---

FEATURE

Utah a Center for Gene Technology and Personalized Medicine

The scientific world turned its eyes toward Salt Lake City last week as University of Utah researcher Mario Capecchi earned a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Capecchi’s work to create “knockout” technology allows researchers to create mice with mutations in any desired gene and gives them the ability to manipulate the DNA sequences in the genome of living Mice. The breakthrough technology also makes it possible to evaluate any mouse gene at any stage of development, enabling the production of animal models for human diseases such as cancer.

“Mario Capecchi’s groundbreaking work in gene targeting will have an incalculable impact on generations to come,” U. President Michael K. Young said following the Nobel Prize announcement. “We are deeply honored and grateful that he is one of ours.”

Capecchi, a scientist at the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics at the U., isn’t the first researcher to turn the spotlight on Salt Lake’s advances in genetic manipulation. In fact, Salt Lake is a leader in genetic technology and personalized medicine, according to Scott Woodward, director of the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation.

“Genetics will be at the core of personalized medicine and Utah will have a huge part in that,” Woodward says. “All of the parts have been in place for a lot of years and the time is right.”

The time is also right for that research to spur economic growth in Salt Lake. Companies such as Myriad Genetics, Sorenson Genomics and others have all tapped genetic research to discover new medical treatments, pharmaceuticals and diagnostic tools. “That’s the future. This is ongoing; it’s very much alive and dynamic and moving very rapidly,” Woodward says.

Perhaps Salt Lake’s greatest advantage in genetic research is the Utah Population Database, a multi-generation pedigree of more than eight million records. The database currently supports about 55 research projects and is used by the Huntsman Cancer Institute to identify cancer genes such as the breast cancer mutation, the P16 gene mutation in melanoma cancer and the APC gene mutation in colon cancer. The database, which is the largest in the United States, is also used to identify families with higher incidence of disease, to analyze patterns of genetic inheritance and to identify specific genetic mutations.

Louisa Stark, director of the Genetic Science Learning Center at the U., says the Utah Population Database has helped the U. become one of the top places in the world for human genetics research. “More genes for disease have been discovered at the U. than anywhere else in the world,” according to Stark, and genetic information from the database is now available for companies that want to develop personalized medicine.

Dr. Lorris Betz, senior vice president for Health Sciences at the University of Utah and member of the EDCUtah executive committee, says the combination of the state’s leadership in genetic research and the location of a major academic medical center at the University solidifies the state’s standing as a hotbed of genetic research.

“We can move research from the laboratory into the clinic. We can probe diseases that cluster in families, develop drugs to target the genes, and then test the potential treatments for their effectiveness and practicality in the clinical research setting,” Betz says.

Seeing the economic potential of genetics and personalized medicine, the Utah Legislature and state universities have made financial commitments to expand research in this area. A multi-million dollar investment into the Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative will bring renowned research teams to the University of Utah and to Utah State University to complete cutting-edge research in a variety of scientific fields. The Initiative hopes to infuse the state’s economy with 430 new spin-off companies and 123,000 new jobs in the next 30 years.

Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr., is also eyeing the economic potential of the expanding genetics field, listing life sciences as one of the seven “clusters” in his economic development plan for the state. The plan will focus on personalized medicine, genetics and biomarker development, pharmacological research and microbe technology. Already, there are an estimated 700 life science companies in the state.

For Woodward, advances in human genetics have turned into a genealogical business with the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation. With DNA samples from more than 170 countries, the Foundation helps clients who have hit roadblocks in family history work. With a simple DNA test, clients can learn what region and time period might hold clues to branches of their family tree. “Seven years ago, there was no such thing as genetic genealogy. Now it’s an idea that was launched here in Utah and spread throughout the world,” Woodward says.
 

---

CALENDAR

Oct. 18:  PTAC Symposium (Sandy, South Towne Expo Center)
Cost: $50.00/person for the first person and $35.00/ additional registration from the same company. Fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and all the training sessions, exhibits and materials. Time: 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Event Coordinator: Myrna Hill
Phone: 801-388-775. E-mail: ptac@utah.gov

Oct. 21:  Utah's Inventor Symposium; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Miller Business Resource Center, 9690 S. 300 W., Sandy. UtahInventor.org welcomes world-renowned inventors Stephen Jacobsen Ph.D. and Woody Norris. Presented by The Spirit of Renaissance® Foundation., the symposium will bring together inventors, entrepreneurs, and business people from all sectors of the community. To view the schedule and learn more about the Symposium, please visit www.UtahInventor.org. A $20 membership fee paid through the website covers the cost of attendance. Click here for symposium and registration information.

Oct. 28-31:  CoreNet (Atlanta)

Nov. 7:  EDCUtah Quartely Update

Dec. 19:  EDCUtah Holiday Open House

Jan. 9:  "What's Up Down South?" Economic Summit at the Dixie Center in St. George. Contact Information:
Contact: Scott Hirschi, c/o Dixie College, 225 South 700 East
St. George, UT 84770  (435) 652-7750
www.whatsupdownsouth.co

---

EDCUTAH PARTNERS

Current Partners
Why Be a Partner?
Board of Trustees

---

The EDCUTAH Economic Review is a weekly publication of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. It is distributed to EDCUTAH partners and selected other government and civic organizations interested in Utah's economic development. If you prefer not to receive this newsletter, please use the link below. Subscribe or Unsubscribe Your comments and suggestions regarding this newsletter are always welcome. Click here: Comments

Procter & Gamble Family Care
to Build New Manufacturing Facility in Box Elder County

CINCINNATI, (October 17, 2007) – Procter & Gamble Family Care, which includes the tissue/towel brands of Bounty, Charmin, and Puffs, will increase its manufacturing capacity by building a new plant in Box Elder County, Utah.

