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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: Michelle Reardon |
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Thursday, June 22, 2000 |
302/577-8701 |
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Newark, DE - Calling it the "single most important component of the state's biotechnology initiative," Governor Thomas R. Carper hailed the Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI) as Vincent J. Corbo, chairman, president and CEO of Hercules, Inc. pledged $1 million over the next five years, marking a commitment by one of the world's chemical giants to the Institute and the state's biotechnology initiative. Governor Carper joined Mr. Corbo, University of Delaware President David Roselle, and Dr. David Weir, Director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute at an announcement this morning at the construction site for the Institute's home at the Delaware Technology Park. "Our approach to promoting quality biotechnology jobs and companies included supporting the creation of the Delaware Technology Park and the Delaware Biotechnology Institute," said Governor Carper, who is a member of the Governor's National Biotechnology Partnership, a working group of governors of states with biotechnology businesses. "Last year I asked the General Assembly to provide $15 million to foster the creation of the Biotech Institute. Next week I hope to hear from our state legislators that the second installment will be granted, bringing the state's commitment to $10 million." Governor Carper added, "Today's announcement is an investment by Hercules, but it is also a commitment by the Delaware Biotechnology Institute to take life sciences research in a new and innovative direction, and to explore new biological advances that will provide new technologies for Hercules, Inc. and other chemical companies. I am proud this new partnership is taking place in Delaware - a state recognized for its history of innovation." Since its creation in 1999, the Delaware Biotechnology Institute has received strong support from Delaware's biggest corporations including Hercules, Inc., the DuPont Company and AstraZeneca. The Delaware Biotechnology Institute is an evolution of the Advanced Technology Center for Agricultural Biotechnology. Created by the state under the 21st Century Fund in 1996, the Center's primary research focus was on advances in agricultural biotechnology, specifically for the Delmarva Peninsula poultry industry. The Delaware Biotechnology Institute pursues research in the agricultural and pharmaceutical fields. The partnership created by the DBI and Hercules, Inc. expands the core research disciplines to include biotechnology for chemistry applications. The partnership created by the DBI and Hercules, inc. brings the latest biotechnology science to Delaware. Known as 'directed evolution,' this partnership will explore new technologies that are speeding up the evolution process by finding ways to genetically engineer enzymes so they work faster. For example, Hercules is currently using biotechnology in their paper-making chemical processes. The new research has the opportunity to expand Hercules existing pipeline of products as well as improve already existing chemical processes. Though research is the main role of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, the Institute is also a key economic development tool used by the state to encourage other biotechnology companies to locate in Delaware. Over the past year, several biotech start-ups have moved into the Delaware Technology Park including Next Century International, Quest Pharmaceuticals, Optigenix among others, creating over 100 new Delaware jobs. The state's economic development strategy of diversifying the economy with an infusion of technology jobs has also successfully attracted biotechnology companies in Kent and Sussex counties. The Delaware Biotechnology Institute is a collaborative research facility supported by Delaware higher institution interests, the state and the life sciences industry. The new 70,000 square foot Delaware Biotechnology Institute research facility at the Delaware Technology Park is set to open this fall, and will house a state-of-the art research laboratory and 150 researchers. |
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