Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the appointment of new members to New York’s Emerging Technology Advisory Board, which will focus on biotechnology. The board is an independent group of industry leaders tasked with supporting the growth of New York’s biotech ecosystem. It is co-chaired by Andrew Baum, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Pfizer, and Debi Brooks, CEO and Co-Founder of The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
The advisory board brings together established company leaders, research pioneers, non-profit leaders, and industry practitioners who are actively shaping the future of biotechnology and commercial life sciences in New York State.
“New York State is a national leader in biotechnology with innovative research being conducted from Long Island to Buffalo,” Governor Hochul said. “Bringing together these industry leaders from all corners of the state will help expand our biotechnology ecosystem, ensuring New York is at the forefront of life sciences and medical innovation.”
Andrew Baum stated, “New York is uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of biotech innovation. With world-class institutions, entrepreneurial energy, and a commitment to catalytic investment, we’re building a world-class ecosystem where breakthrough therapies are developed right here in the Empire State. Through strategic partnerships, we are confident New York can thrive and expand upon the strong foundation that exists today as the nation’s emerging global leader in life sciences innovation.”
Debi Brooks added, “I’m honored to be appointed to co-chair New York’s Emerging Technology Advisory Board. Together, this Board has the chance to advance public–private partnerships across New York’s biotech sector and deliver breakthroughs that patients and families urgently deserve. At The Michael J. Fox Foundation, we’ve witnessed how strategic collaboration, emerging science and cutting-edge tools can help speed progress. I thank Governor Hochul for convening this group and prioritizing investment in life sciences. I look forward to joining my fellow members of the Board in shaping the future of biotechnology in New York State.”
Hope Knight, President, CEO and Commissioner at Empire State Development commented: “New York State has become a powerhouse for innovation by bringing together world-class researchers, industry leaders, and forward-looking institutions. The creation of this Emerging Technology Advisory Board will further strengthen our life sciences ecosystem by ensuring that breakthrough ideas in biotechnology can be nurtured, commercialized, and scaled right here in New York. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are not only accelerating scientific discovery but also creating the jobs and opportunities that will define the future of our economy.”
Members appointed to the board include representatives from organizations such as Pfizer; The Michael J. Fox Foundation; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy; Excelsior Sciences; Regeneron; SOSV; Deerfield Management; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research; LifeSciencesNY; New York University; Weill Cornell Medicine; Harlem Biospace; Digitalis Ventures; State University of New York.
This phase marks ETAB’s second iteration—last year it focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), producing recommendations that informed programs designed to fund AI startups in New York State as well as train underrepresented students for AI jobs.
State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said: “New York has the talent, infrastructure, and public mission to lead in the development of breakthrough biotechnologies… As we expand innovation in biotech and AI it’s critical we center equity transparency and public good…”
Assemblymember Steve Otis remarked: “At a pivotal time when science public health… dollars are being cut at federal level… This announcement is another example of Governor Hochul’s commitment to next generation scientific discovery.”
Under Governor Hochul’s leadership more than $354 million has been invested into developing life sciences infrastructure across New York State—including opening Roswell Park GMP Engineering & Cell Manufacturing Facility—a $98 million cell & gene therapy hub—and launching Biogenesis Park on Long Island with $430 million dedicated toward accelerating cell & gene therapy development.
Recent years have seen significant investments by major technology companies within New York: GlobalFoundries announced an $11.6 billion expansion project expected to create 1,500 direct jobs plus thousands more indirectly while Micron committed up to $100 billion over 20 years toward a new manufacturing campus projected to create 50 thousand jobs statewide.
