Jobs For Connecticut Now

For Immediate Release: December 2, 2009

Connecticut Life Science, Business, and Economic Development Experts Discuss Connecticut’s Bioscience Future

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – Today a group of national and Connecticut-based partners hosted the Connecticut Bioscience Business Roundtable (BBR) event at the University of Connecticut in West Hartford. Bioscience represents a major source of potential economic development and jobs for Connecticut. The event featured remarks from Governor M. Jodi Rell, Congressman Chris Murphy, and Lt. Governor Michael Fedele.

“In this difficult economic time, the bioscience community is creating jobs and saving lives and Connecticut is at the center of the action,” said Paul Pescatello, President and CEO of Connecticut United for Research (CURE). “Connecticut possesses a powerful cluster of biopharmaceutical companies and our acclaimed educational institutions and knowledgeable business community are working together to ensure economic success and jobs for Connecticut. The Bioscience Business Roundtable offered a great opportunity for the open exchange of ideas about safeguarding this important industry in Connecticut.”

Connecticut’s bioscience industry represents a significant source of economic development and career opportunities. The most recent data available demonstrates that the Connecticut biopharmaceutical sector supports more than $14 billion in total economic output, directly supporting nearly 11,000 direct jobs and over 40,000 jobs in other sectors. http://www.archstoneconsulting.com/biopharmapdf/connecticut.pdf

BBR is a unified voice of leaders representing the biotechnology, life sciences, and biomedical research industries — collectively known as the bioscience community. Its mission is to promote public policies that on a local, state and federal level safeguard and sustain America’s place as the world leader in bioscience. The three tenets of BBR are to promote access, prevention and encourage innovation. This is achieved by building bridges of understanding between government leaders, the business community and academia on key issues facing Connecticut and the United States’ dynamic bioscience community.

Partners hosting today’s event included: the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce, Connecticut Business & Industry Association, Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development, Connecticut Development Authority, Connecticut Economic Development, Association, Connecticut Innovations, Connecticut State Missionary Baptist Convention, Connecticut Technology Council, Connecticut United for Research Excellence, Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Independent, Connecticut Petroleum Association, Jobs for New England Now, Metro Hartford Alliance, New England Venture Capital Association, St. Joseph College School of Pharmacy, Town of Groton Economic Development Commission, University of Connecticut Dept of Public Policy, Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce, Wesleyan University, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

For more information please visit www.Connecticutbbr.org.

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