CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn as Governor of the Year in recognition of his leadership and support of the biosciences industry.
Governor Quinn will be presented with the award on June 29th, 2011 during the keynote luncheon at the 2011 BIO International Convention in Washington, DC.
"I would like to thank the Biotechnology Industry Organization for this honor. I believe that the key to our economic recovery lies in investment in innovative industries, such as the biotech sector, that spur the type of economic growth and job creation that makes Illinois a great place to do business," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois looks forward to hosting the BIO International Convention in 2013 and 2016 and to continuing to be a partner in innovation with the biotech industry for years to come."
“Governor Quinn has spearheaded an impressive array of job creating initiatives, further strengthening Illinois’s foothold as one of the nation’s most vibrant biotech clusters. His funding and support of biotech tax credits is a model for federal legislation that supports critical early-stage capital formation. His leadership in this field will continue to benefit his state, in terms of jobs and innovation, for years to come,” said Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO. “Governor Quinn’s strong support for our industry and the Midwest's flourishing bioscience industry presence were major factors in our decision to bring the BIO International Convention back to the Windy City in 2013 and 2016."
“iBIO congratulates Governor Quinn on this well deserved acknowledgment. The Governor has consistently championed educational reform, entrepreneurship, intellectual property protection, and industry regulation based on rigorous science. He has made showcasing the Midwest through the BIO International Convention in Chicago a key priority, thus elevating the economic development prospects for our state and the Midwest. More than that, he has set a leadership example for public servants everywhere,” said David Miller, President and CEO of iBIO.
Since taking office in 2009, Governor Quinn has spearheaded and supported numerous programs that have increased Illinois’ economic, scientific, and technological output through programs such as the Illinois Angel Investment Tax Credit and Illinois Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit. He further demonstrated his support for bioscience and other innovative industries by establishing the Illinois Innovation Council to recommend programs and initiatives to expand and retain entrepreneurship and innovative research.
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.
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