Puerto Rico Accelerating the Future

Transcription

ACCELERATING THE FUTURE
[SPECIAL ADVERTISING S ECTION]
Puerto Rico at a Glance
Area: 13,950 square Km
Population: 3.9 million
Labor Force: 1.3 million
GDP: $75.8 billion (2006 estimate)
GDP per capita: $19,300 (2006 estimate)
Political framework: Commonwealth of the USA since 1952
Average temperature: 80.25 degrees F°
Life expectancy: 78.5 years
Languages: Spanish and English
Puerto Rico
IS RANKED AMONG THE
20 MOST FAVORABLE COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD TO DO
BUSINESS, ACCORDING TO THE WORLD BANK.
xico
Cuba
Jamaica
Dominican Republic
Haiti
PUERTO RICO
Honduras
Nicaragua
Caribbean Sea
Table of Contents
Colombia
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PUERTO RICO | ACCELERATING THE FUTURE
Venezuela
Building the Future on Manufacturing
Over 50 years ago, Puerto Rico embarked upon a process of economic transformation led by
what is now known as the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO). A group of
visionary leaders laid the groundwork to transform what was essentially a very poor agrarian
Caribbean Island into an industrial economy through an innovative economic development
program named Operation Bootstrap that has served as a model for other countries seeking
economic development. Ever since, PRIDCO has played a key role in Puerto Rico’s economic
transformation attracting industries, investments and promoting innovation. Pharmaceutical
companies began to call Puerto Rico home as early as the 1950s and by the following decade,
companies such as Eli Lilly, Abbott, and Pfizer had a foothold on the Island. Today, Puerto
Rico exports approximately $36 billion and $5 billion a year, respectively, in biopharmaceutical
products and medical devices, at intra-company prices.
While Puerto Rico continues to be a manufacturing powerhouse in high technology industries,
a new generation of leaders is driving the economy’s transition toward a knowledge-based
economy under a program known as Operation Minds at Work. The Puerto Rico Science,
Technology and Research Trust is at the forefront of this new economic development program
in alliance with PRIDCO and the University of Puerto Rico. Chartered in 2005, the Trust is tasked
with formulating Puerto Rico’s public policy for science and technology and with providing the
financial and conceptual framework for this new agenda.
The Trust’s flagship project is the development of the Puerto Rico Knowledge Corridor. The
Corridor aims to strengthen the R&D infrastructure through the development of a science city in
the heart of metropolitan San Juan.
Puerto Rico’s new thrust is fully anchored on our manufacturing base and the existing strengths
offered by our premier center of higher education, the University of Puerto Rico. This special
section illustrates Puerto Rico’s strengths and capabilities as it accelerates towards the future.
The Puerto Rico Industrial Development
Company (PRIDCO) is a government-owned
corporation dedicated to promoting Puerto Rico as an
investment destination for companies and industries
worldwide. PRIDCO focuses on the promotion of high
technology industries among sectors such as the
life sciences, technology, computing and services
that leverage on Puerto Rico’s unique combination
of tax incentives, world class human capital, strong
infrastructure and excellent business climate.
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University of Puerto Rico
Facilitating the Future
Throughout its more than 100 years, the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) has
driven and supported the Island’s development. As Puerto Rico transitions to a
knowledge-based economy, the role of the University grows in importance.
To expand the Island’s research and development infrastructure, the University
is investing more than $465 million to build the Molecular Sciences Building, the
Comprehensive Cancer Research Center, a joint initiative with M.D. Anderson Cancer
Center in Houston, and the Bioprocess Development and Training Complex, which
will have research and training components to serve both academic and industrial
needs.
Research activity, measured in terms of external funds, has doubled every five
years since 1985. UPR has strengthened its capacity to attract world renowned
researchers and retain top minds from Puerto Rico. We have also focused on
forging alliances with top scientific research institutions from throughout the world.
