Edward Bozzi, associate professor and coordinator of the University of Rhode Island Biotechnology Program, talked about Rhode Island BioScience Leaders, the organization that he helped found three years ago, with Providence Business News.
PBN: Tell me about the mission of Rhode Island Bioscience Leaders and how you became involved.
BOZZI: The mission of Rhode Island BioScience Leaders is to provide a cooperative environment for member companies that will enable them to achieve their full potential through advancing common goals, sharing of ideas and advocacy. We limit our membership to the CEOs, COOs or CSOs of small- to medium-sized bioscience firms where there are common issues and opportunities. This organization was co-founded by Denice Spero, president of ProThera Biologics, and myself after realizing that the small, but growing, bioscience industry in Rhode Island was not connected through any organization.
PBN: Do you have regular meetings? How do members connect with one another?
BOZZI: We meet at the URI Providence campus whenever there are opportunities to present to our members or issues to resolve. At our April meeting, we met with David Goldsmith, both a BSL and MedMates member, and Kelly Ramirez, director of the Social Enterprise Greenhouse, to organize the role BSL will play in their upcoming DLT-sponsored business improvement and worker training programs.
We also introduced three new member companies to our growing membership list of 21. Our members find this list (with its e-mail addresses) of great value. Certainly, there is collaboration between member companies that would not exist had it not been for BSL.
PBN: Have you made progress growing the bioscience industry in Rhode Island since the group was formed three years ago?
BOZZI: Growth in this industry has been primarily good. Firms such as member companies ProThera Biologics, AgCO2re, EpiVax and Cytosolv have made announcements indicating growth and collaborations that should lead to growth. In addition, and as mentioned earlier, there are a number of new bioscience companies formed only recently. The closing of Nabsys (now reopened with new management) last year was disappointing.
PBN: The Brookings report identified biomedical innovation as an area for growth in RI – and the governor has talked about growing biotech, medtech jobs – what is an obstacle to growth in this sector?
BOZZI: There are a few obstacles to growth. Certainly, availability of venture capital is one. In addition member companies need the use of equipment and facilities at institutions such as Brown University and Lifespan at costs below market rates.
It is important for this growing industry to act as one with state government, with educational institutions and complementary organizations such as MedMates and SEG.
PBN: Tell me about some of BSL’s accomplishments.
BOZZI: Our greatest accomplishment has been the strong support for legislation called Innovate RI, which supports bioscience and engineering. Without our support this legislation would not have passed. Since its passage, grants matching SBIR Phase I and II awards plus grants supporting industry internships have been numerous.
