Bioscience

Jump ahead to:
Industry Overview
Bioscience by the Numbers
Cluster Strengths
Cluster Challenges
Key Organizations
Cluster Initiatives
Cluster Contact
 

Industry Overview

The scope of Oregon's bioscience industry includes research and development, and the manufacturing and sales of medical instruments and devices; medical diagnostics; human and animal therapeutics; pharmaceutical intermediates and processes; food and agricultural products; reagents and services based on biotechnology; and computer systems and software for managing health care technology and services. The largest industry subgroups include medical devices, sponsored life science research, diagnostics, research services and equipment, biotechnology and biological product manufacturing.

 There are over 400 traded sector companies generating over $4.1 billion in sales, employing over 14,000 employees with an average annual wage of over $56,000.

Bioscience by the Numbers

             Source: Oregon Bioscience Association, ECONorthwest and Battelle Institute

Cluster Strengths

• Oregon has an active Entrepreneurial environment with a penchant for innovation, open collaboration and creative roots. Oregonians have the drive and capacity to make things happen, and they are doing just that. Our economy is global in scale and one where knowledge is key for wealth and job creation, and in which ideas, innovation and technology are embedded in all sectors.
• Oregon has above average performance:
  • Oregon is among the top 10 states in terms of foreign exports per gross state product (GSP).
  • The state awards more science and engineering degrees than the national average.
  • Oregon ranks 2nd among all states in industry R&D as a share of its GSP.
  • The state ranks in the top 10 in patents per capita.
  • Compared to the US, Oregon has a higher than average percent of jobs in sectors that generate the majority of patents and new products.
  • Universities are engaged in technology-based economic development and received a record amount in grant funding in 2010.
• Oregon Translational Research and Drug Development Institute (OTRADI) is the first of what will likely be more bio-based scientific research corporations.
• Several major bioscience companies have a presence in the state.
• Oregon continues to spawn startup bioscience companies in all four sub clusters.

Cluster Challenges

• Tax measures 66 & 67 have had the unintended consequence of causing grant moneys to be taxed. The further complication is that such grant moneys cannot be used to pay the taxes leaving the burden to the grant recipient to pay the taxes from their own pocket. This is an obvious detriment to innovation in Oregon and places an undue burden on the researchers who bring millions of dollars into the state.  
• A statewide need for access to funding for seed, early and advanced stage companies.
• Universities must increase their impact on bioscience industry development.
• Oregon needs to fill in the gaps in its bioscience industry infrastructure.
• Oregon must address the gaps in managerial talent and top scientific talent.

Key Organizations

The Oregon Bioscience Association is the principal organization for the cluster.  Oregon Bio’s mission is topromote the growth and quality of the bioscience industry in Oregon through: Community, Collaboration and Commercialization.

Key industry partners include the Oregon Translational Research and Drug Institute (OTRADI), the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI), Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Oregon Business Development Department ("Business Oregon"), the Portland Development Commission, Lane Metro Partnership, Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), Oregon Science and Technology Partnership, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) as well as other infrastructure organizations which service the industry cluster.

 Notable companies include Genentech, A-Dec, Intel Digital Health,Biotronik, Tyco Medical, Welch Allyn, Invitrogen/Life Technologies, Acumed, Bend Research, Home Dialysis Plus,S-Ray, Suterra, Oregon Freeze Dry, Thortex, Precision Wire Components, Tec Labs, HemCon, Neurocom, Electrical Geodesics, Inovise Medical,  SAM Medical Products, Micro Power Systems, Mitosciences, Bioject, FEI, Yecuris and many more.

Cluster Initiatives

Improve local funding for seed, early- and later-stage companies 

• Reform tax measures 66 & 67 which have had the unintended consequence of causing grant moneys to be taxed, since such grant moneys cannot be used to pay the taxes (leaving the burden to the grant recipient to pay the taxes from their own pocket). 
• Support a sustainable pipeline of financing sources, including angel, seed and venture funding as well as university and signature research center funding.
• Enhance angel funding through:
  • Personal state tax credits i.e. similar to the situation for university foundation investments.
  • State matching of angel investments.
  • Reduce/eliminate the capital gains tax on such investments.
• Fund an Oregon BioSeed Fund targeted at early stage companies.
• Expand and stabilize support for Small Business Innovation Research grant applications and provide matching and gap funds to leverage this significant funding source.
• Re-examine and modify the Public Employee Retirement System investment strategy to encourage more venture funds specializing in the Biosciences to make investments in Oregon. 

Increase University  Impact on Bioscience Industry Development

• Recruit research staff to fill key bioscience competence gaps in the university system.
• Increase commercialization of university-based intellectual property.  

Enhance Bioscience Industry Infrastructure

• Create a system of accelerators/incubators which contain wet lab and clean room space.
• Create incentives for private developers to build wet lab and clean room space.
• Help universities to become more accessible and "user friendly" to early stage bioscience companies.

Address the Gaps of Managerial Talent and Top Scientific Talent

• Build a pipeline of leadership talent.
• Through state/private fellowships, increase the number of quality graduates.
• Ensure that there is a Biotech Management option in MBA programs within the Oregon University System.
• Expand the Health Science Professional Management certificates available from Oregon University System.
• Create an executive level Bioscience Mentoring Program.

Other Opportunities:  

• Provide incentives for organizations to purchase Oregon-made technologies and products.
• Work with Oregon Business Development Department to develop a package for the 2011 legislative session. 

Cluster Contact

For more information on how you can help strengthen Oregon's bioscience industry, connect with the Oregon Bioscience Association by visiting their website or contact their Executive Director Dennis McNannay.