization of life sciences technologies in agriculture, bioenergy, medicine and drug manufacturing and medical devices. The Summit will be the final hearing on December 4th. All those who participated in the hearings will be invited to attend and comment on the final report.
House Speaker Glenn Richardson has appointed seven members to the committee, four House members and three industry representatives. Rep. Charlice Byrd will chair the committee. Joining her from the House are Reps. Karla Drenner, Larry O’Neal and Carl Rogers. The industry experts named to the committee are:
* Clifton A. Baile, Ph.D., Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Agricultural Biotechnology and Distinguished Professor in Animal Science and Foods & Nutrition at the University of Georgia;
* Fabrice Egros, Ph.D., MBA, President of UCB, Inc., in Smyrna, Georgia.;
* Russell M. Medford, M.D., Ph.D., scientific co-founder, President and CEO of AtheroGenics, Inc., in Alpharetta, Ga. Dr. Medford also is chair of the Georgia Biomedical Partnership.
Rep. Byrd said the committee will seek to develop sound principles and public policy to guide the State of Georgia in designing a comprehensive life sciences economic development strategy. The committee’s final report will identify existing strengths and weaknesses and will suggest how to utilize current resources and expertise within state government more efficiently. It will suggest legislation that will serve as a road map for creating, retaining and recruiting life sciences companies, moving Georgia into a 21st century bioeconomy.
“Although we are classified as a study committee, we will be much more,” Rep. Byrd said. “This issue has been studied enough. Now is the time for action. It is my intention to establish an aggressive agenda that will put in place a viable, competitive master plan for life sciences economic development in partnership with the state, industry and higher education.”
The committee was formed following House approval in April of HR 662. The resolution states: “Bioscience technologies form the foundation of a new bioeconomy and are driving innovations in healthcare, agriculture, renewable energy sources, industrial production, environmental management and national security.
“To become a leader in the bioeconomy, Georgia must unite government, industry and universities together in a comprehensive effort, thereby tying the state’s investments in university research, commercialization and economic development to measurable improvements in job growth, increases in tax revenues, and improvements in education, health and the overall quality of life for all Georgia’s citizens.”
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