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The Seattle metropolitan area and Washington State are well known as the home of Microsoft and Amazon.com, but currently the area is gaining recognition as one of the premier biotechnology and medical technology centers in the world and one of the fastest growing research centers in the United States. This industry thrives due to its foundation on world-class research institutions, a pervasive entrepreneurial spirit, the region's rapidly growing financial wealth, and an unsurpassed quality of life that makes it one of the most desirable places to work, live, and play.

Biotechnology and medical technology companies in Washington are developing revolutionary methods for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, AIDS, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other serious conditions. Medical device firms are leaders in the research and development of ultrasound imaging, and heart defibrillation products. In agriculture, companies are developing improved foods and processes that enhance product yield, safety, and quality. Environmental firms in the state are developing innovative products and processes for waste management and bioremediation.

The technology foundation of Washington's industry is the cutting edge research conducted at the University of Washington, Washington State University, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Pacific Northwest Research Institute, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Since 1980, these research universities and non-profit organizations have attracted over $25 billion into Washington State -- mostly federal research and training money focused on health science. Importantly, nearly one-half of the more than 230 private and publicly traded biotechnology and medical device firms in the state are founded on technologies developed at these institutions. Also important are the collaborative research, faculty consulting and clinical study relationships these and other Washington institutions have with numerous companies, both in-state and out-of-state.

Leading Washington's biotechnology and medical device industry are companies that are publicly traded, or are subsidiaries of larger corporations with access to capital. Publicly traded companies headquartered in Washington include Zymogenetics, ICOS, and Cell Therapeutics.

As we enter the 21st century, we are witnessing the convergence of biotechnology and medical technology with informatics, genomics, and telemedicine, areas in which companies and research institutions in Washington State excel. This convergence, combined with the state's existing strengths in electrical engineering, software development, and semiconductor design and fabrication, will position Washington State at the forefront of new technology research development well into the 21st century, nationally, as well as globally.

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