MANA From Heaven

Imagine, if you would, an antibacterial and self-healing bandage that could restore wounds at a record rate. How about a cell-phone-sized portable laboratory that could diagnose everything from diabetes to an HIV infection instantaneously? These are some of the wonders of nanotechnology. Nano, derived from the Greek word for dwarf, looks at matter between 1 and 100 nanometers. A nanometer is 1 billionth of a meter, barely the size of 10 hydrogen atoms lined end to end. For perspective, a human hair generally measures 80,000 nanometers in diameter. Nanoparticles can increase their surface area often by a factor of millions, enabling them to become significantly more reactive — faster to ignite or melt and quicker to absorb. The potential impact on biotechnology could result in a real paradigm shift in product development and how it might be financed.

DAVID B. NASH MD, MBA

The Mid-Atlantic Nanotechnology Alliance (MANA) is a cooperative effort of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology, and Delaware Technology Park. Launched in 2004 with the support of the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, it is the first multistate nanotechnology initiative.

MANA recently commissioned an important regional study from the Battelle Technology Partnership Practice (TPP). As you probably know, Battelle is a vast science-and-technology enterprise that develops and commercializes technology and manages laboratories for customers. Battelle conducts $3.7 billion in annual research and development at more than 100 locations. The Battelle report represents an important road map for the development of nanotechnology, and a deeper evaluation yields some fascinating information.

A number of states are actively pursuing the business of biotechnology, and many have unique attributes that position them for growth in a particular segment of the industry. Maryland and North Carolina position themselves as business-friendly alternatives to biopharmaceutical powerhouses California and Massachusetts, and Midwestern states are vying for agricultural initiatives. According to the report, MANA’s principle role will be to poise the Philadelphia-South Jersey-Delaware region “as a global hub for expanded research, development, application, and commercialization of nanotechnology... [by] highlighting emerging opportunities and building partnerships needed to advance nanotechnology; attracting and securing federal, state, and private investments to accelerate commercialization; and marketing the region’s nanotechnology strengths” (Battelle 2006).

The report goes on to claim that by 2015, consumer spending on nanotech-enabled products could reach $12.5 trillion annually, including super electronic communications and a host of life-saving new medical advances. Clearly, this could represent “MANA from heaven” for the biotechnology industry.

RIGHT TIME AND PLACE

Just as various states and regions bring different strengths to the biotechnology table, the greater Philadelphia tri-state area is well-positioned to become a nanotechnology leader. The region trails only California in nano-related patents, and ranks third nationally in both National Science Foundation and National Institute of Health nano-related grants (Battelle 2006). More than 100 companies in the region engage in nanotechnology research, product development, and near-term business activities. According to the report, the area will continue to exhibit triple the employment concentration in the pharmaceutical sector relative to the rest of the nation, and will attain a 23 percent share of 2014 nanotechnology sales revenue. It’s clear to me that in less than a decade, nearly 25 percent of pharmaceutical-related sales revenue in this already highly developed geographic area will be due to nanotechnology advancements.

I encourage readers to seek out new nanotechnology-related partnerships with leading universities in their own geographic areas, and to emulate the Philadelphia region’s work with the creation of comparable collaborative activities. Hats off to Battelle and colleagues for a breakthrough report and a vigorous analysis of the marketplace. Perhaps your own organization or region can also one day look forward to receiving MANA from heaven.

I am always interested in your views. You can reach me by e-mail at «david.nash@jefferson.edu».