Op-ed in the Puget Sound Business Journal with Hans Bishop
Just weeks ago, the two of us stood together to share the good news that Juno Therapeutics has decided to make Washington state its home.
There is no question that this decision is beneficial for Washington. Since making its debut last year, Juno — in partnership with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Seattle Children’s Research Institute — has established itself as one of the most promising players in cancer research.
Investment in Juno has set new records and signals the rise of an important player in biomedical science and our local economy.
While Juno started in Washington state, it was not a foregone conclusion that the company, with a necessarily aggressive growth strategy, would locate its headquarters here. There are other regions with advantages and an eagerness to land companies like Juno.
Juno’s decision to stay was largely influenced by a bold, 10-year vision from state leaders and the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association to make Washington state the global leader in life science innovation and health care delivery.
Last year saw important strides toward that vision.
While we are moving in the right direction, we know we’re competing with other areas of the country that have done more to grow their life sciences ecosystem.
Read the full op-ed here.