Apr. 28--ALBANY -- The state's biopharmaceutical industry continues to expand despite the recession, industry and academic leaders said Monday during a news conference at the state Capitol.

They were in Albany to unveil a report that shows the industry's potential for growth, and the impact that growth could have on the state's economy.

The report's release occurred on a day when public attention was focused on the spread of the swine flu virus, something that Carl Hayden, chair of the board of trustees of the State University of New York, called ironic.

Among the study's findings:

The Capital Region ranks just behind New York City and Long Island in the greatest number of people directly employed in the sector, with 7,879. Statewide, the number of employees is 55,000.

The sector has grown despite the recession.

The average salary nationwide is $88,000, while in New York, it's $68,000.

Sponsors of the study, by Archstone Consulting, include the New York Biotechnology Association and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

Nathan Tinker, executive director of the state biotech association, said the private sector continues to support the bulk of the spending on drug research and development, providing 70 percent of the funding, with 25 percent coming from universities.

He called it "an undervalued sector" of the state's economy.

New York state ranked second in National Science Foundation funding for biological science research and in the number of active clinical trials, third in National Institutes of Health funding, and fourth in direct biopharmaceutical employment, the study found.

But it was 31st in the average wage per employee, and 38th in annual employment growth.

F. Michael Tucker, president and CEO of the Albany-based Center for Economic Growth, said he suspects the weak ranking in average pay reflects the fact that pharmaceutical companies' front office operations are elsewhere.

"The facilities located here in New York are research units of companies headquartered in other states," he said.

He also said the study's findings "have us reviewing our marketing strategies to attract companies to the area."

The study identified Albany Molecular Research Inc., Queensbury-based medical instruments maker AngioDynamics Inc., and laboratory mouse provider Taconic, based in Columbia County, as major biopharma companies in the Capital Region. Research institutions based here include Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University at Albany, and Albany Medical College.

And what can lawmakers do?

"We need a public policy environment that nurtures innovation," said Mark Amodeo, director of government affairs for the Business Council of New York State, which represents the state's largest companies.

Eric Anderson can be reached at 454-5323 or by e-mail at eanderson@timesunion.com.

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