Elton John Pushes for More AIDS Work

Singer Elton John told an international biotechnology conference that the world's governments and industries are "ignoring reality" when it comes to the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS. John said Tuesday the organizations fighting the AIDS epidemic are fighting the stigma of the disease as much as they are the virus itself. He spoke to thousands gathered at the Georgia World Congress Center for the 2009 BIO International Convention. The singer launched the Elton John AIDS Foundation in the United States in 1992 and in the United Kingdom a year later after watching dozens of his friends die of the disease. The foundation has raised more than $150 million to support programs in 55 countries.

(Associated Press)

BIO Conference Focuses on Diversity

The Biotechnology Industry Organization, or BIO, is holding it's annual conference at the Georgia World Congress Center. And much of Monday mornings focus was on creating diversity in the bio workplace, and also, using bio sciences to help close heath gaps among different ethnic groups. About two hundred people came to the
meeting to see Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, among other speakers.

Lisa Gibson attended the workshop, she's the President of the Hawaii Technology and Science Council, and she says the lack of diversity means an absence of viewpoints as new medicines and other bio-applications are made.

"We need all people. It's a crisis for the country, and people need to be paying attention."

The national Science Foundation estimates only eight percent of science and engineering degrees are earned by Blacks and Latinos. And only 28 percent of these science graduates are women, according to that same study.

Bio Industry: Gov. Perdue's Our Guy

Just in from the Governor's Press Office: Gov. Sonny Perdue has been named Bio Governor of the year. That award come's from the Biotechnology Industry Organization, or, cleverly enough, BIO.

The group hailed Perdue's efforts to grow bio-sciences in Georgia. Perdue is probably best known for his push to limit liability lawsuits against Georgia-based bio companies. The group, however, also noted other efforts in a statement. Here's a sample:

“Governor Perdue’s support of biotechnology has been vital for our industry’s success in Georgia” said Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO. “He has been a stalwart advocate of the biosciences in Georgia and truly understands the promise of our industry to provide revolutionary therapies and cures for patients, increase agricultural sustainability and develop alternative fuels. In addition, I would like to personally thank the Governor and his team at the Department of Economic Development for being such great partners in helping to plan and organize the upcoming 2009 BIO International Convention.”

You can find the entire announcement here.

Governor's Lawsuit Bill Not Immune From Critique

At the beginning of this session, Governor Sonny Perdue said drug companies that make Food and Drug Administration approved products should be immune from civil lawsuits. Perdue believes that would help foster drug and bio tech business in the state at a time when the economic slowdown is crunching most budgets around the nation.

A proposal modeled on Perdue's vision was introduced earlier this week. SB 101 reads, in part:

"A manufacturer or seller shall be immune from civil liability for any claim based on strict liability for a defect in the design of a drug or device if the drug or device was approved for safety and efficacy by the FDA."

Supporters say it will help spur growth in the sector.

But consumer advocate group Georgia Watch disagrees with that claim. They cite a Michigan law that, according to an aide of Sen. John Gleason, has driven business away. “This bill was touted in Michigan as a job creator,” said John LaMacchia in a Georgia Watch statement. “However, since its enactment, the presence of pharmaceutical companies has shrunk. The large Pfizer facility in Ann Arbor down-sized and no new companies are moving in,” he said.

Of course, business all across Michigan has diminished. The state's unemployment rate is in the double digits.

Georgia Watch head Allison Wall makes another argument.

“This bill lets drug companies off the hook, plain and simple, even if the product hurts or kills someone. Georgians would have no recourse, no hope of accountability, period.”

It's been argued by proponents of similar proposals that because the FDA approves a drug, liability for the product's safety should rest with the agency.

Magazine says Medical College of Georgia's bio-business incubator in Augusta ranks among top in country

The Medical College of Georgia's business incubator in Augusta has been named as one of the top five organizations in the U.S. helping biotechnology businesses.

Expansion Solutions magazine ranked the incubator on its recruiting, retaining and assisting of these businesses.

The incubator provides space, equipment and mentoring services for its tenants.

MCG's incubator currently houses four entrepreneurial businesses, including one working on a new anthrax vaccine and another specializing in cord blood banking and the cryopreservation of reproductive tissue.

Berry College Uses Bio Technology

Berry College now uses biotechnology to protect its faculty and student’s personal information.

The technology is called Bio Password. It measures the rhythm of a person’s keystrokes. When faculty wants to access protected information they type a password. The software then looks for how the word is typed.

The Chief Information Officer at Berry College, Tim Farnham, said bio password is more reliable than other forms of biotechnology like hand scans or fingerprint systems.

“It turns out every person types differently. You could recognize who was sending teletypes in the 1860’s by their rhythm, and they’d know who it was. You can’t fake that,” said Farnham.

Normally, biotechnology is used for physical access to buildings like dorms. But protecting the database with it, is worth the investment, which is about $12,000 a year, said Farnham. To sort out a security breech would cost around $140,000, said officials.

Drug testing company to bring 400 new jobs

Georgia officials' attempts to create a biotechnology building spree may be paying off.

Now, a company that tests new drugs on humans says it will expand its headquarters in suburban Atlanta.

Quintiles will invest $19 million in the project, which will double its size to 850 employees and consolidate its two Atlanta area offices under one roof in Marietta.

Company CEO Dennis Gillings says the local resources ensure his drug-testing business will grow.

"With the CDC here, with a lot of fabulous universities here, and a lot of medical schools and a lot of biotechnology companies, a lot of research entitles, clearly there’s a huge spread of capabilities here in the Atlanta area," he said.

Georgia ranks seventh in the nation in recruiting life-sciences companies. Officials say the industry brings the state prestige and well-paid jobs.