UPR’s core mission is to educate and enhance the capabilities of Puerto Rico’s
human capital. The UPR Mayagüez Campus ranks first in the U. S. in graduating
chemical engineers. Our College of Engineering has been a main provider
of engineers to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The University has positioned itself to support and accelerate Puerto Rico’s
development as well as contribute to the global knowledge economy.
CLINICAL RESEARCH
• 1,174 faculty members
• 13 clinical departments
• 35 accredited graduate medical education programs
(residencies and fellowships)
• Graduate program in Biomedical Sciences
ENGINEERING SCHOOL
# 1 in U.S. in graduating CHEMICAL ENGINEERS
# 1 in U.S in graduating HISPANIC ENGINEERS
# 2 in U.S. in graduating WOMEN ENGINEERS
UPR AT A GLANCE
Established: 1903
Enrollment: 65,548 (2007-2008)
Faculty: 4,670 (2007-2006)
Doctoral degrees per year: 90 *
Science degrees per year: 3,820 *
Degrees per year: 9,620*
Campuses: 11
Academic Programs: 494
30 Doctoral Programs: 57% in
Science and Technology
* Average of five year period.
The UPR Río Piedras Campus ranks 112
among the top 200 public universities and 139 among the
top 200 private and public universities awarding doctoral
degrees in the United States according to the latest NSF/
SRS Survey Expenditures at Universities and Colleges.
The UPR Medical Sciences Campus ranks
115 among the top 200 public universities and 166
among the top 200 private and public universities in
Federal Research Expenditures in the United States
according to the latest NSF/SRS Survey Expenditures at
Universities and Colleges.
RANKED 11
in undergraduate enrollment among
ENGINEERING SCHOOLS IN THE U.S.
Bioprocess Development and Training Complex
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Molecular Sciences Building
Comprehensive Cancer Research Center
Investing in Biotechnology
Puerto Rico, the Bioisland, is one of the fastest growing life
sciences centers in the world. A quarter of the world’s biologics manufacturing capacity
is located in Puerto Rico, the largest concentration in the world. Over the past four years,
more than $4 billion has been invested in this sector. Some of the leading companies in
this field are in Puerto Rico.
Abbott - Abbott Biotechnology’s manufacturing facility was built at a cost of $450 million
for the bulk production of Humira, a monoclonal antibody for the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and moderate to severe Crohn’s
disease. The facility employs 220 workers.
Amgen - Amgen’s manufacturing complex is currently undergoing its second expansion
in the last six years, with a total investment commitment of over $2 billion between both
expansions. Amgen’s site produces bulk product for several of Amgen’s recombinant
therapeutic proteins, as well as doing the formulation, fill and finish for a majority of
Amgen’s products. The site employs over 2,000 workers.
Eli Lilly - Eli Lilly’s biotechnology plant, built at a cost of approximately $800 million,
is considered the world’s largest modular biotechnology facility. It produces Humalog,
a recombinant human insulin for the treatment of diabetes. The facility employs
approximately 500 workers.
Ortho Biologics - Ortho Biologics, a J &J company and Puerto Rico’s pioneer in the
biotechnology field, has been producing the active biological ingredient for Eprex,
a recombinant protein for the treatment of anemia in patients with cancer or kidney
disease, since 1991. Ortho employs approximately 200 workers in the production of
Eprex. Janssen, another J&J company, recently completed construction on a sterile
parenteral facility for the formulation, fill and finish of biologics.
BD Biosciences - BD Biosciences, a division of Becton Dickinson, inaugurated its new
facility in October 2007 for the production of monoclonal antibody reagents used for
research and diagnostics. The facility represents an investment of over $50 million.
Bristol Myers Squibb - BMS is investing approximately $200 million in the construction
of a sterile parenteral facility for the formulation, fill and finish of Orencia, an recombinant
protein for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.
The Bioprocess Development and Training Complex, scheduled to open in late 2007
in Mayagüez, will provide training, research and development facilities for both
academia and industry. The 35, 200 square feet facility includes a training center
and four laboratories, a mammalian cell culture suite, a bio-analytical and protein
characterization area, a bio-molecular purification suite and a microbial culture facility.
