Commentary on BIO’s 2010 Governor of the Year
Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley 

The Tech Council of Maryland and its MdBio Division, Maryland’s BIO affiliate, nominated Governor Martin O’Malley for the BIO 2010 Governor of the Year Award. As the Governor of Maryland, one of the leading states for biotech companies nationally, Governor O’Malley is a public servant who is deserving of this Award because of his leadership and commitment to advancing biotech.

• Governor O’Malley has made the advancement of Maryland’s biotech industry a cornerstone of his economic development efforts during his tenure in office.

• Governor O’Malley prescribed the Life Sciences Advisory Board and tasked them with creating a strategic plan to advance the biotech industry in Maryland. That plan details a strategic vision, and established priorities and actions to advance Maryland as a Global Life Sciences Leader.

• Governor O’Malley launched the Maryland BIO 2020 Initiative, pledging more than $1.3 billion in biotech investments over the next ten years.

• Governor O’Malley funded and supports on a consistent basis the Maryland Biotech Investment Tax Credit, an innovative program that provides support to emerging biotech companies in Maryland.

• Governor O’Malley funded and supports on a consistent basis the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund.

• Governor O’Malley and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a landmark bi-coastal collaboration on stem cell research. With this new accord, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), the administrator of the Maryland Stem Research Commission, are laying a foundation for joint Maryland-California research to advance stem cell therapies for treatment of some of today’s most debilitating diseases.

• Governor O’Malley was instrumental in convening the 2009 World Stem Cell Summit in Baltimore, Maryland. During the Summit, the Governor received the Genetics Policy Institute’s National Leadership Award.

• Governor O’Malley’s leadership has led to significant expansion of Maryland’s major research parks. In addition, the State has attracted, or assisted in launch or expansion, more than 50 bioscience companies in the last two years.

TCM and its MdBio Division congratulate Governor Martin O’Malley on his accomplishments and pledge to continue to play our role in advancing the biotech industry in Maryland. We commend BIO for bestowing our Governor with this prestigious Award.

Renée M. Winsky                                                                                           Richard A. Zakour
Chief Executive Officer                                                                                  Executive Director
Tech Council of Maryland                                                                             MdBio Division