The role of research institutions in the formation of the biotech cluster in Massachusetts: The MIT experience

Based on the MIT experience and that of other US universities, the formation and sustained existence of biotechnology company clusters are discussed. A cluster's origin and continued health are dependent upon government funding of state-of-the-art science in universities and institutions. Effec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of commercial biotechnology 2005-07, Vol.11 (4)
Main Author: Nelsen, Lita L
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Based on the MIT experience and that of other US universities, the formation and sustained existence of biotechnology company clusters are discussed. A cluster's origin and continued health are dependent upon government funding of state-of-the-art science in universities and institutions. Effective technology transfer is also necessary with a formal legal infrastructure for university participation and sufficient funds to file patents. The formation of new companies requires a business infrastructure in the community and talented people: researchers; technology transfer professionals; entrepreneurial company founders; scientists and managers to staff the companies; and knowledgeable investors. Finding people gets easier as clusters grow. It takes a whole community to build a biotechnology cluster – but once built, the cluster can achieve a sustaining life that strengthens itself.
ISSN:1462-8732
1478-565X
DOI:10.5912/jcb134