WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 26, 2011) – Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed Senate Bill 7, the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act (MOSIRA) into law on Friday, October 21, 2011, following passage through a legislative special session.

Governor Nixon, who hailed the bill as a landmark economic development tool, said MOSIRA will provide a funding source for a wide range of programs designed to create jobs, nurture start-ups and attract technology companies to the state.

Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), issued the following statement in response to the signing of Senate Bill 7:

"BIO is very supportive of Missouri's continued commitment to expanding science and technology industries that create high-paying, high-skill jobs while advancing our nation’s global leadership in innovation. By providing emphasis on biotechnology and life science funding, this legislation benefits the local economy while nurturing companies that seek to develop cures and breakthrough medicines, improve crop yields, discover newer and cleaner forms of energy that will reduce our reliance on foreign sources of energy, and provide protection from pandemic and bio-terror threats.

"We applaud the super consensus of Missouri legislators whose ongoing dedication brought this important piece of special session legislation to Governor Nixon’s desk. The bill's journey through the Special Session was supported by widespread agreement that it reflected important and meaningful strategy for direct investment in innovation.

"BIO will continue to support our allies at the Missouri Biotechnology Association as we work together to build legislative support for implementation and funding. Missouri is in elite company by setting forth a twenty-five year public investment strategy to ramp up the infrastructure to allow biotechnology, science and innovation to flourish further in the Midwest."
