Arizona State University has chosen internationally renowned scientist George Poste to head the Arizona Biodesign Institute. Poste, former chief science officer for SmithKline Beecham and the head of a Pentagon bioterrorism task force, is known for both his own work in bioscience and his capacity for successful management and marketing of biotech products. Through him, officials at the university hope to develop the institute into a world-class economic and research success.
Poste’s selection was announced at the groundbreaking ceremony for the institute, the centerpiece of a planned biodesign corridor on the Tempe campus that will house researchers in biotechnology, information technology, and nanotechnology. ASU officials hope that the institute will generate new sources of revenue for the university by developing genetics-based treatments and products, which will in turn lead to patents, licensing agreement, and possible spin-off companies.
The first building of the institute is slated for completion in 2004.
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