Biotech birthday; Conference recalls start of Worcester industry.

Byline: Martin Luttrell

WORCESTER - In 1984, land next to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center was

developed into the state's first biotechnology research park after a panel of business, science, academic and political leaders found biotechnology and medical fields to be the area's biggest untapped resource.

The Massachusetts Biotechnology Research Park, a leap of faith by then-Gov. Michael S. Dukakis and the city, led to the formation of the nonprofit Massachusetts Biotechnology Research Institute, a collaboration of academic and business interests that established Worcester as a major player in the state's biotechnology industry development.

MBRI changed its name to Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, and now, 25 years later, it operates three "incubator" facilities in Worcester, housing 22 companies and approximately 100 employees. MBI provides lab space and support for the startup biotech and medical device companies. Since 2000, MBI has graduated 34 companies out of its facilities, and 26 of them are still operating, with more than 350 employees. Of the 26, 24 are in Massachusetts today.

Most recently, MBI established an incubator in conjunction with Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Gateway Park campus.

One of the research park's tenants, Abbott Bioresearch Center, with 700 employees and 380,000 square feet of space, developed the blockbuster arthritis drug Humira in Worcester.

Yesterday, Mr. Dukakis, members of the MBI board and others in the biotech field came together at the Abbott facility to recall the progress made to date and discuss how to plan for the future.

MBI chairman Dr. Abraham W. Haddad recalled that when the idea for a biotechnology park arose, the country was in a double-digit recession and an energy crisis, and a major shakeout was predicted for the state's computer industry. But the medical school, founded 10 years earlier, would provide the potential for research, and the ensuing innovation and collaboration of government, business and academic sectors would lead to the MBI having 1.5 million square feet of research facilities.

"The growth continues to be dynamic," he told nearly 200 at the conference. "It has been said that genius is 10 percent intellect and 90 percent grit. That's what Worcester has done for 25 years."

Mr. Dukakis said the community came up with a plan. "When I was elected in 1974, there was 12.5 percent unemployment," he said. "We were hungry for new ideas."

With the name change in 1997, MBI expanded upon its main focus of providing incubator space to startup biotechnology and medical device firms. MBI has been recognized as a national model for leveraging public-sector funds with private-sector investments to fuel economic development and health care research.

"It was not really a leap of faith, when you think of it," said Robert J. Anderson, Abbott general counsel. "The land was available, there was an embracing community and there was a cluster of scientists here. There was already innovation, and the utilities were here from the manufacturers."

Robert K. Coughlin, president of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, said to remain successful in biotech, the state must keep a robust supply of educated workers and bolster efforts for education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

ART: PHOTO

PHOTOG: T&G Staff/STEVE LANAVA

CUTLINE: Former Gov. Michael S. Dukakis listens to speakers at the biotech conference yesterday at the Abbott Bioresearch Center.