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Oklahoma boasts an impressive biotechnology and life sciences industry. Numerous resources aid further development of the industry, through academia, industry, organizations, and institutions. Oklahoma’s future in the life science industry sector shows great promise.

Several renowned biotechnology and life science companies reside in Oklahoma. These include Abbott Laboratories, Inc. in Tulsa; Allergy Laboratories, Inc. in Oklahoma City; Analytical Research Laboratories (ARL) in Oklahoma City; Crystal Laboratory in Luther; Cytovance Biologics, Inc. in Oklahoma City; Dianon Systems Inc. in Oklahoma City; Genzyme Corporation in Oklahoma City; ICx Nomadics in Stillwater; Immuno-Mycologics, Inc. in Norman; Inoveon Corporation in Oklahoma City; InterGenetics Incorporated in Oklahoma City; Kal-Chem International in Lindsay; Loma Lux Laboratories in Tulsa; NanoBioMagnetics, Inc. (NBMI) in Edmond; PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals in Oklahoma City; Selexys Pharmaceuticals in Oklahoma City; SouthWest Nanotechnologies, Inc. in Norman; and ZymeTx Inc. in Oklahoma City, among others.

Oklahoma prides itself on its excellent academic institutions, which aid the life science industry with groundbreaking research and technology transfer assistance. Oklahoma State University (OSU), located in Stillwater, is home to several impressive research centers and facilities. Examples include the several Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Stations, the Recombinant DNA/Protein Core Facility, and the Gerontology Institute. Additionally, the OSU Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer manages services in technology transfer, research compliance, intellectual property management, research administration, and other services. The University of Oklahoma (OU), based in Norman, expended over $239 million in fiscal year 2006 for research and sponsored programs, primarily from federal and state support. The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is comprised of seven health-related colleges in a fifteen-block area. A new University Research Campus resides on 271 acres (1.096 square kilometers or 110 hectares) and provides over 400,000 square feet (0.037 square kilometers or 3.7 hectares) of research, teaching, laboratory, training, and operations space for use among varying disciplines. Additionally, the Stephenson Research and Technology Center is a $27 million facility with approximately 95,000 square feet (0.009 square kilometers or 0.9 hectares) of both communal and private laboratory, office, and general gathering space designed for collaborative endeavors between biosciences, bioengineering, robotics, and supercomputing. This center will be joined by the forthcoming Life Sciences Research Center, which will provide space to accommodate 30 research groups in the life sciences. The University of Oklahoma also provides its Office of the Vice President for Research and related services, such as the Office of Technology Development. The Oklahoma City Community College provides training for life sciences with its biotechnology program.

The Sooner State is home to many organizations that foster its biotechnology and life sciences industry. The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) is a state-funded agency that works in collaboration with the private sector, higher education, the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech, and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The goal of OCAST is to ensure efficient use of state funds toward increasing private and pubic applied research and development, technology transfer, and technology commercialization in Oklahoma. The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation aims to influence agriculture by exploring and improving production agriculture techniques, advancing plant science through research and discovery via its three operating divisions: Agricultural, Plant Biology, and Forage Improvement. The Oklahoma Bioscience Industry Cluster (OKBIO) represents over 100 firms and institutional employers in biologicals, informatics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and their service providers. OKBIO also provides such services as clinical research, regulatory, legal, financial, commercial realty, facility planning, architecture, and consulting. The Oklahoma Technology Commercialization Center (OTCC) provides statewide access to specialized business development services, and works with private and public sector technology experts to convert technological innovations into business opportunities for the state. The Oklahoma Nanotechnology Initiative (ONI) represents nanotechnology as the next frontier and biomedicine by encouraging awareness of nanotechnology and developing the necessary research and commercial infrastructure for the science.

Oklahoma touts fine institutions and facilities for biotechnology and life science research endeavors. The Oklahoma Technology and Research Park (OTRP) in Stillwater provides customized facilities for new businesses, and encourages collaboration between entrepreneurs and Oklahoma State University research faculty, specialized labs and equipment, and graduates. Oklahoma Health Center (OHC) Foundation in Oklahoma City is a 300-acre (1.2 square kilometer or 121 hectare) complex consisting of 30 member organizations from biotechnology companies to government, education, patient care and community support institutions, and represents the second largest concentration of employees in the state. The OHC is also home to the Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park. The Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park in Oklahoma City is a 27-acre (0.109 square kilometer or 10.9 hectare), seven building, 600,000 square foot (0.056 square kilometer or 5.6 hectare) research park representing a collaborative alliance between governmental agencies and higher education institutions, with the aim of supporting biomedical technology with its wet laboratory and office space. The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation represents 300 scientific staff members, including prominent immunologists and cardiovascular biologists, in one of the nation’s leading independent medical research institutions.

With its excellent infrastructure for education and promoting business in biotechnology and life sciences, Oklahoma is poised to become a powerhouse in the sector.

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