Gov. Gregoire hosts Life Sciences Summit; appoints Life Sciences Discovery Fund trustees

For Immediate Release: September 7, 2005

OLYMPIA � Sept. 7, 2005 � Gov. Christine Gregoire today led a summit of more than 200 CEOs, education leaders, world-class researchers and foundation executives to strategize about the state�s role in the life sciences.

�We have powerful assets here in Washington, with leading research institutions like the University of Washington, Washington State University, Fred Hutchinson, the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute and many others,� Gregoire said. �We have leading biomedical companies and venture capitalists. We have organizations like the Gates Foundation that are creating enormous advances in global health.

�If we are going to realize the promise of these institutions, we need a plan and we need action. Today marks a significant step toward the design and implementation of a longer-term strategy.�

Summit attendees participated in a �vision� panel moderated by Keith Seinfeld, science and health reporter for KPLU, and heard presentations on key topics like finance capital, business climate, technology commercialization, education and research.

Gregoire also announced five new trustees for the Life Sciences Discover Fund. She previously named Dr. Lura Powell as chair of the board and Dr. Lee Huntsman as executive director. The new trustees are:

� Jim Cook, retiring dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at WSU. Cook has been one of the university's most honored research scientists.

� Rita Colwell, former director of the National Science Foundation. Colwell has held many advisory positions in the federal government, nonprofit science policy organizations and private foundations, as well as the international scientific research community.

� Former Gov. Gary Locke. Locke is currently a partner with Davis Wright Tremaine�s China and governmental relations practice groups.

� Bruce Montgomery, CEO of Corus and board chair of the Washington Biomedical and Biotechnology Association. Dr. Montgomery has been nationally recognized for his work on treatments for cystic fibrosis.

� Cheryl Scott, president emerita of the Group Health Cooperative. Scott is a national expert in health care delivery, serving on many national boards.

The trustees appointed by the Legislature were also announced. They are Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane; Sen. Bill Finkbeiner, R-Redmond; Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Anacortes; and Rep. Skip Priest, R-Federal Way.

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