Texas continues to provide fertile ground for biotechnology and life sciences. Attractive financial incentives, a highly skilled work force, world-class educational and research institutions, and a first-rate transportation and logistics infrastructure are transforming Texas into a global leader in the biotech and life sciences industry.
Biotechnology and life sciences is one of the six industry clusters identified in 2004 by Gov. Rick Perry as part of his long-term, strategic job creation plan. Each cluster was selected because of its powerful potential for future economic growth.
A majority of the top global biotech and pharmaceutical companies have locations in Texas, underscoring the Lone Star State’s vitality in these industries. They include the following 2010 Fortune 1000 companies: Irving-based Kimberly Clark, Dallas-based Celanese, Houston-based US Oncology, and San Antonio-based Kinetic Concepts.
Texas is home to over 4,100 biotechnology, biomedical research, business and government consortia, medical manufacturing companies, and world-class universities and research facilities. These facilities and institutions employ over 104,400 workers at an average annual salary of over $67,300.
Texas’ core biotechnology manufacturing establishments are primarily based in the Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio metropolitan areas.
Expanding the biotech and life science industry is a top priority for Texas lawmakers. In 2001, the Texas Legislature appropriated $800 million for science, engineering, research, and commercialization activities, including $385 million for research infrastructure. A year later, Gov. Perry established the Council on Science and Biotechnology Development.
In 2003, Gov. Rick Perry and the Texas legislature passed legislation authorizing the $295 million Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF), a "deal closing" fund created to attract businesses and new jobs to Texas. Another visionary move came in 2005 when Gov. Perry announced the $200 million Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF) to promote and finance technological innovations in multiple industries, including biotechnology.
Texas biotech and life science industry highlights:
- Texas' dynamic biotechnology marketplace has an estimated state economic impact of $75 billion, according to a 2009 Texas Healthcare & Bioscience Insitute report.
- As of March 2010, the TETF has awarded $170.86 million for biotechnology-related projects.
- As of March 2010, the TEF has awarded $93.1 million for biotechnology-related projects.
- In 2008, one of every 19 U.S. biotech employees works in Texas, according to the most current data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Biotech Industry Report
Texas Biotechnology Company Directory
