Colorado Boasts Three Markets in the Milken Institute's North American High Tech Top 50

A new study from the Milken Institute shows three Colorado MSAs ranking in the top 50 of the "North America High Tech Economy: The Geography of Knowledge Based Industries Ranking." Link to support data per market:

Denver-Aurora, CO (MSA)

Boulder, CO (MSA)

Colorado Springs, CO (MSA)

The full report and executive summary of North America's High-Tech Economy: The Geography of Knowledge-Based Industries is available for free download after registration at http://www.milkeninstitute.org/nahightech/nahightech.taf.

Bioscience Colorado Magazine 2009-10, Now Available

Welcome to the 2009-2010 edition of Bioscience Colorado brought to you by the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA).

Bioscience Colorado is the only in-depth guide and directory to the bioscience industry in the state, and is distributed nationally and internationally by the CBSA, research institutions and economic development offices. The new magazine, includes articles showcasing Colorado companies, the history of Colorado bioscience industry, Colorado's global bioscience outreach and an overview of Colorado's broad welcome mat for bioscience startups.

The updated bioscience directory provides the most current listing of medical device, biotechnology, biofuels and pharmaceutical companies in Colorado. The directory also provides a comprehensive listing of service providers for the industry that are recommended by the Association.

Link to new issue

Colorado Governor Signs Two Bills Designed to Accelerate State's Life-Sci Growth

BioRegion News: June 5, 2009 -- Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed into law this week a pair of bills sought by state life science leaders.

Both bills, however, include changes that scale down the tax breaks that were originally proposed through the measures, reflecting the state's need to balance its budget by wiping out a $1.4 billion shortfall blamed on the ongoing economic upheaval.

Ritter on June 1 signed House Bill 09-1035, which expands the categories of business eligible for refunds of up to $50,000 in state sales and use taxes paid on personal property for research and development to include medical-device makers, producers of biofuels, and other "clean" technologies that are headquartered in Colorado and that employ 50 or fewer full-time employees. Biotech businesses are already eligible for the credit.

The governor, a Democrat in his first term, also enacted House Bill 09-1105, which provides tax incentives for angel investors in life-sciences startups, as well as other companies "primarily in research and development or manufacturing of new technologies, products, or processes."

Link to the posting

CBSA Applauds Gov. Ritter’s Signing of HBs 1035 & 1105, Ensuring Colo’s Position As a Thriving Location for Bioscience and Emerging Technology

Denver, CO -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has signed HB 1035 (expanding sales and use tax for medical device companies) and HB 1105 (Angel Investment Tax Credit), ensuring Colorado’s position as a thriving location for bioscience and emerging technology companies. The announcement is made by John Collar, President and CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA), who on behalf of the association commends Colorado Governor Bill Ritter for signing and the following legislators for sponsoring these two important pieces of legislation:

* HB 1035, sponsored by Representative Jim Riesberg (D-Greeley) and Senator Rollie Heath (D-Boulder)

* HB 1105, sponsored by Representative John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) and Senator Mark Scheffel (R-Douglas County)

HB 1035 was signed Monday at the Greeley Chamber of Commerce CEO Forum luncheon. HB 1105, was signed Monday evening at a Town Hall Meeting and Reception held at the Council Tree Library in Fort Collins.

Link to the Business Wire Release

Colorado Again Confirmed as Top Bioscience State by National Rankings & Venture Capital Funding Activity

Denver, CO -- "It's an exciting time to be a bioscience company in Colorado, and the state is continuing to garner the national attention it deserves for its top-notch bioscience industry," said John Collar, President and CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA). "FierceBiotech highlighted Colorado as one of its top five biotech regions, and The Money Tree™ Report, recently released by Genome Technology, listed Colorado in its top 10 Venture Capital deals for both biotech and medical device and equipment."

Colorado's success at attracting venture capital was demonstrated earlier this month when Boulder-based Clovis Oncology, Inc. announced an impressive $145 million in start-up funding at its company launch. Clovis is focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing innovative anti-cancer agents in the U.S., Europe and additional international markets. The company is founded by former executives of Pharmion Corporation, which was acquired by Celgene Corporation in 2008 for $2.9 billion.

"We are so very pleased that the former Pharmion team has chosen to remain in the state and headquarter their new company here. With the experience behind them and the success of the business model from Pharmion, the bioscience industry and Colorado will be keeping a close, and proud, eye on this new start-up," Collar says.

Link to the PR Web Newswire

Boulder Daily Camera Includes CBSA/John Collar Perspective on GlobeImmune & Clovis Announcements

John Collar, CBSA President & CEO, provided perspective to DC Reporter Alicia Wallace on both the recent GlobeImmune and Clovis Oncology announcements.

Link to GlobeImmune signs partnership that could net $500M

Link to Pharmion vets launch new oncology venture

Colorado BioScience Association Featured for Second Time in European Life Science Journal

Link to CBSA's article about the Colorado BioScience industry in the Spring 2009 edition -- look in the USA Section.