Biocom and BayBio Release First Ever California Life Science Industry Economic Impact and Workforce Trends Reports at the BIO International Convention

SAN DIEGO, June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Biocom, the association for the Southern California life science community, and BayBio, the association for the Northern California life science community, today released the California Economic Impact Report, a collaborative evaluation of the state of the life science industry in California. Concurrently, the BayBio and Biocom Institutes released a companion report that highlights the industry's current and anticipated demand for talent. These first-of-their-kind reports, released at the BIO International Convention in San Diego, illustrate the significant positive impact that the industry has on California's economy and the talent needed to sustain that growth. 

Highlights from the Economic Impact Report:

• California's life science cluster is an economic engine for the state, creating $258 billion in economic activity, generating over 1 million jobs that pay $76 billion in salaries, wages and benefits.
• California companies introduced eight new therapeutics to patients in 2013, representing nearly half of the new molecular entities launched last year.
• California continued to lead the nation in funding innovative science. NIH funding topped $1.3 billion for San Francisco Bay Area institutions, and San Diego organizations received $938 million. More than $1.4 billion in venture capital funding poured into California life science companies to drive the development of new innovations.
• Between 2010 and 2012, total science, technology, engineering and math degree completions grew 13% in the San Francisco Bay Area and 21% in the San Diego region.

Highlights from the Workforce Trends Report:

• The overall number of hires in the life science industry is expected to increase over the next two years, particularly in the drugs and pharmaceuticals sector; and in parallel with R&D, regulatory compliance and quality.
• The industry is increasingly in need of integrated skills: scientists with business acumen and professionals who can scale business globally, form and maintain successful partnerships, build efficient infrastructure for product development and delivery, and work in teams across disciplines and geographies.
• Industry-academic partnerships are critical to ensuring the development of the talent needed to sustain ongoing innovation in the industry.

"The statewide economic analysis demonstrates the amazingly positive impact the life science industry has on the state of California, not just in terms of creating life-saving treatments for patients, but also in terms of driving the economy forward and creating a highly-educated, well-paid workforce," said Joe Panetta, president and CEO of Biocom. "I'm proud of the contribution that life science companies in the Southern California region are making to the state's economy, and look forward to the continued growth of our cluster over the next year as we project additional new job creation beyond the 110,000 people already employed by the 2,525 establishments in the region."

Gail Maderis, president and CEO of BayBio added, "The biotechnology industry was born right here in California, with the Bay Area being home to the first biotech company, the first biotech public offering, and the first biotech drug approved by the FDA. What started out as an industry in its infancy in 1976 has grown into a diverse hub for life science research, development and educational activities, as well as the manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals and medical devices used by patients in need around the world."

The full reports can be obtained at: http://www.califescience.org

"In order for our industry to continue as an economic engine for the state of California, we need to understand its evolving talent needs and how to best meet them," said Lori Lindburg, executive director of the BayBio Institute. "In short, as our industry continues to create jobs, it is critical that we have people prepared to step into those jobs."

Liisa Bozinovic, executive director of the Biocom Institute added, "This report serves as a roadmap for ensuring that we are supporting the industry by adequately preparing our workforce: through industry and academic partnerships, informing legislators where training dollars are most needed, and helping companies develop their internal talent."

The workforce analysis was a collaboration between the BayBio and Biocom Institutes, the East Bay Biomedical Manufacturing Network, the Design i-Build it – Ship it initiative, and the CalBiotech Careers program.

About Biocom

Biocom is one of the largest regional life science associations in the world, representing more than 600 member companies in Southern California. The association focuses on initiatives that position the region's life science industry competitively on the world stage, and on the development and delivery of innovative products that improve health and quality of life. For more information on BIOCOM or the Southern California biotechnology and medical device community, please visit the organization's Web site at www.biocom.org or call (858) 455-0300.

About Biocom Institute

Biocom Institute supports life science innovation and success in Southern California by providing our community of current and budding life science professionals with innovative, industry-vetted training programs and STEM outreach. For more information on the Biocom Institute, please visit www.biocominstitute.org or call (858) 455-0300.

About BayBio

BayBio brings together the collective strength and experience of the world's most innovative and productive life science cluster, helping companies grow, connect and advocate to solve some of humanity's most pressing challenges.  BayBio provides comprehensive support and solutions tailored to the unique needs of nearly 1000 Bay Area life science companies and institutions, delivering tangible value through group purchasing savings, capital access, government affairs & advocacy, networking and best-practice sharing. BayBio also supports the future of bioscience innovation through the BayBio Institute's work in science education, career development and entrepreneurship. For more information on BayBio, please visit www.baybio.org or call (650) 871-3250

About BayBio Institute

The BayBio Institute strives to maintain Northern California's leadership in life science innovation through support of entrepreneurship, science education and life science career development, ensuring that the economic and intellectual power of the region's life science industry and its employees remains strong. For more information on the BayBio Institute, please visit: www.baybioinstitute.org or call (650) 871-3253

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SOURCE Biocom