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Our Foundation for the Future
“Puerto Rico’s attractive business climate and strong commitment to developing
biotechnology manufacturing capability, as demonstrated by the formation of the Puerto Rico
Science, Technology and Research Trust and the establishment of biotechnology programs at
the University of Puerto Rico, were key factors in the decision to expand operations there.”
Fabrizio Bonanni | Executive Vice President, Operations | AMGEN | Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trustee
AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
ESSIG RESEARCH
FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND
HONEYWELL
LOCKHEED MARTIN
PRATT & WHITNEY / INFOTECH
AEROSPACE
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Puerto Rico is a manufacturing powerhouse, primarily known for its life
sciences sector, with over 140 FDA certified plants located throughout the Island. Thirteen
of the 20 leading U.S. prescription drugs are manufactured in Puerto Rico. The Island
boasts the largest concentration of life sciences industries per square foot in the world.
Another knowledge-driven industry has discovered multiple ways to leverage Puerto
Rico’s engineering talent and research excellence. The manufacturing presence of
aerospace industry leader Hamilton Sundstrand is now complemented with Pratt
& Whitney’s engineering analysis & design center, employing over 500 people. In the
research arena, the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez hosts four National Science
Foundation Engineering Research Centers performing cutting-edge research in subsurface
sensing and imaging, adaptive sensing of the atmosphere, power electronic systems and
wireless integrated microsystems. Lockheed Martin has launched a research program
with the University in the development of algorithms
for space-based digital signal processing of synthetic
aperture radar data. Honeywell Aerospace’s operation is
building core capabilities in information technology and
global sourcing, Florida Turbine Technologies’ applied
R&D center has become a reliable source of patentable
inventions, and Essig Research’s engineering services
outsourcing unit delivers work for world-class firms
such GE Infrastructure and Williams International. That
is the power of hosting two of the United States’ largest
engineering programs.
PRIDCO
For over 50 years,
has spearheaded Puerto Rico’s astonishing
transformation into a global manufacturing center. It is now focused on promoting
the transition to a knowledge economy while maintaining and strengthening its
manufacturing sector. Today, the agency has three specialized units to attract and
sustain investment. Two of these are for the life sciences and aerospace/defense
industries. These units provide all type of support for companies established in
these sectors. www.pridco.com
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The Knowledge Corridor
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7
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The flagship project of the
Puerto Rico Science,
Technology and Research Trust
is the development of the Knowledge Corridor, a science
city in the heart of metropolitan San Juan that aims to
strengthen the R&D infrastructure of the Island. The
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first phase of the project entails the construction of
approximately 380,000 square feet of the state-ofthe-art laboratories and incubator space as well as the
construction of residential and commercial projects,
hotels, institutional buildings, and iconic open spaces.
The Corridor will also link, through the existing
Urban Train System, important centers of innovation and
learning, such as the University of Puerto Rico’s
main campus in Río Piedras, the Medical Sciences Campus,
the Botanical Garden, the Molecular Sciences Building and
the Puerto Rico Cancer Center. Once fully developed, the
Corridor will extend over 2,000 acres of land in San Juan.
1. Puerto Rico Cancer Center
2. Molecular Sciences Building
3. Botanical Garden
4. University of Puerto Rico
5. Medical Sciences Campus
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A Research Network
a Living Laboratory
Puerto Rico’s ecological diversity and wealth of human capital contribute to the
University of Puerto Rico’s growing research network.
