John W. Manzetti and the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse Recognized as 2011 Outstanding Leader in Technology

PITTSBURGH, March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Peter M. DeComo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG), the organization providing capital investments and customized company formation and business growth services to the region's life sciences enterprises, today congratulated John W. Manzetti and the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse for being named the 2011 Outstanding Leadership in Technology category winner at the 2011 Pennsylvania Technology Awards Gala in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Friday, March 18, 2011. The Gala now in its 19th year showcases Pennsylvania's leading technology and innovations. PLSG was among 120 nominees that were recognized at this year's event.

The Outstanding Leadership in Technology category was presented by Comcast Business Class Services. During the ceremony Joel Ewer of Comcast Business Class Services said, "What a great honor to be nominated and recognized tonight at the 2011 Pennsylvania Technology Awards Gala. Congratulations to all of you. Comcast is proud of our Pennsylvania roots, and Strengthening Pennsylvania is at our core. We are excited to help celebrate the nominees, finalists and winners."

"It is an honor to congratulate John and the PLSG team on this distinguished award," said Peter M. DeComo. "Winning the Outstanding Leadership in Technology award recognized the PLSG's successful efforts to build upon our region's existing strengths to make western Pennsylvania a worldwide hub for research, clinical care and biosciences entrepreneurs whose companies will be global leaders in the life sciences."

About the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG)

The PLSG invests in and supports the growth of biosciences companies in southwestern Pennsylvania. The PLSG has investment and business growth programs to increase the linkage between research, technology and commercialization; nurture and develop entrepreneurial biosciences enterprises; grow the region's talent pool in the life sciences; and help biosciences firms locate, expand or start-up in the Greater Pittsburgh region. Since its inception in 2001, PLSG has already helped 323 life sciences companies and has helped create or retain more than 5,000 jobs in the region. 34 companies have been provided with office or laboratory space and 13 have been relocated to Pittsburgh from outside of the region. In addition, the PLSG has invested $16.6 M in 61 companies which has leveraged over $600 million in additional capital to the region. www.plsg.com

About TechQuest Pennsylvania

TechQuest Pennsylvania was created by inspired professionals to lead the growth and development of Pennsylvania's technology industry. Today, TechQuest Pennsylvania is one of the leading, results-driven, non-profit organizations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. To incubate industry growth, TechQuest leaders continuously strategize to identify tech sectors, or public policy issues that require an action in order to help grow Pennsylvania's $575 Billion dollar economy, TechQuest's recently updated strategic mission plan focuses on heating-up four frozen tech sectors: (1) Health Information Technology, (2) Infrastructure Technology, (3) Government Technology, and (4) Talent Development for the Technology Industry. www.techquestpa.com.

SOURCE Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse