State Hearing To Focus On New York City Biotech Development

WHO: Gerald D. Fischbach, executive vice president and dean of the faculties of medicine and health sciences, Columbia University, and members of the New York State Assembly Commission on Science and Technology.

WHEN & Friday, April 11, 11:30 a.m. WHERE: Russ Berrie Medical Science Pavilion, Classroom 2, 1150 St. Nicholas Ave.

WHAT: Gerald D. Fischbach, executive vice president and dean of the faculties of medicine and health sciences at Columbia, will testify at a hearing on ways to spur growth in New York City's biotechnology industry. The New York State Assembly Commission on Science and Technology, together with several other committees, will hold the hearing at the Columbia University Health Sciences campus. The commission is chaired by local assemblyman Adriano Espaillat.

New York City ranks third among cities nationwide in number of biotech companies. But state officials and industry leaders think New York could do better, given its wealth of research capabilities and workforce skills. Several factors, including a dearth of affordable laboratory space, have kept the industry from reaching its full potential in New York City, officials say. The hearing is aimed at airing these issues and exploring possible solutions.

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