OKLAHOMA BIOTECH INNOVATION CLUSTER AWARDED $35 MILLION IN BUILD BACK BETTER REGIONAL CHALLENGE
The Oklahoma Biotech Innovation Cluster (OBIC) Initiative, a coalition spearheaded by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber alongside primary partners including the University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma City Innovation District, and with industry leadership from Echo Investment Capital LLC, has been awarded $35 million through the Build Back Better Regional Challenge of the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The OBIC coalition is supported by more than 40 partners across academia, tribal nations, government, industry, community, investors and other key stakeholders involved in the continued development of the burgeoning biotechnology cluster in Oklahoma. These partnerships support initiatives across a unique urban-rural region to foster inclusive access to high- wage career pathways, increase R&D programs and partnerships, and expand critical scientific infrastructure that make our region more conducive to the commercialization of high-value innovations. The grant proposal was designed to catalyze the bioscience sector in the Oklahoma City region, taking advantage of groundwork laid in the industry by Oklahoma City leaders over the last 25 years, the growth of new private investment in the region, and the opportunities presented by growing complexities and bottlenecks in the drug development and delivery process. “This grant presents Oklahoma City with an opportunity to expand its role as a national hub for drug development, testing and manufacturing,” said Roy Williams, Chamber president and CEO. ‘“Today’s announcement is only possible due to the partners working together, and the guidance and support of central Oklahoma’s congressional delegation. The interrelated investments in the grant unify the product development pipeline from translational research to testing and manufacturing while providing
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