alk any biotech trade show and you'll be bombarded by regions throughout the United States and Canada — not to mention globally — touting themselves as the hottest locale for the biotechnology firm you're representing.
      How on earth is a site selector to cut through the massive numbers of offerings, not to mention hype, and determine which ere to locate a biotech firm?
      To find out, Site Selection interviewed economic development officials in Arizona, Ohio, western Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and British Columbia, along with companies already located in these regions and others.We also asked a nationally recognized site selection consultant to weigh in.
      All advise not to ignore the obvious. Cost of living, a readily available talent pool or ability to recruit, proximity to a research university, venture capital and solid transportation networks are key indicators for most fields. They're just as important in the biosciences, as well.
      But there are issues that are endemic to this industry, as Greg Byrnes, director of economic and business development at PECO Energy in Philadelphia, points out in an article, "Where to Grow Biotech" (Urban Land, March 2004). Byrnes cites the presence of major pharmaceutical companies, a rich talent pool, a built-in research infrastructure, strong investment community, supportive entrepreneurial infrastructure and available, suitable real estate as all-important factors for any region hoping to get a piece of the biotech pie. He argues that biotech companies "wanting to build and expand their businesses search behind the advertising campaigns and evaluate regions for their ability to best serve the companies' current and long-term needs."
      Other experts believe the strongest candidates for biotech have in their locale a research university that is graduating doctorate-level scientists, preferably one with a well-established technology transfer program in place to help translate the institution's basic research into marketable products. Having back-up support in the region in the form of laboratories, clusters of similar companies and the right supply base is also key, they say.
      The following is a deeper look at the criteria to consider for choosing that primo location for a biotech firm — one that will support the business and promote its success.