BOTANICAL GARDEN-UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO
A research center and living laboratory for tropical flora,
the Botanical Garden annually receives 50 researchers from
throughout the world. It is home to 25 bird species and houses
a herbarium with 36,000 samples from the Caribbean, North,
South and Central America.
www.upr.clu.edu/jardin/JardiBot.htm
CARIBBEAN CORAL REEF INSTITUTE
The Caribbean Coral Reef Institute (CCRI) is a cooperative
program between the University of Puerto Rico– Mayagüez
and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Through its sponsored programs and partnerships, CCRI aims
to build research and management capacity in order to fully
utilize the scientific expertise of the region in promoting both
sustainable ecosystems and the services they provide.
www.ccri.uprm.edu
CARIBBEAN PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTER
The Caribbean Primate Research Center (CPRC) conducts
multidisciplinary, collaborative studies on the entire life cycle
of rhesus monkeys as a biological model for humans. For over
30 years, the CPRC has been providing an invaluable service to
the national and international scientific community by providing
Indian-origin rhesus macaques with known backgrounds, and
of the same genetic pool, for use in studies of numerous
diseases that afflict humans.
http://ucm.rcm.upr.edu/cprc.html
CENTER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AND RESEARCH
The Center provides training, research, and psychological
services. It offers a unique context in which faculty and students
can integrate professional practice, theory, and research as
harmonious, balanced parts of the educational experience.
The Research Unit promotes, supports, and develops quality
bio-psycho-social studies by training students and developing
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the faculty members’ research skills.
http://cusep.uprrp.edu/
CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER
The Clinical Research Center of the University of Puerto Rico
Medical Sciences Campus provides the necessary infrastructure
and support services to conduct clinical research activities and
to stimulate the clinical research potential of our faculty. The
Center is funded by a $6 million RCMI grant of the National
Center for Research Resources at the National Institute of
Health.
http://rcrii.rcm.upr.edu/
CREST-CENTER FOR APPLIED TROPICAL ECOLOGY AND
CONSERVATION
The Center is designed to create a research environment
where multidisciplinary groups work together to solve the
complex environmental problems facing the neotropics. The
main goal of the Center is to become a dominant research
center in applied tropical ecology and conservation.
www.crest-catec.upr.edu
INSTITUTE FOR FUNCTIONAL NANOMATERIALS
This recently created entity employs 28 active nanotechnology
researchers from four of the University of Puerto Rico’s
campuses. It recently received $13 million from the National
Science Foundation.
INSTITUTE OF NEUROBIOLOGY
The Institute of Neurobiology is an interdisciplinary,
interdepartmental research center of the Medical Sciences
Campus of the University of Puerto Rico. Its members carry
out basic research in neuroscience, with particular emphasis
on the use of simple systems to understand basic mechanisms
of nervous system function and development. Fourteen fulltime faculty members conduct research and teach graduate
courses. Their research interests range from the development
of insect synapses to the anatomy of retinal projections
in mammals. The Institute houses laboratories equipped
for electrophysiology, biochemistry, molecular biology and
histology, including confocal and electron microscopy.
www.neuro.upr.edu
PUERTO RICO CANCER CENTER
The Puerto Rico Cancer Center (PRCC) promotes basic sciences,
clinical, and epidemiological research in cancer prevention
and control in Puerto Rico. In addition, the Center supports
programs in cancer information and education for the public,
patients, and health professionals. The Center also seeks to
be the basis for a comprehensive cancer center of excellence
in cancer prevention, research, and service for Puerto Rico
and the Caribbean, given its primary concern with cancer in
Hispanics and other minority populations.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH
CENTER
The goal of this Center is to enhance competitive biomedical
research at the UPR Medical Sciences Campus by focusing on
the development of a strong infrastructure for conducting
multidisciplinary collaborative research studies through the
establishment of clusters of excellence in health disparities
affecting the Puerto Rican population. Research facilities
supported by the Center include the Clinical Proteomics
Discovery Core Facility; the Center for Molecular Genetics
and Infectious Diseases Research; the Enhancement of
Neurogenetics Research at the Institute of Neurobiology, and
the Center for Research Information Architecture. The Center is
funded by a $13 million RCMI-grant from the National Research
Resources at the Natinal Institute of Health.
http://rcmi.rcm.upr.edu
THE MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION CENTER
The Center is the joint recipient, with the University of Texas
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, of an $18 million grant from the
National Cancer Institute.
http://www.md.rcm.upr.edu/ccpr/eng/
SEA GRANT COLLEGE
The Sea Grant College Program is an educational program
focusing on the conservation and sustainable use of coastal
and marine resources in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean region.
