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BioDistrict and the Knowledge Economy:
BioDistrict is focused on job creation in the biosciences. The industry provides New Orleans with unique set of challenges to be competitive with other hubs. Fortunately, working with our partners, we are up for the challenge. As evidence BioDistrict is on the right track, we wanted to share  comments by Christopher A. Viehbacher, Chief Executive Officer of French Drug maker Sanofi, SA which acquired Genzyme Corp. of Cambridge, MA. Mr. Viehbacher said his company has established a presence in the Boston area because of its innovation ecosystem. Citing the area's dense cluster of universities, hospitals, biotechnology start-ups and venture capital firms, he told Boston College's CEO Club that "I think the most fertile environment in the world is in the Boston-Cambridge area." But he alerted them to the risk facing innovation, including federal budget cuts to the National Institute of Health, rising healthcare costs and the "inability" of big pharmaceutical companies to embrace the "disruptive element" of innovation [wiki defines disruptive technology]. He went on to say how,"this is extraordinarily difficult to activate in big companies. In fact we do everything we can to eliminate disruption in big companies." The future of cutting-edge or disruptive technology is going to be found in small labs run by entrepreneurs who have a passion for what they're doing and accomplishing. The BioDistrict 2011 Business Plan that was adopted in principle by the Board of Commissioners approved and recommended a series of actions to be undertaken to maximize the opportunity around the local university research and the catalytic projects like the VA, UMC and the BioInnovation and Cancer Research Centers.
Action Plan
- Continued BioDistrict Operational and Capital Funding;
- Forging Successful Partnerships: City /State / Federal Institutions, Foundations and Business Community;
- Detailed Site Studies: Utilities, Parking, Downtown Health Campus, Claiborne Avenue, and Traffic Management;
- Recruitment of new biopharmaceutical investment and partnerships;
- Public/Private Partnership Financing of specialized buildings;
- Implement Academic Research Database System
- Follow Through on Detailed Action Plan and Identify Key Catalytic Projects
Click here to review the complete list and structured interaction between BioDistrict and other agencies. 
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Louisiana Higher Education and Industry Collaborative Workshop on Biosciences
The Louisiana Board of Regents is partnering with Xavier University of Louisiana in sponsoring the Louisiana Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) which is a collaborative workshop examining the bioscience industry in Louisiana through the lens of industry and academic insiders on April 15-16, 2012.
The Industry-Academia Collaborative Biosciences Workshop will feature a full itinerary of regional and national speakers researching the needs, challenges and innovations of the industry, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the Louisiana environment for attracting and developing bioscience companies. BioDistrict President and CEO James P. McNamara will discuss with attendees these topics and BioDistrict's economic development potential. The workshop concludes Sunday, April 16, with a tour of the recently constructed New Orleans BioInnovation Center.
Please click here to register.
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BioDistrict & Sustainability: Water Challenge 2012
Sponsored by Idea Village and the Greater New Orleans Foundation with generous support of the Joseph A. Hunt Foundation
BioDistrict participates in this year's activities as part of our mission to bring more research, investment and jobs to the community.
 | | Standing room only at the BioInnovation Center to hear U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu |
Mr. Nick Speyrer representing the Water Institute of the Gulf said, "in the time it took for the the Water Challenge to meet, LOUISIANA LOST 11.05 FOOTBALL FIELDS OF LAND!"
That's one field every 38 minutes 24/7/365. Finally we are seeing some positive action on an issue that has been discussed for years. The wetlands are for South Louisianians our lifeblood and a source of living and economic vitality, but few realize the actual threat and even fewer are prepared for the changes that will need to be implemented.
 | | Idea Village // Water Challenge |
U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu attended the Challenge and spoke of the importance of learning to understand where we live and the special challenges and limitations we face. The Senator has made significant contributions in many areas; perhaps none more important than her steadfast approach to finding new and more effective methods for solving our water challenges.
- In 2005, Landrieu helped create the Coastal Impact Assistance Program, which redirected $1 billion in offshore oil and gas revenues to help rebuild barrier islands, bolster coastal infrastructure, and restore wetlands.
- Through the passage of the Domenici-Landrieu Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, Louisiana finally secured its fair share of revenues from offshore oil and gas production. This independent revenue stream is expected to provide Louisiana billions of additional dollars over the next decades for coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects.
- Senator Landrieu's efforts have been the impetus behind the ongoing "Dutch Dialogues" and recent establishment of "The Water Institute of the Gulf".
- Just last week, Senator Landrieu's efforts led to the passage of the Restore Act which will direct 80 percent of BP Clean Water Act penalties to the Gulf Coast states.
