Houston is the place to be if you want to make a difference through biotechnology. We're home to some of the most outstanding life science organizations-including Texas Medical Center, the world's largest medical resource-and the advanced thinking of some of the country's top research universities and creative entrepreneurs. Plus, we offer the resources, culture and networks to take a great idea from the laboratory to the marketplace.
Delivering an incredible range of biotech innovation
Houston has more than 160 biotechnology companies and academic partnerships. Over 75 cutting-edge hospitals and health clinics, and some of the country's top research facilities. World-class research and development is currently taking place in every key biotech cluster-agricultural, biomedical, oncology, environmental, genomics, medical devices and nanotechnology. In 2008 we had the 10th highest rating in the world for the number of patents by city.1 Relocate to Houston and you'll find yourself in the center of some of the most exciting biotech research and application happening in the world today.
Biotechnology
Expansion of biotechnology operations in recent years has moved Houston into the forefront of the industry.
The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Oversight Committee will award an estimated $300 million in grants each year, over the next 10 years, to expedite innovation in cancer research, attract and expand cancer prevention and treatment research capabilities. Much of the funding will be channeled into Houston, as the city emerges as a leader in Biotechnology.
The $175 million Galveston National Laboratory was dedicated in November 2008. It is one of two National Biocontainment Laboratories constructed under grants awarded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease/National Institutes of Health (NIADH/NIH). Research at the lab focuses on therapies, vaccines, and diagnostic tests for naturally occurring emerging diseases such as SARS, West Nile encephalitis and avian flu, as well as deadly pathogens.
Baylor College of Medicine’s Human Genome Sequencing Center is part of the Human Genome Project, the international consortium that completed, two years ahead of schedule, the identification and order of 3 billion DNA letters that make up man’s 46 chromosomes. Many consider this one of the most ambitious scientific undertakings of all time, even compared to splitting the atom or going to the moon.
The BioHouston Resource Center (BRC) provides start-up companies access to wet lab bench space, shared equipment, offices and other tools that emerging companies need. The BRC resides within the new Genesis Biotechnology Park just south of the Texas Medical Center.
The Texas Life Science Conference, held annually in Houston, is the state’s premier biotechnology venture conference, the most comprehensive showcase of cutting edge research and innovative entrepreneurs in the state.
The 2010 issue of Business Facilities ranks Texas as the 2nd strongest state in biotechnology growth and capacity due to strong technology infrastructure, research facilities, commercial company presence, and financing.
BioTech Downloadable PDF Fact Sheet
We're serious about biotech innovation-and deliver the resources to prove it
Biotech is shaping the future of our city and our world, and Houston is poised to be a leader in this critical field.
Grants and Funding
The State of Texas is ranked as the 6th strongest state in biotechnology growth and capacity according to Business Facilities magazine, 2009. Houston is well positioned to be a top-of-mind recipient for a portion of these recently allocated funds:
- $300 million in funding to be awarded annually for each of the next 10 years by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Oversight Committee
- $180 million allocation for research grants from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund
- $7 million, 5-year Innovator Award from the U.S. Department of Defense Cancer Research Program recently awarded to the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for nanotechnology research
Incentives
The Houston area offers a variety of attractive state and local incentives including:
- Tax abatements on property, R&D and pollution control
- Sales tax exemptions
- Emerging technology funding
Business Support
The Houston metro region delivers the support and commitment biotech organizations need for long-term success.
Industry networks and events
BioHouston is a biotech consortium committed to helping Houston organizations facilitate technology transfer and research commercialization, become global competitors in life science commercialization and generate economic growth for the area.
Since 1996, the Texas Healthcare & Bioscience Institute has been the voice for the life science industry in Texas and focuses on lobbying, advocacy and industry revitalization.
The Texas Life Science Conference is the state's premier biotechnology venture conference and is held in Houston each year. This conference is an excellent networking opportunity for the state's research leaders and innovation-seeking entrepreneurs.
Technology Transfer
Houston has a well-developed infrastructure with a track record of successfully transferring technology developed at area research institutions to the private sector. There are dozens of proven resources that can help your organization leverage the commercial value of research advances. Visit Technology Transfer for more information.
Small Business Resources
Have an idea for a biotech business? Houston is a great place to explore it. There are more than 100,000 small businesses in the area, and we have a 6.3% growth rate (2004-2007) for companies of 1-49 employees vs. national average of 43%. Office space and start-up support can be found at a variety of incubator sites around the region, including these biotech specialists:
BioHouston offers access to web lab bench space, shared equipment, offices and other start-up resources.
Houston Technology Center provides life sciences entrepreneurs with business guidance and access to a network of investors, mentors and industry service firms.
Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship supports entrepreneurs and early-stage technology ventures with education, collaboration and research assistance.
Texas Medical Center is a network of 49 world-class medical institutions and a powerful resource for area start-ups.
University of Houston Center for Life Sciences Technology provides local biotech companies with access to space, expertise and equipment.
Plus, Houston is home to the Entrepreneurial Development Center-founded in 1985 it's the oldest business incubator in Texas.
A dynamic and growing region
Houston is one of the country's youngest, most diverse and most rapidly growing metro areas. According to the Census Bureau, the region's population grew 25.2% from the 1990 to the 2000 census, nearly double the national average of 13.2%. The region has the second youngest median age in the country-32.9-and nearly 45% of the population falls into the critical 25-54 age range, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2009 American Community Survey. Houston employed more than 24 percent of Texas’ 10.9 million estimated workforce between ’05 to ’09. In 2010, the Houston region employed nearly 214,000 individuals in life, physical and social science, as well as health care professions.
Academic excellence fuels success today and tomorrow
Houston is home to more than 42 colleges, universities and other degree-granting institutions including research powerhouses like Rice University, the University of St. Thomas and the University of Houston. STEM field and health care related degrees were awarded to more than 35,000 graduates in 2009, accounting for nearly 20 percent of all STEM and health care related graduates in Texas.
An affordable place to locate your business
Houston offers one of the lowest overall costs of doing business for a major metropolitan market, and labor coststhat are below national averages in these biotech specialty areas.
Houston Wages - Biotechnology
Commercial real estate costs are below the national average, and the Houston area has an ample supply of low-cost undeveloped property, office space and industrial space.
And an affordable place to call home
Housing options abound at prices that are well below those of other major metropolitan areas: in fact, the third quarter 2010 ACCRA Cost of Living Index showed that Houston's housing costs are 21% below national averages and that overall after-taxes living costs are 9% lower. And, when Houston is compared to 27 other metro areas with populations over two million, it does even better: housing costs are 38% below average and overall expenses are 19% lower. Plus, Houston residents bring more of their paycheck home: the Houston tax burden is 1.3% below the national average.
