Maryland Biotech Firm Celera to California

by jimmy on March 1, 2008

The 270 corridor in near Rockville, MD has long been the hub of the biotech industry.  Companies located there, like HGS and Celera, were instrumental in mapping the human genome during the last decade.  They have brought good economic times and notoriety to the local area.

Unfortunately I read and article in the Washington Post today stating that Celera was moving their headquarters to northern California.  This caps a 2007 where many of the local biotech firms were bought up by larger international companies.  While these purchases has created great wealth for some in the area, it has shifted the focus of this vital industry away from Maryland.

Hopefully the money will stay in the region and can be put to good use in helping the budding tech community here grow and thrive.

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Steve 03.01.08 at 12:46 pm

Jimmy,
Unfortunately, I think we may be seeing the fruit of the State Legislature’s efforts from last year. Many predicted that companies would either leave or not move here at all because of the high tax rate for businesses and individuals. I hope I am wrong.

jimmy 03.01.08 at 4:52 pm

@steve Thanks for stopping by. And yes I would agree, combine that with the Maryland Tech Tax I wrote about and it is not very good

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