The Rochester region has a vibrant bioscience and biotechnology sector but suffers from the state's inability to develop strong public policy, business and political leaders said.

Associations representing the drug and biotech industries issued a report last week outlining the biopharmaceutical sector's contributions in revenue, jobs and tax payments.

Industry officials, state Sen. Joseph Robach, R-Greece, Assemblymen Joseph Morelle, D-Irondequoit, and Robert Oaks, R-Macedon, discussed the report Friday at Rochester Institute of Technology's Center for Bioscience Education and Technology.

Nathan Tinker, executive director of the New York Biotechnology Association, said the biopharmaceutical sector — including drug research and manufacturing firms — accounted, directly and indirectly, for about 6,000 jobs in the Rochester area.

Tinker and Ed Belkin, vice president of communications for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, said the report, in demonstrating the strength of the industry, encourages public and private efforts to do more.

Tinker and Morelle said startup companies tend to leave for states that are more high-tech-oriented and tax-friendly. "We retain only 15 percent of the entrepreneurs," Tinker said.

Both Tinker and Morelle said Empire State Development Corp., the state's economic development arm, didn't support emerging bioscience firms sufficiently.

In reply, an agency spokeswoman said, "ESD continues to place great emphasis on growing and sustaining this industry's presence and competitiveness across New York state."

TTOBIN@DemocratandChronicle.com

Tom Tobin
Staff writer