Causes: Biological & Life Sciences

Mission: The North Carolina Biotechnology Center's mission is to provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina through support of biotechnology research, business, education and strategic policy statewide.

Geographic areas served: North Carolina

Programs: The science and technology development program is a fundamental core program of the north carolina biotechnology center. The goal of this program is to strengthen the state's infrastructure for biotechnology research which is an essential prerequisite for scientific advances leading to new products and applications to meet this goal, the program provides services and support to state universities, colleges, and nonprofit institutions that contribute to biotechnology development through research, teaching, and public service. Support is primarily provided in the form of grants. Since 1984, the program has provided over $50 million to enhance the research and intellectual capabilities of the state's academic and nonprofit research institutions.

the business and technology development program is the second largest core program of the north carolina biotechnology center. The goal of this program is to strengthen and support north carolina biotechnology companies with funding; technology assessment; strategic partnerships; business plan advice; networking and career transition support; information on venture capital and available laboratory space; and professional referrals. The loan program in particular provides loans to early stage companies and grants to university technology transfer offices across the state. These loans are designed to support biotechnology company inception, research and growth, academic and nonprofit research institutions.

the centers of innovations (coi) grant program supports the growth of nascent biotechnology-related industry sectors within north carolina whose expansion and maturation will add new sources of revenue into the state's economy. The established coi's will work to establish public-private partnerships in which a particular industry need is understood and aligned with the required technological innovation that can provide an appropriate solution. These partnerships will be better able to maximize business opportunities within their industry sector.