BACKGROUND
The Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute (THBI) was born out of a desire to fill the needs of a growing biotechnology and life science industry in Texas which was losing out on opportunities. The original vision for the Institute was to: serve as a resource for lawmakers, industry participants, the media, the public, and those outside the state wishing to learn more about Texas life science and biotechnology; be a forum or facilitator assisting industry participants to communicate statewide; distribute information on the needs of the industry; serve as a clearinghouse and coordinate existing resources to support emerging life science companies and recruit established companies wishing to relocate to the state; and advocate for policies bolstering the research and development environment in this state. This vision is still applicable over a decade later.
Officially formed in June of 1996, THBI included members from a diverse section representing all segments of the industry including: pharmaceutical companies, economic development corporations, biotechnology companies, academic research institutions, and businesses with an agricultural biotech focus. Ten years later, THBI has many accomplishments to list in line with its original mission. Among the first efforts from THBI were 3 studies that helped lay the groundwork and provided awareness about specifics in the life science industry:
- A Profile of Progress: The Texas Healthcare Technology Industry, created in 1997 with Texas A&M University Center for Business and Economic Analysis at the Lowry Mays College, was a two-part analysis of the industry and included data on the number of life science employees and companies in Texas, the size of the market and research and development expenditures in the state.
- In 1998, THBI worked with a private consultant to produce a report titled Index of the Texas Healthcare Technology Industry which laid out 23 indicators to track industry performance and progress and included information about economic outcomes, industry resources, and the development and innovation process in the life sciences in Texas.
- These two reports were followed by the 21st Century Life Science Roadmap which took two years to produce and involved over 200 community and life science leaders. It was created by a THBI-assembled statewide working group and became a blueprint for future policy concerning the life science cluster.
THBI has developed a reputation as the reliable and credible source for information about the life science and biotechnology cluster statewide in Texas. It has helped educate members of the state legislature, statewide elected officials, and the Texas Congressional delegation as well as the media and general public and laid the groundwork to help biotechnology and the life sciences become a recognized industry cluster in Texas. In addition, the Institute is serving as a connector for the diverse regions in the state on common issues affecting the industry.
THBI has participated in multiple studies as the industry advocate such as the Governor’s Council on Science and Biotechnology in 2002 and the Governor’s Cluster Initiative in 2005 to identify needs, current infrastructure, capabilities, and strengths. The Institute also places the spotlight on industry successes in Texas to further awareness of the great innovations and practices going on within the life sciences and biotechnology.
THBI has actively participated to influence policy and advocate for the industry through 6 legislative cycles. THBI celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2007, continuing to fulfill the principles on which it was formed.
