Texas A&M

Texas – A State of Biopharma Growth

So what’s the big deal about the Biopharmaceutical industry anyway? Well, considering it can provide medical innovation, has billions of dollars invested in it annually and provides employment to approximately 4 million people – it’s a humongous deal!

It is said that everything is bigger in Texas…why would it be any different for the Biopharma industry?

Here are 5 reasons why you should be in Texas and part of this influential industry!

1. Texas is in the top 10 for R&D Employment
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census Employment & Wage (QCEW) data, Texas is among the top 10 leading the nation in biotechnology research and development employment.

1- Employment Growth

1. Pop Quiz   

That’s a lot right! Texas takes its biotechnology industry very seriously; after all, the economic impact of this industry was estimated to be $75 billion in 2009 and that certainly is no joke. For every job that was created in the biotechnology field, another 2.3 jobs were generated.

In 2010, Texas was ranked No. 2 nationwide for the employment of life and physical scientists at 48,850 by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

2. Growth of Biopharma Manufacturing

Did you know?

Biopharma Manufacturing in the U.S has decreased by 8.0% since 2002, but Texas is one of five states that has increased its Biopharma manufacturing and has done so by 7.8%!

2. Annual Growth

3. Show me the money!

If its all about the money, then Texas is among the top 10!

3. Biotech wages

3. Pop Quiz

Not bad at all, right? Still not convinced – did you know there is no state income tax in Texas – yee haw!

4. It’s all about the place you work!

Texas is striving towards bigger and better discoveries within the biotech, biomed and other research areas, which is why Texas has over 3,500 establishments and counting in this industry.

Don’t believe me? Well, did you know that Greatbatch (a leader in medical device manufacturing) moved its headquarters from New York to Texas; Frisco, Texas to be exact. The reason? Well isn’t it obvious? Because Texas is awesome – but also because Texas has a growing medical devices industry and Greatbatch wanted to get in on the action. Dallas has a reputable medical device sector; Greatbatch relocating it’s headquarters not only confirms this, but shows Texas is well on its way to becoming a niche in the medical device market.

You may have also heard about Texas A&M receiving a grant for its flu vaccine facility – this is a considerable step in terms of leveraging drug development and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Now that A&M has partnered with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and other regional partners it will be possible to manufacture flu vaccines right here in Texas by the end of this decade. This helps Texas further its position in the biopharma industry.

Additionally, Merit Medical (a manufacturing firm that produces proprietary disposable medical devices) will open its new research and manufacturing facility doors by the end of 2013. This 18,000-square-foot facility is based in Pearland, Texas and will create an estimated 220 jobs.

So as you can see, Texas continues to house some major players in the industry and that list is growing!

5. To be or not to be a Doc? That is the question!

According to NSF, Texas ranked No. 3 for number of doctorates awarded in biotech related fields such as Health, Life and Biological Sciences.

Education is a vital part of the industry, as there is always a need for skilled, professional individuals with specialized knowledge in their respective fields to further enhance the medical discoveries to keep a dynamic industry. Texas is renowned for its research medical schools and for its research and development. In fact, five Texas universities made the top 100 list for best medical research schools by U.S News & World Report 2013:

5. Health Colleges

R&D in Texas is supported by its substantial health related institutions, universities and private biotechnology research firms. Texas has access to many R&D facilities, and on top of that, it consists of over 1,500 medical and testing laboratories including blood, pathology, imaging, diagnostics and device testing services. If you are talking about research don’t forget, Texas is at the forefront of cancer research as well, with recognized institutions such as MD Anderson Cancer Center based in Houston, Mary Crowley Cancer Center and Scott & White Healthcare Cancer Research Institute both based in Dallas.

Top Ten Texas Public Institutions for Biomedical R&D 

5. Institution

 

 

So, there you have it. With a growing professional workforce, top-tier research institutions and a booming biopharma industry, which is only going to continue growing, Texas is certainly the place to be!

Do you want to start your next career move in the biopharma industry? Look no further, take the step with Fidelis Companies; our Biopharm Division will show you the way with our R&D experts in the field. Fidelis Companies is based in Plano, Texas and we work with top industry clients both nationally and internationally. That, coupled with our areas of specialization and networking – we can provide you with the best professional recruiting service you need.

 

**Please note that the number of 89,610 workers in the biotech related field includes the following:
1. Research and Development in Biotechnology
2. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
3. Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
4. Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing
5. Electromedical Apparatus Manufacturing
6. Analytical Laboratory Instruments Manufacturing
7. Medical and Diagnostic Labs
8. Testing Laboratories
9. Pesticides, Fertilizer & Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing
10. Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing 

6. Doctorate Research

Texas BioPharm Landscape is Changing: Texas A&M Receives Grant for Flu Vaccine Facility

Texas A&M University announced they received a $91 million federally funded grant for a Flu Vaccine Facility. This flu vaccine production facility is a small portion of the contract Texas A&M Systems received recently to become one of three national biodefense centers in the US. The Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing will help develop and manufacture vaccines in the occurrence of a pandemic or bioterrorism.

