newjerseynewsroom.com

A bipartisan Assembly task force that would attempt to identify ways to attract the life sciences industry to New Jersey was formed Wednesday by Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex) and lower house Majority Leader Joseph Cryan (D-Union).

Oliver and Cryan said the task force will try to identify ways in which New Jersey can retain and attract new life science industry to spur growth and create jobs across the state. The panel would also attempt to identify the barriers to life science growth in New Jersey and examine the successful programs in other states that are encouraging growth and attracting life sciences companies to see if there are financial, tax and regulatory incentives that New Jersey should be exploring.

The task force will include from the Assembly Higher Education Committee Chairwoman Pamela R. Lampitt (D-Camden) and Vice Chairman Thomas P. Giblin (D-Essex), from the Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee Chairman John J. Burzichelli (D-Gloucester) and Vice Chairwoman Annette Quijano (D-Union), and from the Telecommunications and Utilities Committee Chairman Upendra Chivukula (D-Somerset) and Vice Chairman Wayne P. DeAngelo (D-Mercer).

The Republican appointments are expected to be announced soon.

"The Assembly is committed to ensuring New Jersey remains a leader in the job-creating innovation and economic gains that come along with the life sciences industry," Oliver said. "That includes nurturing new companies while ensuring the ones we already have remain strong, helping put New Jersey's economy in a strong position to succeed."

"We know the life sciences industry is the future, and the Assembly wants New Jersey to be the leader in the high-paying jobs and economic expansion it will help create," Cryan said. "This task force will help guide our efforts and recommend any legislation and initiatives we may need to help ensure our life sciences industry remains ahead of the pack."

"Strengthening New Jersey's life sciences capabilities and promoting innovation in both academia and industry are key components to growing New Jersey's economy, creating high-paying jobs and discovering new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent disease," said Dr. Kathleen Scotto, vice president for research at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. "Having a dedicated focus on New Jersey's life sciences industry — from our research universities to our biopharmaceutical and medical technology companies — shows a strong commitment to supporting an enterprise that could be the envy of the world."

"This new task force is a powerful reflection of the pivotal work of the state's life sciences community and its importance as an economic driver," said Dean Paranicas, chairman of the Steering Committee of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey.

— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM