In times of double digit unemployment, it’s especially heartening to see one industry grow. Biotech jobs now account for one in six positions in the Greater Philadelphia region. Think about that. Dr. Timothy Block, co-creator of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County certainly has.

“This is our future,” said Dr. Block, in an article that appeared in yesterday’s Buck’s County Courier Times. “[These jobs] are not only the future of Bucks County, they are one of the key components in our competitiveness in the world. This is still one of the things we do best.”

The Philadelphia region has abundant universities, hospitals, and biotech incubators – all critical to innovation and growing the industry.

“We hope that when companies outgrow our facilities, they reseed and stay close in the area,” said Dr. Block in an interview with IAmBiotech.

And in fact, one company has moved from the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center and relocated to Northern New Jersey. But that’s the only defection in 2009. In fact, nine new companies opened their doors in the Bucks County facility during the past year.

“We’ve gone from 160 to 220 jobs in our building in 2009,” said Dr. Block. “We can’t underestimate the importance of our community – our legislators and congressmen because they have been so supportive.”

During an awful economy, that’s some news that any city or regional business leader would love to have.

And the lessons from the Philly region resonate nationally.

“In times of double digit unemployment, we’re still seeing new biotech company’s spin out of academia and expand their workforce, said Patrick Kelly, VP, State Government Relations for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). “This industry remains a particularly good bet in regions such as Greater Philadelphia that possess a healthy mix of talent and capitol. This is not a zero sum game and the municipalities that foster innovation will continue to thrive in the biotech sector.”

Way to grow, Philly!

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