Biotech a Leader in Economy, Tolson Says
When our economy recovers, it's a good bet that the biotechnology sector will be one of those sectors leading the way.
Norris Tolson, President and CEO of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, recently discussed the results of North Carolina's 10-year, $1.2 billion investment in biotechnology, North Carolina's selection as the state with the best business climate seven out of the past eight years, and biotechnology sector development around the state.
"We are now one of the fastest growing segments of the economy in the state of North Carolina all across the broad spectrum of things that we do in biotech, including agriculture," Tolson said. "We now have about 55,000 of our citizens that are working in biotech, and we now have some 510 companies that do business across the spectrum in North Carolina."
He also talked about the quality of life and the educational opportunities North Carolina offers.
"One of the things that's helped us drive and grow our biotech business in north Carolina has been the great research and development that goes on at our the university systems," Tolson said. "Within a 25-mile radius of where I sit at the biotech center, we have three of the leading universities in the world in research and development in Duke, NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill."
Tolson was interviewed by Sky Radio for their in-flight radio program, "Industry Innovators". The show will air on US Airway flights during the months of May and June, and on Northwest Airlines in July.