2008-10-10 21:43:01 -

- The following is a statement by Jim Leonhart, executive director of the Wisconsin Biotechnology & Medical Device Association, regarding this morning's announcement by Gov. Jim Doyle of the Wisconsin Genomics Initiative. The initiative is a public-private partnership that includes Marshfield Clinic, the Medical College of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and UW-Milwaukee.

"Today's historic announcement by Gov. Doyle solidifies Wisconsin's global leadership in personalized health care research. The collective strength of the four participating Wisconsin institutions, each a research leader in its own right, will move transformational DNA-based research from lab bench to bedside more quickly than ever. Wisconsin's biotechnology and medical device industry applauds Gov. Doyle's leadership in the establishment of the Wisconsin Genomics Institute. We salute Marshfield Clinic, the Medical College of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and UW-Milwaukee for rising to the governor's challenge to create a Wisconsin Medical Research Triangle. The benefits of the personalized health care research that will be conducted within that new triangle will reach far beyond Wisconsin's borders."

Wisconsin Biotechnology &
Medical Device Association
Jim Leonhart
Executive Director
(608) 236-4753
or
The Luminis Group, Ltd.
for the Wisconsin Biotechnology &
Medical Device Association
Rod Hise
(608) 807-4607