NC Research Campus and UNC Partner On Comprehensive Bio Resource - CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The North Carolina Research Campus signed a deal this week with the University of North Carolina system outlining their innovative public-private partnership. The relationship will help make the campus one of the world’s most comprehensive biotech resources, combining the research power of leading universities with the know-how of business.

NC Research Campus and UNC Partner On Comprehensive Bio Resource
Posted: 12-07-2006 : CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The North Carolina Research Campus signed a deal this week with the University of North Carolina system outlining their innovative public-private partnership. The relationship will help make the campus one of the world’s most comprehensive biotech resources, combining the research power of leading universities with the know-how of business.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The North Carolina Research Campus signed a deal this week with the University of North Carolina system outlining their innovative public-private partnership. The relationship will help make the campus one of the world’s most comprehensive biotech resources, combining the research power of leading universities with the know-how of business.

Project backer David H. Murdock, billionaire owner of Dole Food Co. and Castle & Cooke, Inc., originally imagined the campus as home to cutting-edge researchers, advanced equipment and robust private enterprise. That vision is increasingly close to becoming a reality.

The just-signed memo describes, among other items, the roles of UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University at the campus. UNC-CH will focus on nutrition and wellness while NCSU studies fruits and vegetables. Both will have research buildings and use of the campus'state-of-the-art core laboratory.

The signing caps a remarkable year for the campus. Highlights include:

Core Lab Rises
Much of the campus’ advanced equipment will reside in the David H. Murdock Core Laboratory Building, which was the subject of a groundbreaking ceremony in February and a "topping off"celebration in August. Joining the celebrants were top federal and state officials, biotech advocates and leaders from the University of North Carolina system, the North Carolina Community College System and Duke University. At the groundbreaking, UNC President Erskine Bowles remarked, "(The campus) has to fill you with great excitement, and great hope for the future."

Cutting-Edge Equipment
In August, Mr. Murdock announced plans to purchase a 950 MHz actively-shielded NMR - the world’s most powerful superconducting magnet. The two-story, eight-ton machine will significantly enhance key areas of research such as drug development and nutrition. The purchase of this equipment on behalf of the campus' nonprofit institute underscores the project's commitment to world-leading science.

Business Development Around the World
Vice President of Business Development Clyde Higgs traveled the globe to bring bio leaders in on the campus' remarkable resources. Among Higgs’ talking points: the venture capital fund being set up by Mr. Murdock.

New Businesses Join Campus
Thanks in part to following leads near and far from home, Higgs signed two tenants – the Biomarker Group and Pelican Life Sciences.

Federal Officials Praise Progress
In September, David Sampson, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, visited the campus, assessed its progress and potential and said, "I don’t know of any other place in the country that has this kind of strategy this kind of commitment of resources." Earlier in the year, then U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow toured the campus, remarking, "We’ll continue to lead the global economy because of what you are doing here."

About the North Carolina Research Campus
The North Carolina Research Campus is a public-private partnership supported by David H. Murdock (owner and chairman of Dole Food Company and Castle & Cooke, Inc.) and involving Duke University, the University of North Carolina system and the North Carolina Community College System.

Plans for the campus include:

A 350-acre campus that will strengthen North Carolina's biotech corridor, including the Research Triangle Park, the Triad, Asheville and Charlotte.
An initial 311,000-square-foot building to house the core laboratory, a state-of-the-art contract manufacturing biogenic facility and tenants.
One million square feet of office and laboratory space, 350,000 square feet of new retail and commercial space and approximately 700 new residential units.

www.ncresearchcampus.net