The new facility will enable P&G Family Care to better serve the Western U.S., which is the fastest growing region of the United States. The facility will include a new paper machine, converting lines, and warehouse space. Groundbreaking is expected in early 2008 with the new paper machine starting up in early 2010. Many of the energy and water conservation technologies developed and implemented at existing Family Care manufacturing sites will be incorporated into the design and construction of this new facility.

“Utah is proud that Procter & Gamble has chosen to locate its newest manufacturing plant here,” said Governor Jon Huntsman. “It’s been an honor for me over the past several months to get to know many from the P&G team. I look forward to officially welcoming one of America’s top corporate citizens to the State of Utah.”

“Procter & Gamble is excited to be joining the community of Box Elder County, Utah,” said Mary Lynn Ferguson-McHugh, President of P&G Family Care. “We are looking forward to working in partnership with this community for a long time. This facility will increase the number of skilled jobs available in Northern Utah while enabling P&G to better serve consumers in western U.S. “

Procter & Gamble’s Family Care business has grown consistently over the past three years on the strength of innovations like Charmin Ultra Strong, Puffs with the Scent of Vicks, and Best Ever Bounty. P&G has addressed this increase in demand by building new paper machines at existing sites and by improving the efficiencies of existing machines. Procter & Gamble Family Care currently has five manufacturing sites in the United States: Albany, GA, Cape Girardeau, MO, Green Bay, WI, Mehoopany, PA and Oxnard, CA. The Box Elder County plant will be the first new Family Care manufacturing facility in the U.S. since Oxnard began operation in 1973.

The Box Elder county plant is expected to be about an initial $300 million investment with approximately 300 employees. Based on other Family Care manufacturing plants, additional local spending at the site is expected to be about four times greater than local payroll. P&G Family Care plants lead the Company in developing diverse workforces and in supporting the needs of local communities and employees. Examples include an on-site 24/7 Child Care Center at the Albany facility, a high level of community involvement and contribution to local charities, and a high efficiency cogeneration facility at Oxnard that supplies surplus energy to the city.

About Procter & Gamble

Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Folgers®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Actonel®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, and Braun®. The P&G community consists of 138,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

---

IN THE NEWS

Economic Development Headlines from the Past Week

Cheesecake Factory chain to enter Utah market

- The Cheesecake Factory, will enter the Utah market Nov. 1 with the opening of a 10,200 square foot freestanding unit at 6223 S. State St., adjacent to the Nordstrom store at Fashion Place Mall, Murray. (SL Enterprise) (Utah Business Magazine) 

Shopping center developer to build corporate training center

- Phillips Edison & Co. has broken ground for its Blue Sky Corporate Ranch, a corporate training and conference center on approximately 3,070 acres outside Wanship, 12 miles northeast of Park City. (SL Enterprise)

Sorenson Group to develop 5,000 acres in Wasatch County

- Wasatch County's population could nearly double during the next 25 years as a result of the Sorenson Group of real estate companies breaking ground on a massive new community called Jordanelle Ridge.  (SL Enterprise)

Record number of oil and gas wells were permitted in Utah last year

- Production of oil and natural gas in Utah is experiencing a boom. A record 2,062 oil and gas wells were permitted in the state in 2006, up 27 percent from 2005. (SL Enterprise)

Deal deadline looms for Powder Mountain project

- Time is running out for investors who began the process more than two years ago to turn Powder Mountain resort into a four-season luxury development. (SL Tribune)

Tiny North Logan has big plans

- The small town of North Logan, population 7,558, has big plans: creation of a city center that includes a hotel/conference center, village green and mixed-use development. (SL Tribune)

WTC Utah leader talks global biz to Chamber

- With a trade trip to China just around the corner, members of the Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce took time on Thursday during a monthly luncheon to talk about doing business internationally. (The Spectrum)

Kennecott ski resort won't connect with Tooele Valley

- Skiers and snowboarders in Tooele County may soon be able to hit the slopes in their very own backyard if Kennecott's plan for a ski resort in the Oquirrh Mountains comes to fruition. (Tooele Transcript Bulletin) (Morning News)
(SL Tribune)

Port 15 project begins

- Thanks to LM Construction Co., the folks behind Port 15 have taken another step toward the ultimate vision as one of the largest industrial parks in Utah. (The Spectrum)

Ethnic event attracts 300 firms

- More than 300 businesses participated in the second annual Ethnic Business Conference sponsored by the Utah Department of Community & Culture's State Office of Ethnic Affairs at the Salt Palace convention center on Wednesday. (Morning News)

County right to focus on small-business growth

- The recent announcement that Tooele County plans to open a new small business center in the old J.C. Penney's building is welcome news indeed. (Tooele Transcript Bulletin)

Grantsville set to grow eastward with new project

- Grantsville Mayor Byron Anderson cast the deciding vote last week to tip a split City Council and approve a new $85 million development on the east end of the city that will include commercial and retail components, as well as high-density housing. (Tooele Transcript Bulletin)

Pete Suazo Business Center Serves Growing Latino Market

- Serving budding entrepreneurs in the minority community, the Pete Suazo Business Center in Salt Lake City reports significant program and interest expansion among Utah’s growing Latino community in its recently released annual report. (Utah Business Magazine)

Women Can Make Business Happen at New Entrepreneurship Conference

- Women business owners can gain insight, understanding and training from others in the industry at the Conference for Women Entrepreneurs today at Utah Valley State College. (Utah Business Magazine)

Real Economic Development

- Utah governments are well-practiced when it comes to doling out financial incentives. Often, one city will offer a large retailer a generous tax break if it will relocate from a neighboring city. (Morning News)