The event is being organized by a group of public and private organizations including New York Medical College, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, the Westchester Medical Center and the Landmark at Eastview, a development in Greenburgh that is already host to a number of biotechnology firms. All of these entities are involved in trying to move forward with new biotechnology construction in Westchester County. In addition, the conference is supported by the Westchester County Association, The County Chamber of Commerce Inc., the New York Biotechnology Association, the Westchester Office of Economic Development and the Empire State Development Corp,
Event organizers say that Governor George Pataki and Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano are expected to be on hand to offer their views on the role biotechnology might play in the lower Hudson Valley region's future.
While Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties all are home to biotechnology firms, organizers of the conference maintain the region has not come close to tapping this sector's potential.
Lawrence Dwyer, president of the Westchester County Association, says that getting all the major biotechnology players together is an important first step. "Getting this group of major players to agree to hold a single unifying event is the breakthrough that's been needed. The three counties have all the elements upon which to build a very strong biotech sector. The way to capitalize on these assets is to view the region as a whole, knowing that within it are all of the needed parts."
He added that after the conference, organizers of the event are hoping to establish a "biotechnology cluster" for the lower Hudson Valley region, similar to cluster that exist at Research Triangle in North Carolina and other locations throughout the U.S.
"In the three counties of the Lower Hudson Valley we have academic medical centers around which the biotech economy is built," Dwyer adds. "Importantly, we have direct access to one of the world's greatest centers for biotechnology – New York City."
The idea for a conference for the lower Hudson Valley emerged from informal discussions among several of the major players in the bioscience field who are currently exploring possible development projects in Westchester County.
Edward Arace, regional director for the Empire State Development Corp., notes, "At the state level, we have long felt that working collectively toward a common goal would be the most effective way to tap the enormous potential that biotech offers the economy of the lower Hudson Valley region." He adds that New York State believes that successful biotech development in the lower Hudson Valley will foster manufacturing growth in upstate New York.
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John Jordan
John Jordan is a veteran journalist with 36 years of print and digital media experience.