To have a facility with the ability to mass produce millions of vaccines in only four months in the US would mean events such as the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic or the most recent 2012 flu vaccine shortage would potentially occur less frequently and with less national impact.

Fidelis Companies, formerly KAT & Associates, was recently honored by the Aggie 100 as the 43rd Fastest Growing Aggie Owned/Operated business worldwide. As an Aggie owned company based approximately 3 hours from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas we not only have personal ties to the opportunities this funding and facility will offer A&M and the state of Texas, but with a division dedicated specifically to specialized areas of BioPharm, we are aware of it’s effects within the biotech sector and future of biopharmaceutical research and development.

Although the Center of Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing’s current foundation is in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, the opportunities provided by the contract could stretch into other areas of the biopharm world. In the article, “Texas A&M System Awarded $285.6 Million Contract to Develop Center for Innovation” by Texas A&M University Department of Biomedical Engineering, an example of opportunities beyond manufacturing include research and development in areas including, but possibly not limited to, cancer research.

To view the full article on the TAMUS Flu Vaccine Facility, please visit: http://ow.ly/jyncT

To view the full article on the Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing, please visit http://ow.ly/jyoBV

KAT & Associates, Inc. Ranked #43 in 8th Annual Aggie 100

October 26th, KAT & Associates, Inc. (Fidelis BioPharm and Fidelis Enterprise Solutions) was honored at the 8th Annual Aggie 100 as the 43rd Fastest Growing Aggie Owned/Operated Company. KAT & Associates, Inc. had a compound annual growth rate of 49.7% from 2009 to 2011.

KAT & Associates, Inc. honored as #43 Fastest Growing Aggie Owned/Operated Company in the World

About the Aggie 100:

“The Aggie 100, the first of its kind at the college level, was created by Mays Business School’s Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship, whose mission is to provide encouragement, education, networking and assistance to entrepreneurial-minded students, faculty and Texas businesses. The Aggie 100 is a unique way for Texas A&M University to demonstrate its pride in the accomplishments of its former students while enriching the educational experience for today’s students.

While there are many ways to define business success, the Aggie 100 focuses on growth as an indicator of job creation, product acceptance and entrepreneurial vision. The Aggie 100 identifies, recognizes and celebrates the 100 fastest growing Aggie-owned or Aggie-led businesses in the world.”

Our co-owners, Karen Richards, Fightin’ Texas Aggie class of ’92, and Alan Butz were unable to attend the weekend in College Station and the Aggie 100 Awards Luncheon due to a previous commitment so Keith, our Director of Operations, and I packed up and headed to Aggieland. As an Aggie myself, this was a great honor and I was more than happy to attend on their behalf and accept our award.

The two-day event included a Welcome Reception with fellow Aggie Honorees Thursday night, Breakfast with the Dean Friday morning and the 8th Annual Aggie 100 Luncheon Friday afternoon. The Welcome Reception took place in the beautifully renovated MSC and was a cocktail-like event for Aggie Honorees to network and mingle with other Entrepreneurs. Even Miss Rev was there for photo opportunities for a short while!

Karen’s Honoree Name Tag and Mention in the Aggie 100 Road To Success

The Dean’s Breakfast was set up for Deans of the recognized schools to honor their Former Aggie Entrepreneurs.  Karen graduated from The School of Science, but since she was unable to attend I was able to attend the Dean’s Breakfast with my former school, The School of Agriculture and Life Science.

Finally, the Awards Luncheon: this was a great event, set up in The Zone at Kyle Field. If you’ve ever been to Kyle Field, you know how big of a presence it is on the A&M Campus. The Zone was lined with table after table for Honorees and their guests. After a brief history of the Aggie 100, guest and key-note speakers and a fabulous lunch served by members of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets, the award presentation began.

Kyle Field view from The Zone

It was an event I was proud to be a part of with a University I am honored to call my Alma Mater. I am so thrilled our company was honored our first year as an Aggie 100 nominee and look forward to the opportunity to attend again next year, with Karen there to personally accept her award!

Accepting our Award on behalf of Karen Richards

Some interesting facts about the 2012 Aggie 100:

  • This year, there were over 800 nominations
  • There were over 250 applicants that returned the nomination packet
  • 2012 was the most successful year in terms of the number of applicants
  • Of the 100 companies honored, 40 companies were 1st time honorees
  • There were 7 schools represented within the A&M system
  • The 1st class of honorees combined revenue equaled $4 billion
  • The 8th class (2012) of honorees combined revenue equaled $18 billion
  • 3 countries were represented:
    • Chile, UK, Mexico
  • 7 states were represented:
    • New York, Minnesota, Idaho, California, Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas
  • Business honored were started between 1962-2007
  • The 100 Aggie Owners/Operators employee over 7,000 employees
  • The 100 Aggie Owners/Operators employee 450 Aggie employees
  • There were 8 father/son or mother/daughter owned companies
  • 8 companies honored have been recognized in the Aggie 100 5 times or more

Thanks & Gig’Em!

Casidy