STATE'S BIO-WORKFORCE TRAINING PARTNERSHIP GETS NEW NAME, LOGO

What once was a mouthful is now simply NCBIOIMPACT

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. | April 14, 2008 -- The educational partnership built to meet the workforce needs of North Carolina's life sciences industry, formerly known as the North Carolina Biomanufacturing and Pharmaceutical Training Consortium, is now NCBIOIMPACT.

The new name was chosen to improve recognition and streamline access to the collaboration of multiple North Carolina entities that provide a unique statewide training effort. The NCBIOIMPACT partnership has given North Carolina international recognition for its innovative training of employees for the specialized, high-paying jobs at the state's increasing array of biopharmaceutical manufacturers.

Sporting a new logo to go with its new name, NCBIOIMPACT combines education, industry and nonprofit organizations. They include the Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training & Education Center (BTEC) on North Carolina State University's Centennial Campus; the Biotechnology Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE), to be dedicated in June at N.C. Central University; the NC Community College System BioNetwork; the North Carolina Biotechnology Center; and the North Carolina Bioscience Organization (NCBIO).

Golden LEAF, a non-profit foundation that invests in long-term economic development projects in the state, provided $70 million in startup funding for the consortium -- its largest investment in a single enterprise.

This collaboration to train a job-ready workforce is attracting major biomanufacturing plants to North Carolina and is helping existing plants in the state to expand. For example, Merck will open a $300 million vaccine manufacturing facility next year that's expected to bring 200 jobs to Durham County, and Novartis is investing more than $267 million over five years in a new vaccine manufacturing plant in Holly Springs, to employ 350 people.

"I like to give people a simple explanation for biotechnology's value to North Carolinians -- 55,000 jobs at 450 companies that pay an average $30 an hour," said Norris Tolson, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Center. "Our state's quarter-century of growth in biotech employment is having a terrific impact on people's lives, and it wouldn't have been possible at this pace without this workforce preparation network."

Sam Taylor, president of NCBIO, the state's bioscience trade organization, commented, "NCBIOIMPACT is providing a constant flow of educated workers at all levels, which gives North Carolina a significant competitive advantage. This effort provides not only for entry-level employees, but also strengthens training programs for incumbent workers at companies already here."

At the new 82,500-square-foot BTEC facility, NCSU offers a new biomanufacturing sciences minor, a new degree program in bioprocessing sciences, and new degree options in existing engineering majors. BTEC offers a post-baccalaureate certificate and is supporting industry conferences and short courses. BTEC also has a contract with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to design, develop and deliver pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing training for its inspectors.

The nearby BioNetwork Capstone Center offers a range of industry-specific courses. The BioNetwork Mobile Laboratory takes the Capstone Center courses and training on the road and delivers them to industry and rural community college sites. The Validation Academy is a partnership involving BioNetwork, ISPE (International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers), and the N.C. Department of Commerce to provide training in the specialized Good Manufacturing Practices mandated by the FDA.

BioNetwork community colleges offer a range of specialized associate degrees, certificate and short courses statewide, designed with industry input. By training a pool of skilled workers, the BioNetwork plays a vital role in attracting and growing this industry cluster in the state.

The BRITE program at N.C. Central University will dedicate a 52,000-square-foot laboratory and classroom building in June for its new undergraduate and graduate degree programs in pharmaceutical science. BRITE has recruited industry-experienced faculty to provide targeted preparation for students and to initiate research programs in drug discovery and new manufacturing technology.

The Biotechnology Center is a private, non-profit corporation supported by the N.C. General Assembly. Its mission is to provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina by supporting biotechnology research, business and education statewide.

The new name and logo were developed with the assistance of Forma, a Raleigh-based marketing firm specializing in biotech, life science and high technology.

For more information about NCBIOIMPACT, contact:

North Carolina Central University BRITE
919-530-7001
brite.nccu.edu/
lyeh@nccu.edu

North Carolina State University BTEC
919-513-2000
www.btec.ncsu.edu
btecinfo@lists.ncsu.edu

North Carolina Community College System - BioNetwork
919-807-7155
www.ncbionetwork.org
info@ncbionetwork.org

North Carolina Biotechnology Center
(Dr. Kenneth Tindall)
919-541-9366
www.ncbiotech.org
ken_tindall@ncbiotech.org

North Carolina Bioscience Organization (NCBIO)
(Sam Taylor)
www.ncbioscience.org
info@ncbioscience.org