Tom Watkins, CEO Human Genome Sciences & Chairman of BIO, “Life Sciences: BIO, Maryland, and More” at BioMaryland Booth at BIO International Convention 2012

http://hgsi.com/

http://www.bio.org/

http://www.marylandbiocenter.org/bioscience%20of%20maryland/pages/lifesciencesadvisoryboard.aspx

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (HGSI: NASDAQ) operates as a biopharmaceutical company in the US. Its principal products include BENLYSTA for systemic lupus erythematosus; and raxibacumab for inhalation anthrax. The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is the world’s largest biotechnology trade association. BIO is a 503c non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. BIO provides advocacy, business development, and communications services for more than 1,100 members worldwide. SNNLive spoke with Tom Watkins, President and CEO of Human Genome Sciences, Inc. and Chairman of the Board for Biotechnology Industry Organzation (BIO) at the BioMaryland Booth at the BIO International Convention 2012 in Boston, MA.

In this interview, Mr. Watkins discussed multiple topics including Human Genome Sciences, why HGSI chose Maryland, Biotechnology Industry Organization, which Mr. Watkins is Chairman of, and concludes with why young entrepreneurs in the biotech space should strongly consider Maryland to develop their ideas. “Human Genome Sciences is a biotechnology company based in Rockville, MD. We’re almost 20 years old. In the last 2 years, we have been very excited to bring the first newly approved drug for systemic lupus to the market. This is a drug that was approved by the FDA in March of 2011, and is the first drug specifically approved for lupus in 56 years”, Mr. Watkins begins. He also goes on to explain why Human Genome chose Maryland: “We chose Maryland initially, I believe, it was well before my time, because of the access and closeness to the NIH, other federal agencies. Its proven to be a terrific place to build a company. Great talent pool, a state and county whose leadership really knows how to support life sciences.”

“Life sciences in the state of Maryland is really progressing. I chair something called the Life Sciences Advisory Board for the state. Governor O’Malley appointed me to that position in 2007. We have a great group of talent on the Life Sciences Advisory Board. We help to state put together plans and strategies for how to move ahead in Life Sciences. This is a Governor and administration that really listens to how we can be more hospitable to building Life Sciences“, Mr. Watkins states when asked about how Life Sciences is doing in Maryland. For more information about Human Genome Sciences, BIO, or the Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board, check out one of the links above. SNNLive welcomes Tom Watkins, President and CEO of Human Genome Sciences and Chairman of the Board of Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).

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