Arkansas

Arkansas Poised to Lead Critical Aspects of Biotechnology Revolution

Arkansas already boasts a substantial base of industries and research laboratories clustered around agriculture-related biotechnology. Now, the state is making inroads into other important biotechnology segments: biomedicine and biofuels. These three critical areas put Arkansas smack dab in the center of the biotechnology revolution.

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) National Center for Toxicological Research and the USDA’s Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center anchor Arkansas’ ag-bio cluster. Riceland Foods continues to improve the world’s most important food crop by altering input and output traits that affect taste and nutritional content. And Tyson Foods opened its newly expanded $5.2 million food-safety laboratory last year to provide the latest technology in food testing and research, including a microbiology research center to conduct studies on pathogens.

On the biomedical front, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has fueled much of the state’s growth through its nationally respected programs and biotechnology initiatives. The geriatrics program at UAMS was ranked ninth in the April 2005 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s “Americas Best Graduate Schools.”

The University’s Biomedical Biotechnology Center promotes technology transfer, fosters biotech business acceleration, nurtures Arkansas research alliances, and provides state-of-the-art training and research programs and technical assistance to biotech start-ups. UAMS faculty conducted $106 million worth of research in fiscal year 2005. The work has led to 332 total invention disclosures, 264 patent applications, 131 patents issued or allowed and 38 commercialization license agreements.

Meanwhile, a new research entity, the Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI), serves as an agricultural and medical research consortium dedicated to improving the health of Arkansans. The ABI was created as the major research component of the Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Act of 2000. ABI will focus on agriculture and basic and clinical scientific research that will lead to health improvement, especially in the area of tobacco-related diseases.

Biodiesel production is now underway at Patriot BioFuels’ new Stuttgart facility. Patriot BioFuels is experiencing a high demand for its biodiesel product. Indeed, biodiesel has become America’s fastest-growing alternative fuel, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Production tripled in 2005, reaching 75 million gallons. More than 700 filling stations across the country make biodiesel available to the public, and 1,500 petroleum distributors carry it nationwide. More than 600 fleets use biodiesel, including government fleets such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as military, commercial and school bus fleets. Arkansas is poised to be a leader in this critical area.

Arkansas is also home to the Bioplex, a research and technology park in northern Jefferson County. The 1,500-acre park is adjacent to the FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research, and is near Charles River Laboratory’s Redfield facility.

Nearby University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is contributing to the growth of biotechnology by offering degree programs in aquaculture and fisheries, regulatory sciences and biotechnology. And the University of Arkansas, in partnership with the City of Fayetteville, is developing the Arkansas Research and Technology Park (ARTP) just south of the University’s main campus to enhance technology-based economic growth by fostering and attracting clusters of industries whose commercial pursuits are strategically aligned with the University’s research strengths.

With millions of dollars of research, strong commercialization initiatives and strategic developing clusters, Arkansas is carving out its niche in the emerging biotech economy.

For more information about Arkansas, contact Brad Greenway at 1-800-ARKANSAS, or visit 1800ARKANSAS.com.