Press Releases

Governor's Summit on Capital Speaker to Compare Madison and Milwaukee to Leading U.S. Biotech Regions

(Madison) Joseph Cortright, a nationally known expert on the development of U.S. biotech regions will address attendees at the Governor's Summit on Capital 2002. InvestWisconsin, producer of the conference, retained Mr. Cortright, and his firm Impresa, to provide an original research report that evaluates leading U.S. metropolitan areas and includes how Madison and Milwaukee compare to them.

Mr. Cortright, author of an upcoming Brookings Institution study on the U.S. biotech industry, will present his data and analysis as part of a Summit general session on the national perspective. A regional perspectives session will explore collaborative opportunities for Midwestern states and a state perspectives session will delve into ways Wisconsin might better mold its business environment.

"We've mapped out, for the 50 leading US metro areas, the levels of research activity, patenting, private investment, new firm formation and biotech employment," said Mr. Cortright. "Our report highlights the critical role of local entrepreneurship and private investment in triggering the development of successful biotech clusters. The investment and commercialization measures are of particular interest because our research show them to be the critical differentiator between biotech leaders and wannabes."

Mr. Cortright notes that the bulk of the U.S biotech industry is concentrated in nine leading areas that have dominated research and commercialization of the biotech industry. He will also tell Summit participants how those areas developed a big lead and will outline the scale of commitment required to be among them.

"This report will add a unique dimension to the event," said Governor Scott McCallum. "It provides key information about how Wisconsin stacks up to the rest of the country. I look forward to learning more about where our opportunities lie."

The Summit will be held March 19-20, 2002 at the Midwest Express Center in Milwaukee. The registration fee of $175 is available until March 11 and increases to $200 after that date. It includes admission to all workshops and activities for both days. A block of hotel rooms is set aside for conference participants at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center at a special rate of $89 per night plus tax (phone: 414-271-7250). A registration form and additional Summit information are available at: www.wdfi.org.