The program conducts research in the areas of water quality,
fisheries and mariculture, seafood safety, marine recreation
and coastal tourism, coastal hazards and coastal communities
economic development and applies scientific knowledge to
solve a variety of problems afflicting these areas. For over two
decades the program has been working to promote sustainable
development and the wise use of marine resources in Latin
America and the Caribbean region.
www.seagrant.uprm.edu
Located at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus,
this Center (MCC) offers specialized services in the area of
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Mass Spectrometry, Surface
Microscopy and Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction and
Confocal Microscopy to clients from industry, government and
the academic community. In offering these services, which
are not available elsewhere in Puerto Rico, the MCC seeks to
promote closer interaction between industry and academia to
their mutual benefit. Some typical applications of the MCC’s
facilities include: determination of the chemical structure
of unknown compounds, mixture analysis, analysis, and
identification of impurities, identification of trace compounds,
organic volatiles identification (OVI), and characterization of
chemical deposits on a surface.
http://www.mcc.com.pr
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Innovative Minds
our transmission rate has
been almost zero. This has
been the consequence of
diverse research projects
aimed at understanding
and reducing the risk for
perinatal transmission
and the implementation of
aggressive strategies.”
Carlos Rinaldi Ph.D.,
Professor of Chemical
Engineering, Recipient
NSF Career Award, UPR
Mayaguez Campus
“My research is focused on
nanostructured materials,
particularly systems
with dispersed magnetic
nanoparticles. Current
projects deal with magnetic
nanoparticle suspension
hydrodynamics and rheology,
magnetic nanoparticle
based sensors, magnetic
fluid hyperthermia (a novel
form of cancer treatment),
and developing magnetic
nanofibers for anticounterfeiting applications.”
Dr. Walter Frontera M.D.
Ph.D., Dean, School of
Medicine, UPR Medical
Sciences Campus
“The School of Medicine,
as an important part of the
University’s strategic plan,
is interested in building and
strengthening our research
capacity to simultaneously
contribute and benefit from
a knowledge economy.”
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Gregory Quirk M.D. Ph.D.
Professor of Psychiatry,
School of Medicine, UPR
Medical Sciences Campus
Kaumudi Joshipura
D.M.D., Professor of
Odontology, UPR Medical
Sciences Campus
“Our work focuses on how
to reduce learned fears.
Understanding how the
brain normally overcomes
fear could help sufferers
of anxiety disorders such
as post-traumatic stress
disorder. By publishing in
top journals, we have shown
that there is no barrier to
success in neuroscience
in Puerto Rico. Indeed,
first-class science can (and
should) come from diverse
countries throughout the
world.”
“The focus of my
research team is to study
inflammatory and dietary
risk factors for chronic
disease including diabetes,
cardiovascular disease
and periodontitis. In terms
of the public health focus,
our group is interested in
primary and secondary
prevention of diabetes
and its complications.
Cardiovascular disease
and periodontal disease
are among the many
complications of diabetes.”
Carmen Zorrilla M.D.,
Professor of Obstetrics
and Gynecology, Member
of the NIH Advisory
Committee on Women
Affairs, UPR Medical
Sciences Campus
“One of the most
remarkable successes
we have had in the fight
against AIDS has been
the reduction in motherto-infant transmission of
HIV. For the past 10 years
Rosa Buxeda Ph.D.,
Director Industrial
Biotechnology Program,
UPR Mayaguez Campus
“In response to the
portfolio of biotechnology
investments in Puerto Rico,
the Industrial Biotechnology
Program at the University
of Puerto Rico implemented
a biotechnology roadmap
that extends from high
school to on-the-job
training. These initiatives
support the development
of biotechnology in Puerto
Rico as we train our
workforce and aggressively
move towards companysponsored research.
