Council for American Medical Innovation

Council for American Medical Innovation, Iowa Biotechnology Association host 'Innovate Iowa: A Best and Brightest Forum on Medical Innovation'

DES MOINES, IA–Iowa leaders in biotechnology, health and medicine gathered in Des Moines today to discuss the importance of medical innovation and the opportunity to grow the Iowa economy. 

Richard Gephardt, former Democratic Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives and chairman of the Council for American Medical Innovation, moderated “Innovate Iowa: A Best and Brightest Forum on Medical Innovation,” highlighting the contributions made to public health and economic security.  Panelists suggested that new discoveries in the life sciences and medicine are critical to the state’s future economic success.  Panelists also outlined the need to build on Iowa’s existing strengths in biosciences and university research.

“Medical innovation has an enormous impact on Iowa’s health and economy, and there is tremendous potential for this state to become a major life sciences hub,” Gephardt said. “Iowa is already home to some of the best universities in the nation.  It is critical to build an infrastructure here to keep the best and brightest young scientists and researchers in the state.  When we find ways to support medical innovation, we create jobs, drive investment and improve our health.

Iowa Governor Chet Culver provided opening remarks at the forum saying “Iowa has grown a promising economic future because of our early investment in agriculture, renewable energy and our tremendous education system.  It only makes sense that we promote innovation to spur bio-pharmaceutical job creation in the future.”

Panelists participating in today’s forum included:

• David J. Miles, Chairman, Iowa Board of Regents
• Doug Getter, Executive Director, Iowa BioTechnology Association
• Tahira K. Hira, Ph.D., Iowa State University
• Stacey Cyphert, MHA, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Health Policy, Senior Assistant Director UI Hospitals and Clinics, University of Iowa
• Doug Reichardt, Chairman Emeritus, Holmes Murphy & Associates

“It just makes sense that Iowa look for ways to build on the sustainable and cutting-edge work already going on in our great state,” said Board of Regents Chairman David Miles.  “By partnering with the scientific and educational community, we can provide Iowa graduates and skilled workers additional opportunity.”

Nationally, the U.S. remains a world leader in science and technology, but other countries are beginning to catch up, with advanced policies that promote investment in medical innovation.

Gephardt emphasized that innovation needs to be the backbone of the nation’s overall economic strategy.  “To remain competitive, U.S. policies should increase incentives for investment in research, development and its application; increase investment in the life sciences; and ensure an increasingly highly skilled and trained workforce here in the U.S.,” he said.

Doug Getter also announced that “Innovate Iowa” will be a year-long program aimed at building on the existing alliances between agriculture, education and research in successfully targeting job creation.  A major conference on the subject is planned for January 2010 to explore research ideas.  Another key effort of “Innovate Iowa” will be to promote life sciences opportunities in the state to young people.

About the Council for American Medical Innovation

The United States faces serious challenges to maintaining its leadership position in innovation. The Council for American Medical Innovation is bringing together leaders in research, medicine, public health, academia, education, labor, and business, who are working in partnership toward a national policy agenda aimed at preserving U.S. leadership in medical innovation. American medical innovators create millions of high-paying jobs, and their discoveries are integral in the fight to cure cancer and other illnesses. The Council for American Medical Innovation views leadership in medical innovation as a key part of America's economic recovery, future prosperity and health.

For more information on the Council for American Medical Innovation, visit www.americanmedicalinnovation.org. Follow us on Twitter @Med_Innovation.

###