Dive Brief:
- During the THRiVE 2015 biosciences conference on Thursday, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe said that his state needs to "get in the game" when it comes to boosting the biotech and life sciences industry, the Washington Business Journal reports.
- McAuliffe announced that Virginia would create an online portal wherein researchers and firms can post information about their various biotech projects.
- The ultimate purpose of this portal would be for life sciences-related employers to use the information to recruit scientific talent and pursue investments.
Dive Insight:
Biotech is a sizzling industry and no state—especially one with the data and research capacity of Virginia—wants to get left behind.
McAuliffe's push for a life sciences revamp in the Commonwealth has multiple parts, including the online portal. And it's being greeted enthusiastically by the industry experts in attendance at THRiVE, who are seeking for the state government's support in promoting a steadily growing biotech industry in Virginia.
McAuliffe elaborated on the need for greater state investments, as well as the online portal, in the industry in comments to Washington Business Journal's Tina Reed. "I’m working with these university presidents to get them to collaborate with each other and have a strategic plan," said McAuliffe. "I’m willing to invest, I’m willing to authorize a big bonding initiative to help with research facilities. But I need a strategic plan. I don’t want to duplicate. We have to do a better job of coming together because we have all the assets here."