The roadmap has been
successfully implemented in
collaboration with industry
through the Program’s
Industrial Advisory Board.”
Glorisa Canino Ph.D.,
Director of the
Behavioral Sciences
Research Institute,
Member of the Council
National Institute of
Mental Health, UPR
“At the Behavioral Sciences
Research Institute, we
carry out studies of chronic
conditions such as asthma,
mental disorders and
behavioral problems in the
population, particularly
among children. One
example of the work is
the “UPR-CHA Research
of Excellence: Making a
Difference in Latino Health”,
conducted in collaboration
between the UPR, Cambridge
Health Alliance and Harvard
Medical School. Most of
the Institute’s funding is
generated from external
resources obtained through
competitive proposals to the
National Institutes of Health
(NIH). This research has
generated more than 150
publications in peer reviewed
scientific journals.”
Joshua Rosenthal
Ph.D., Assistant
Professor, Institute
of Neurobiology, UPR
“A decided advantage to
doing research in Puerto
Rico is the abundance of
bright, motivated graduate
students. Each year the
University of Puerto Rico
system puts out scores of
students eager to pursue
science. In addition,
because it’s an easy cultural
transition, many top notch
students from Central
and South America are
recruited to Puerto Rico.
These factors coupled with
unfettered access to U.S.
funding sources makes
for a productive research
environment.”
of genetic factors such as
the insulin growth factor
2 gene (IGF2) and the
mismatch repair genes
in the development of
colorectal cancer. We are
also evaluating the use
of nutritional agents such
as calcium, vitamin D and
turmeric as ingredients that
may prevent colon polyps
and cancer.”
Abimael Rodríguez
Ph.D., Professor of
Chemistry, UPR Río
Piedras Campus
“I started out wanting to
become a medical doctor.
But then how many patients
can you treat? As a chemist,
if I discover one drug I could
save thousands of lives. The
main focus of our research
with Caribbean marine
invertebrates is to look for
new drug candidates that
are active against cancer,
tuberculosis, and malaria.”
Marcia Cruz M.D.,
Associate Professor
of Medicine, UPR
Comprehensive Cancer
Center, UPR Medical
Sciences Campus
“One of the areas of
investigations that we are
currently conducting at
the UPR Comprehensive
Cancer Center is the study
Jorge Luis Rodríguez,
President & CEO, PACIV
“For the past 30 years,
Puerto Rico has had the
largest concentration of
biopharmaceutical facilities
per square foot in the
world. As such, there is an
immense pool of talented
and experienced people
with science, engineering
and technical degrees. After
many years of working with
the industry as a process
control and computer
systems validation engineer,
I realized that the process
automation and all its
regulatory compliance
aspects were not being
addressed as a whole by a
solution service provider, so
I founded PACIV. Ten years
later, our headquarters
are in Puerto Rico and
we have offices in the U.S.
and Europe from which we
provide our global clients
with “glocal” solutions in our
areas of expertise.”
José Lasalde Ph.D.,
Professor of Biology,
UPR Río Piedras Campus
“The focus of our laboratory
research (www.nachrs.org)
is on ion channel structure,
related disorders, and
neurodegenerative diseases.
As part of our NIH funded
research, we conduct
experiments on a variety
of organisms, from electric
sting rays, muscle cells from
transgenic mice models
to human macrophages.
We study almost all
aspects of nicotinic
acetylcholine receptors - the
interrelationships of the
receptors’ proteins with the
lipid membrane and how
mutations in these receptors
lead to disease. One project,
funded by the SNRP Neuro
Aids program, focuses
on the potential role of a
neuronal nicotinic receptor
as a pharmacological target
for HIV-associated dementia.