The BioDistrict is home to a significant amount of research and entrepreneurial activity in connection with water and sustainability. We congratulate this year's winner of the $50,000 Water Challenge, Tiera Resources, LLC headed by Dr. Sarah Mack. Dr. Mack founded the firm in 2007 with a mission to conserve, protect, and restore coastal wetland ecosystems by creating innovative solutions that support investment into blue carbon.
See what BIO tweeted to their 29,000+ followers worldwide!
The Biodistrict believes a business sector combined with university research innovation will assist in retaining our current economic base while fostering growth in the biosciences sector that includes sustainable industries and water management.
Other points of interest:
To Learn more about how you can participate in the Pilot Program, please contact me here.
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Emerging Leaders Profile
Dr. Peter Ragusa, MD
Note that Dr. Ragusa graduated from LSU in 2003 making him a member of the first class of TOPS student classes to graduate from college. Let the return on our investment begin!
Emerging Leaders are individuals who are taking up the charge of advancing the development of the bioscience industry cluster beyond just new buildings and into actual job creation and economic growth for our city and region.
 | | Dr. Peter Ragusa |
Peter Ragusa, MD, MPH is the CEO and Co-Founder of VoiceHIT. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University, the University of Minnesota Medical School & the Yale University School of Public Health. He has 10 years of start-up, health policy, technology, and healthcare experience.
VoiceHIT is a privately held company headquartered in the New Orleans BioInnovation Center and is one of four companies pitching at IDEA pitch during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week at Manning's Restaurant from 1:30 - 3:30 on Friday, March 16th.
Latest news on VoiceHIT:
HealthCare IT Showcase
Peter is now a member of the Emerging Leadership with the BioDistrict and biosciences community in Louisiana.
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DID YOU KNOW?
The BioDistrict is Home to One of the World's Largest Hospital Construction Projects.
Global medical device firms have noticed and are looking for opportunities to invest. Translation: More Quality Jobs
 | | Opportunities are just a few key strokes away! |
BioDistrict New Orleans has created a special group on LinkedIn called Bio New Orleans where professionals and employers can post job opportunities, discuss research findings or industry trends and network with other professionals in the biosciences industry. The aim is to create a bioscience community.
As of today, we have posted six new job openings and more will follow as the community builds. In five months, more than 235 (up 25) multi-disciplined professionals have joined and started sharing ideas, leads, knowledge and contacts. Some are locals, some ex-pats looking to stay in touch, others are new friends like Kristy Meyers who lives in St. Louis but loves New Orleans and bioscience. This is how clusters are formed, thrive and take on a life of their own. Are YOU a member? |
For more information, please visit www.BioDistrictNewOrleans.org
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We Are Social
Stay in touch:
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BioDistrict New Orleans has it's own channel. Subscribe today for updates!
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BioDistrict's
New Office 
1515 Poydras St
Suite 150
New Orleans 70112
Come by to see renderings of the new proposed developments within the BioDistrict
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New Openings: Ur Way Yogurt & Coffee
in the BioDistrict 3001 Tulane Ave Shops at the Crescent Club
Great treats and good eats! Free WIFI for customers.
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Upcoming Meetings: Women's Entrepreneurship Symposium March 25-26 , 2012
Featuring: U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship David Kappos, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Teresa Stanek Rea, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the USPTO Margaret (Peggy) Focarino, Commissioner for Patents, USPTO -------------------- |
| Specialized Facilities within the BioDistrict:
New Orleans
BioInnovation
Center
1441 Canal Street
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and the
 Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium
1700 Tulane Ave.
Click here for more information on either the BioInnovation or the LA Cancer Research Centers
Click here to inquire about business opportunities and partnerships.
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The role of the BioDistrict is to attract bio - industry investment into New Orleans and the specialized facilities.
We are currently tracking 4,025 new jobs, with
3.161 million square feet of new development underway
(public and private).
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On the Drawing Boards
325 new jobs
175,000 square feet of new development (private).
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The Daily Scan
On Line Survey
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In which space is the most promising cancer research being done?
13% In individual academic labs
28% In large academic collaborations
42% In collaborations between academia and industry
14% In industrial R&D
2% Elsewhere
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The BioDistrict has the authority to build own, operate and sell real property either through it's own action or through a Public Private Partnership.
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Informex holds successful convention in New Orleans.
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Ernest Morial Convention Center
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Provides cross marketing opportunity between two critical NOLA industries: Hospitality and Biotech\healthcare
Conventioneers also get an up close view of the BioDistrict and our assets and new biotech start-ups
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It's in our DNA to create JOBS and Economic Opportunity!
Tell your friends and colleagues to support the BioDistrict.
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