Report: Calif. manufacturing lags R&D

California drug development companies have poured billions of dollars into drug R&D, making the state one of the world's biggest hubs for biomedical research. However, a new report from BayBio finds that, from a manufacturing standpoint, the state isn't prepared to deal with its success. Over the next decade, as many as 210 new therapies could be approved. However, California lacks the infrastructure and expertise to manufacturing all of those drugs.

"Right now we as the state are not prepared to capture these investments that are coming down the pipeline in California," Matt Garden, president of BayBio, said in the group's report. "We need California to get its priorities straight. Promoting investment in the innovation economy is rightfully a main concern, but we ignore the fruits of that research by letting multimillion dollar manufacturing gems like Genentech expand in a neighboring state with a favorable tax policy." The state needs to invest in manufacturing capabilities so that it can bring pipeline drugs to the bedside.

- here's the article for more

ALSO: In the same report, BayBio said that many biotech jobs are unfilled because the state's science education programs aren't delivering as many researchers as needed. The problem is likely to get worse before it gets better, as California's budget problems will prevent more funds from going to science education. Report

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