Center of Magnetic Resonance (CERM logo)

Ambassador Ronald Spogli
Opening Remarks
at "Life Sciences Exchange Project" Conference

CERM, University of Florence,May 12, 2006

Mayor Gianassi, Assessore Martini, President Mantellassi, Professor Bertini,

I would like to thank you for hosting this important program at CERM today. I would also like to welcome the Italian companies and institutions present for your interest in creating new ties with the United States.

As I understand it, last January, Professor Bertini challenged the Consul General and the American Consulate in Florence to bring over a group of U.S. companies in the life sciences field to explore opportunities for partnership in Italy. The Consulate took the challenge seriously and, hence, today we have with us the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse.

I would like to thank the Americans for your presence and your commitment to this initiative aimed at creating opportunities for collaboration with your Italian counterparts.

Exchange in the field of biotechnology is particularly important as the United States and Europe examine how to remain competitive in the global economy. The life sciences industry holds the promise of high quality jobs and economic development coveted by so many countries, states, and regions the world over.

The biotech industry is an important engine for economic growth in the U.S. The federal government spends $28.7 billion per year annually to fund research through the National Institutes of Health and individual states have also invested heavily in the life sciences. Pennsylvania dedicated its $100 million in tobacco settlement money to develop this industry and to fund the Pittsburgh’s greenhouse, which is a prime example of how a traditional industrial economy can be transformed by biotech.

Italy also has an important role to play with world class centers of excellence in research, such as CERM, and a small but dynamic life sciences industry.

Creating and strengthening the connections between the U.S. and the Italian biotech industries, through programs such as this one, is key. I am particularly proud to support this program as part of our “Partnership for Growth Initiative” through which the Embassy and the Consulates are working with the Italian government at all levels to promote economic growth. It is in the vital interest of the United States to see the Italian economy overcome this moment of stagnation. This is true not only due to our economic interdependence but also due to our many mutual international commitments such as the war on terror and our joint missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Increased technology transfer and other business partnerships in the life sciences field is one step in the right direction to strengthen our ties in an area of strategic importance for the future of both our economies.

Thank you again for your commitment to creating those ties and I wish you a productive and successful session today.