The projects involve both
laboratory and clinical
research in collaboration
with the University of
Chicago, Scripps Institute
and the University of
Washington at Seattle.”
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An Infrastructure for the Future
Puerto Rico offers the business community, investors and researchers quality
infrastructure in many areas needed to support the effective development of business,
research and investments.
Technology: The University of Puerto Rico is part of
Internet 2, a research and development consortium led
by over 200 universities in partnership with industry
and government founded to produce advanced network
applications and technologies to continue developing the
Internet.
Telecommunications: Puerto Rico has a 100% digital
switching telecommunications network, fiber optic cable
available throughout the Island and 92 satellites that connect
Puerto Rico to the world.
Venture capital: In the recent Guayacán Private Equity
Fund II of $60 million raised by private capital venture firm
Advent Morro, an oncology pool was segregated to direct
funds for the commercialization of cancer research. The Fund
may invest up to $5 million in early-stage companies that
are developing or commercializing oncology technologies
being sponsored under the joint collaboration of the UPR
Comprehensive Cancer Center and the University of Texas
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Oncology Pool
investments will typically not exceed $600,000
per portfolio company and will generally require
formal sponsorship from MD
Anderson or one of its
affiliated investment pools.
In addition, the Economic
Development Bank has
earmarked $ 25 million
in venture funds to support
primarily the development
and commercialization of
technology.
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Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust:
This entity formulates public policy for science and technology
and provides the financial and conceptual framework for the
knowledge economy. The Board of Trustees is composed of
five government representatives, including the Secretary of
Economic Development and Commerce and the President of
the University of Puerto Rico and six representatives from the
private sector, including prominent members of the scientific
and industrial communities of the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Alliances: The University of Puerto Rico has developed
numerous alliances with a wide array of institutions to
conduct research and/or clinical studies among them:
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Harvard
University, New York University, University of Nebraska,
Virginia Commonwealth University, National Institute of Health,
National Science Foundation, New York Botanical Garden
and Children’s National Medical Center, San Juan Veteran’s
Hospital and a number of pharmaceutical companies
conducting clinical studies in Puerto Rico.
Construction Cluster: A driving force for the Puerto
Rico life sciences sector is a one stop shop of 10 leading
companies that work as a team to help pharmaceutical,
biotechnology and medical device companies shorten the
timeframe for delivering of facilities and therefore improve
the time-to-market of their products and reduce costs.
Companies offering regulatory compliance and validation
services are part of the team. These companies have
developed competitive advantages allowing them to service
plants in Puerto Rico and export their services to life
sciences companies that want to locate elsewhere in the
world, leveraging their expertise, globally. Puerto Rico and
the companies represented in the Cluster offer a significant
advantage by means of our experience with the
regulatory agencies not only with the FDA
but also with EMEA and other countries,
being Puerto Rico a global exporter of
pharmaceutical products.
Urban Train: Puerto Rico boasts
a modern metro system that
links the municipalities of San Juan,
Bayamón and Guaynabo in a rail system
encompassing 16 stations and 17.2 km.
Each of the stations showcases unique
artwork and architectural style. Plans are
underway to extend the metro system.
Roads: Puerto Rico has a system of
highways and superhighways that ensures
that no point on the Island is more than
two hours away from an airport or
seaport.
Ports: San Juan’s port is ranked 11
among the busiest container ports in
the Western Hemisphere. Forty shipping
lines provide service to 80 U.S. and
international ports.
Airports: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport,
located in metropolitan San Juan, is among the 50 leading airport in the U.S. and
the world’s 100 largest in terms of passenger and cargo movement.
Incentives: Puerto Rico offers a highly competitive package of incentives. Over the
years, the incentive package offered by the Island has been able to attract and sustain
the economy’s strength in the manufacturing sector.
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The advantages of going offshore. The security of being home.
To learn more about all the benefits Puerto Rico offers, visit our website at www.pridco.com or call 1-888-5-PRIDCO.

Puerto Rico Accelerating the Future

Transcription

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