News ItemNMBio Report From The President

November 19, 2013 – 

A Letter From the President of NMBio

Pharmaceuticals, personalized medicine, health diagnostics, medical devices, advanced biofuels, food supply, sustainable animal and plant agriculture, renewable bio-based chemicals and materials; The list of critical industries that rely on biotechnology goes on and on. Modern biotechnology provides breakthrough products and technologies that combat debilitating and rare diseases, reduce our environmental footprint, feed the hungry, use less and cleaner energy, and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes.

While not a national powerhouse in any of these industries, New Mexico does enjoy a healthy level of activity in scientific research into new and novel approaches of exploiting biotechnology with the goals of helping to improve our lives and the health of our planet. And it’s paying dividends to our state’s economy. According to the latest Battelle study on our bioscience industry, New Mexico’s 2010 average annual wage in bioscience research, testing and medical laboratories was $74,668. That was a whopping 21.7% growth from the 2001 figure. That beat the national average growth rate of 12.3% over the same period. Does anyone dispute that we should pursue the great opportunity that biotechnology holds for our state’s future?

Fortunately, biotechnology opportunities are on the radar of many of our private sector companies, entrepreneurs and research institutions. The new privately financed BioScience Center is a powerful validation of this. At the New Mexico Biotechnology & Biomedical Association, we pull together all biotechnology participants to create economic opportunities by informing, collaborating and executing on activities that advance the application of biotechnology across all sectors. And create high-paying jobs.

How can you step up your participation in this growth industry? If you’re not a member of NMBio, it’s inexpensive and easy to join. Benefits include free informative networking luncheons throughout the year, purchasing discounts that can easily pay for the membership investment, access to industry participants, powerful state and federal advocacy and more.

For those wishing to help drive the industry to new heights, NMBio has committees that increase the momentum of NMBio’s efforts to enhance business success and bioscience education, help establish collaboration and serve as a voice of the industry to state, federal and local governments. Serving on the Board of Directors or as an Officer of the Company provide opportunities for those wanting to firmly lead the industry to greater successes.

This year NMBio hosted monthly educational networking luncheons, took strong regulatory positions on behalf of our members and beefed up our member purchasing collaborative benefits. On the educational front, we awarded two $1,000 scholarships to biology majors, sent two students to compete in the National BioGENEius Competition along with chaperones, and sponsored all five New Mexico regional science fairs.

Next year we will have a presence, for the first time ever, at the BIO International Convention, where our industry can showcase to the world why it’s smart to look to New Mexico for biotechnology opportunities. And create high-paying jobs.

Please visit our web-site at https://nmbio.org for more information and to join. Many thanks to our volunteer Board of Directors and committee representatives, and further appreciation to our members and sponsors. For those of you that are not yet members, we look forward to welcoming you to work with us. And create high-paying jobs.

Sincerely, 
Andrew Salazar, Board President