Support expansion of biotech workforce

Generally, we have thought of the agriculture industry in Iowa as the entity keeping Iowa's economy better off than the rest of the nation during this global downturn. While that is true, other sectors have contributed greatly to our ability to weather this storm, namely the biosciences industry.

A Battelle Memorial Institute/Innovate Iowa Report issued in early October cites many of the key reasons that biotechnology in Iowa is a strong economic driver. Medical technology and innovative cures and treatments for chronic disease are a component of this success.

To continue this momentum, our elected leaders need to recognize both the financial gain of assisting this sector, but also the personal gains involved in saving the lives of Iowans.

Our advantages in biotechnology will be short lived if we do not provide needed resources to support the expansion of the biotech workforce, enhanced markets for products and the availability of capital resources for start up programs.

Tom Swegle

Vice President,

Iowa Biotech Association

CEO, MedCara Pharmaceuticals LLC

Conrad