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Contact: Di Saunders, OUS: 503-725-5714
Two
Oregon Bioscience Groups Merge Combined
strengths, resources will help organizations pursue common
objectives Portland, March 19 - The Oregon Bioscience Association (OBA) today announced that the Oregon Bioscience and Medical Technology Alliance (OBMTA) has merged with OBA. The merger comes after discussions between the organizations on combining their goals and resources in order to more efficiently move their
common agendas forward. Lanier, executive director of OBA. "Our shared goals of identifying opportunities for growth in the biosciences and medical technologies fields, and working with higher education to facilitate technology transfer into businesses and jobs, can now be more readily realized, and through a more cost-effective pathway," added Lanier. After the merger, the organizations will now be known collectively as the Oregon Bioscience
Association. forum for government agencies, business and academia to collaboratively address current and future issues affecting the industry. Providing the formal organization through which the 40 member businesses can work together to address the long-term development issues facing biotechnology, OBA has planned and led the
implementation of a long-term strategy for biosciences development in the state. and an OBMTA founder, said, "Within 5-7 years, bioscience and medical technology will be a major component of Oregon's economy, providing high quality jobs throughout the state. Our merger with OBA will help to ensure the successful nurturing of these industries, including strengthening the public-private partnership that will promote the transfer and commercialization of technology between the state's research
institutions and Oregon companies," noted Vines. establish a world-class research system that includes strong collaboration among industry, universities and health-care organizations. A key component of their mission is to recommend incentives and overcome barriers to the growth of the biosciences industries in Oregon, especially utilizing the intellectual assets of the
state's colleges and universities. billion in 1992 to almost $29 billion in 2001. During the same period, employment within the sector doubled, from 79,000 jobs in 1992 to 191,000 in 2001. OBA and OBMTA have both been vital organizations in the state, working to ensure that the biosciences industry can continue to grow and be supported by a highly skilled
workforce, and collaboration with scientists and researchers. Development (OCKED), a public-private coalition established by the Legislature that is helping the state build a competitive climate and the asset base required for the knowledge economy. OCKED promotes leadership and collaboration for economic development and investing in issues that drive quality job growth and state wealth creation, such as enhancing Oregon's knowledge-based workforce, commercializing research into profitable business ventures, and accessing capital and business expertise to ensure that new businesses
thrive and are retained in the state.
one million people each year through on-campus classes, statewide public services and lifelong learning. OUS was the sponsoring organization for OBMTA.
For additional information on OBA, go to www.oregon-bioscience.com; for information on OCKED, go to
www.ous.edu/cpa/OCKED; for information on Oregon University System, go to
www.ous.edu. -OUS- |