As the Executive Director of the Sussex County Health Coalition, it is our duty to improve the well-being and health of our communities through a robust healthcare system. Thankfully, Delaware is positioned to do just that, driven by innovation, investment, and strategic partnerships across key industries.
This is particularly evident in our biopharmaceutical sector, which plays a pivotal role in driving this transformation. By addressing and preventing some of the most prevalent and debilitating diseases, this industry not only enhances public health, but also drives significant economic growth for our state.
It is clear that the biopharmaceutical industry has played a critical role in providing effective vaccines to combat diseases, including polio, smallpox, tetanus, and COVID-19. In recent years, the industry has also introduced groundbreaking treatments for conditions once considered untreatable, such as spinal muscular atrophy, cystic fibrosis, hepatitis C, and sickle cell disease. Biopharmaceutical advancements have also contributed to a 34% decline in the cancer death rate over the past 30 years, saving more than 4.5 million lives.
Delaware serves as a national leader in biomedical innovation. In just three short years, nearly 200 bioscience related patents have been assigned to individuals and companies based in Delaware, showcasing the remarkable success and innovation within the state’s healthcare community.
This includes the development of several major medical treatments helping improve patients outcomes. Incyte, based in Wilmington, produces Jakafi, the first FDA-approved medication for treating myelofibrosis, a blood cancer. AstraZeneca, also with U.S. headquarters in Wilmington, manufactures Tagrisso to treat non-small cell lung cancer. Several other companies like Prelude Therapeutics, ACROBiosystem, NRX Pharmaceuticals, and Agilent Technologies are also making major biomedical breakthroughs and hold a major presence in Delaware.
Furthermore, the groundbreaking medical advancements driven by Delaware’s biopharmaceutical industry have played a key role in propelling our economy forward. This sector generates around $2 billion in GDP, employing over 11,000 workers. Overall, 80% of the U.S. pharmaceutical industry is headquartered in Delaware and its surrounding regions, accounting for one in six pharmaceutical employees nationwide. Additionally, Delaware continues to attract emerging businesses, solidifying its reputation as a hub for the life sciences industry. This is evident in the 65% growth in new biotechnology R&D companies in recent years.
Now, to continue this success, the industry is making significant investments supporting local communities through workforce development to prepare the next generation of biomedical leaders and researchers. Just last year, the Delaware BioScience Association formed the Delaware Center for Life Science Education and Training. This includes a $3 million investment to train students in essential science skills necessary for complex biomanufacturing and laboratory roles.
Delaware’s pharmaceutical industry plays a vital role in the state’s prosperity and public health. In order to help continue this success, our lawmakers should support the industry as much as they can. That includes promoting policies encouraging research and development investment, streamlining regulatory processes, and fostering public-private partnerships to tackle major public health challenges. Such investments will help the biopharmaceutical industry continue to develop critical medical treatments and therapies that improve public health and bolster the state’s economy.
Peggy Geisler is the executive director of the Sussex County Health Coalition.
