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Maryland is poised to become a major force in biotechnology and life sciences. The Old Line state has been ranked second in the United States for its ability to capitalize on growth in the arena of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Maryland’s strategic proximity to Washington, D. C. forms a nexus for federal organizations such as the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Rockville and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda. Additionally, a wealth of scientific research is provided by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, the Naval Medical Research Center in Silver Spring, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, also of Silver Spring, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Chevy Chase.

Many prestigious academic institutions enrich life science research for Maryland. Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, the first research university in the United States, continues its legacy of excellence in research. Additionally, the Johns Hopkins Institutions, combining the university and Johns Hopkins Health System, make up Maryland’s largest employer and provide approximately $7 billion in income to the state. The University has recently embarked on the creation of a large new life sciences park adjacent to the Johns Hopkins medical campus in Baltimore, which should provide ample laboratory and office space for collaborative efforts between Johns Hopkins and other research organizations.

The University of Maryland, centered in College Park, has received nearly $7 million in Howard Hughes Medical Institute awards since 1992, helping to build a promising base for students in research. Additionally, the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute serves as a hub for research and education in biotechnology.

Several other research centers add to Maryland’s wealth of scientific resources. The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR), a not-for-profit research center in Rockville, has been a leader in the field of genomics research since its inception in 1992. The complete genomes of over 50 organisms have been sequenced by TIGR and its affiliates.

The J. Craig Venter Institute, another not-for-profit research institute in Rockville, promotes the advancement of genomics and works collaboratively with the public and scientific arenas for understanding of the science.

Nearly 320 life science companies reside in Maryland, ranking the state fourth in the nation for the number of biotechnology firms. This is most impressive considering that Maryland’s presence as a biotech force is relatively new. These ground-breaking companies include MedImmune in Gaithersburg; Celera Genomics in Rockville; Gene Logic Inc. in Gaithersburg; Human Genome Sciences in Rockville; EntreMed Inc., also in Rockville, and many other pharmaceutical and life sciences corporations.

The state of Maryland helps to foster growth in the biotechnology sector by offering the Biotechnology Investment Tax Credit, which gives income tax credits for qualified corporations, firms, and individuals investing in Maryland’s biotech companies. This tax credit particularly proves to be an asset to companies in early stages of development.

With its strategic location and impressive pedigree of universities and institutions, Maryland boasts plentiful opportunities to further its promise as a major presence in the life science industry.

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