Governor Bill Ritter Jr. Signs Executive Orders Initiated by Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) to Ensure Continued Investment in Life Sciences

Denver, CO, May 28, 2010 --(PR.com)-- The Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) and statewide business groups joined Governor Bill Ritter Jr., as he signed two executive orders designed to further the growth of emerging technology companies within the state of Colorado. The announcement is made by Denise Brown, CBSA Interim Executive Director, who says the first executive order calls for an online “Investment Opportunity Index” to classify opportunities for capital investment within the bioscience and cleantech industries. The Index will be located on the website of the Colorado Office of Economic Development, and will serve as an information clearinghouse for potential investors and partners.

The second order calls for the formation and quarterly meeting of a Roundtable on Venture Capital which includes the Governor. This group will serve at the direction of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade as an advisory group supporting Colorado’s efforts to encourage investment in companies located in Colorado. The mission of Governor’s Advisory Committee on Venture Capital Investment will provide support and encourage the growth of the investment in the three targeted industries: Aerospace, Bioscience, and Renewable Energy.

“Efficient communication and outreach are key to Colorado’s competitiveness in the global marketplace. The executive orders signed today will help engage investors online and strengthen the bioscience industry’s relationship with the Governor’s office. This reflects a new approach to the changing investment market, as well as a continued tradition of strong industry-public sector partnership in Colorado” Brown explains. “We strongly believe Colorado offers unparalleled investment and partnership opportunities to companies, and the newly signed initiatives will further ensure our innovation-driven industries in Colorado continue to grow and thrive.”

The executive orders were signed during a CBSA event held at the Colorado State Capitol entitled “Hot Button Issues in Bioscience: Health Care Reform and Financing Constraints.” Jim Linfield, Partner with Cooley LLC, discussed two important issues facing the bioscience industry in the state, health care and financing issues. Linfield focused on key aspects of the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act and the possible impact on the industry. He also discussed financial constraints facing the industry and how the two executive orders would promote easier access to capital and showcase Colorado as a state which is committed to working with the industry.

Full text of the executive orders can be found on CBSA’s website at these links:

http://www.cobioscience.com/ExecutiveOrder_InvestmentIndex.pdf

http://www.cobioscience.com/ExecutiveOrder_VentureCapitalInvestment.pdf

About Colorado BioScience Association

The CBSA supports the economic development of Colorado through the creation of a premier bioscience cluster within the state. Representing more than 400 members, the CBSA facilitates growth of the bioscience industry in Colorado through advocacy, representation and service. Poised to become one of the most exciting and advanced bioscience clusters in the country, Colorado is currently home to a thriving industry community of biotechnology, medical device, pharmaceutical, health care providers, research institutions and those businesses providing critical services and products to those companies. For more information about Colorado's dynamic bioscience cluster, visit the CBSA at http://www.cobioscience.com.

CBSA also is found on these social media sites:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/COBioscience
LinkedIn Group: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=98468&trk=anet_ug_grppro
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/ColoradoBioScienceAssociation
News Feed: http://coloradobio.blogspot.com
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/COBioscience

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Contacts:

Kathryn Bailey, Director of Operations and Communications, Colorado BioScience Association, 303-592-4089 or KBailey@cobioscience.com

Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, Absolutely Public Relations - http://www.absolutelypr.com - 303-984-9801, maggie@absolutelypr.com