The Missouri Life Sciences Project

Policy Initiatives

Missouri's government and local communities are working together to design programs geared towards attracting life sciences research to the state and assisting homegrown ones as the industry continues to advance. There are several initiatives and programs that seek to create an environment that fosters life sciences research and product development.

Lewis & Clark Discovery Initiative (LCDI)
This initiative was signed into law in 2007 to provide Missouri's colleges and universities with $335 million in total funding for facility and infrastructure improvements. LCDI is a statewide plan to enhance the Missouri higher education system's position as a national leader in scientific research and education. New research labs, teaching facilities, business incubators, and a plant science research center will be constructed. Funds provided by the initiative will be augmented by more than $230 million in federal and local matching money, resulting in a total investment of approximately $550 million, one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive higher education building programs. In addition to these funds targeted toward research and education, $15 million was earmarked to the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) for various programs designed to improve commercialization of Missouri technologies. MTC will utilize these funds to work with the state's research institutions, industry, technology commercialization service providers, and capital investors to maximize the opportunities created by Missouri research. Selected programs created by LCDI are the

High-Tech Small Business Incentive Program (allocated $1.25M)

Missouri Venture Partners (allocated $3M)

The Missouri General Assembly allocated $13.4 million to the Life Sciences Research Trust Fund in 2007 and 2008. The Life Sciences Trust Fund was established in the 2003 session, and was intended to set in statute that future legislatures would prioritize 25% of the state's tobacco settlement proceeds into building life sciences research capacity.

Gov. Blunt sought secured a requirement that all gasoline sold in Missouri contain 10 percent ethanol from Missouri grown corn by 2008.At this time Missouri has numerous operating ethanol plants located in Macon, Craig, Malta Bend and Laddonia produces over 165 million gallons of ethanol annually. There are more plants currently in the planning phase, which is expected to produce more than 350 million gallons annually.

The governor has shown a similar commitment to the advancement of the biodiesel industry and also holds the distinction of being the state's only governor to fully fund the biodiesel fund. There are 8 biodiesel plants currently in the planning phase.

The Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, passed by voter approval, will:

ensure Missouri patients have access to any therapies and cures, and allow Missouri researchers to conduct any research, permitted under federal law;

ban human cloning or attempted cloning;

require expert medical and public oversight and annual reports on the nature and purpose of stem cell research;

impose criminal and civil penalties for any violations; and

prohibit state or local governments from preventing or discouraging lawful stem cell research, therapies and cures

Contact Information

For more information on state policy initiatives related to the life sciences please contact:

Jessica.eads@ded.mo.gov

rob.monsees@ded.mo.gov