Maryland officials continue to invest in public and private research to generate business growth. In a recent study conducted by the Milken Institute, Maryland ranked No. 1 in the area of federal investment for research and development. The state also ranked first for academic research and development investment and the No. 5 position for venture capital investment.
      Investment has created one of the largest bioscience research centers in the world in Montgomery County, anchored by such academic institutions such as John Hopkins, University of Maryland and the National Institute of Health. State officials are looking into a state-sponsored fund for bioscience companies. Gov. Parris Glendening is considering such a move. The study was part of a joint resolution reached during the last General Assembly session.
      Bioscience business leaders are hopeful that Maryland will continue to assist the growing industry. "Any support from the state to fund companies, make a facility available at a lower rate or with a low-cost loan, allow quick leases or offer tax incentives is going to help the industry," says Bill McIntosh, CBO of Baltimore-based FASgen Inc., a spin-off from Johns Hopkins. "Those things nurture biotech."
      In December of 2001, Gaithersburg-based TherImmune Research announced it would expand its facility by leasing additional lab space and the expansion of its corporate offices on Research Drive. TherImmune provides drug development services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Part of the new expansion will house the firm's 14,000-sq.-ft. (1,300-sq.-m.) Lab Services Division. Company officials anticipate hiring an additional 25 to 50 new corporate, scientific and technical staff over the next six months.