New Ohio Bioscience Resource Directory Keeps Pace with Industry Sector`s Growth

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(Business Wire)--
BioOhio and the Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center (GCIC) have launched an
expanded and improved Ohio Bioscience Resource Directory, the most comprehensive
online collection of Ohio companies, organizations, and research centers
involved in the biosciences. The web-based directory
(http://directory.bioohio.com or accessible at www.gcic.org) now includes
profiles of more than 1,900 entities and 2,600 location listings, including
market-facing companies, value-chain suppliers, research organizations, and B2B
service providers.

A mutual desire to catalog and promote Ohio`s bioscience industry value chain
prompted BioOhio and GCIC to combine resources for a major expansion and
enhancement of the original directory, which was first introduced in 2003.

Bioscience is a broad and diverse field, but most definitions include
biotechnology firms, pharmaceuticals and therapeutics companies, medical device
and equipment manufacturers, research institutions, R&D facilities, medical
laboratories, diagnostic imaging centers, clinical trial and regulatory
consultants, and agricultural biotechnology interests.

The Ohio Bioscience Resource Directory is intended to help companies identify
and connect with suppliers and resources to meet their specialty needs, as well
as to demonstrate the extensiveness of these resources within the state.

Ohio has tremendous strength in materials, parts, test and measurement,
manufacturing companies, marketing resources and service organizations which
supply a rich and growing bioscience industry in the state. In concert with
world-class clinical and academic institutions, a very favorable business
economic climate, available venture capital, skilled workforce resources, and a
rapidly growing core of companies, Ohio has become a desirable location for
bioscience business and research.

A visitor to the directory is first presented with two options of discovery- a
word search engine operates similarly to popular web search tools, while
category index browsing offers nine bioscience industry sectors and dozens of
subsectors to get started. Organization profiles include address, web site,
phone and general email addresses, as well as in-depth descriptions. Members of
BioOhio will receive exclusive access to individual contact information
associated with company profiles.

BioOhio and GCIC expect the directory will be accessed by organizations and
individuals both inside and outside of Ohio seeking partners, suppliers,
consultants, and potential clients. Both organizations believe such a
comprehensive directory can make doing business easier for companies already in
Ohio and can become an effective introduction to Ohio`s bioscience
infrastructure for companies that might look to Ohio for expansion.

"We believe Ohio will become a magnet for bioscience companies as they discover
the breadth and depth of resources available here to serve them," commented
BioOhio Director of Business Development Scott Osborne.

"GCIC is pleased to sponsor the Ohio Bioscience Resource Directory," said Mark
Low, Managing Director of GCIC. "We have found that the extensive pool of
skilled and talented value chain providers in Ohio, all within very close
proximity and easy reach of companies located here, has been a tremendous
advantage to the companies that we are incubating in the state. The enhanced
resource directory will be a valuable tool to all in the growing bioscience
industry."

BioOhio will hold a webinar on September 16 at 10:00 am EDT to demonstrate a
series of different searches and queries possible through the directory and
answer questions. More information on the webinar can be found at
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/736442699.

Based on the original directory`s visitor traffic, Osborne expects the new Ohio
Bioscience Resource Directory to attract up to 1,500 users each month.

About BioOhio. BioOhio (formerly Omeris) is a non-profit organization supported
by the Thomas Edison Program of the Ohio Department of Development and by
BioOhio members. Its mission is to accelerate bioscience discovery, innovation
and commercialization of global value, driving economic growth, and improving
quality of life in Ohio. BioOhio is headquartered in Columbus, with regional
business development affiliates in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Athens.

The Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center (GCIC) is a multi-institutional
product development and commercialization consortium made possible through a $60
million grant from the State of Ohio`s Third Frontier Project. Founded in 2007,
the consortium is led by the Cleveland Clinic and is comprised of Case Western
Reserve University, The Ohio State University, The University of Cincinnati, The
University of Toledo and University Hospitals of Cleveland along with leading
industry and economic development partners. GCIC is focused on developing,
incubating, and commercializing innovative cardiovascular technology for the
benefit of patients worldwide and to facilitate economic development in the
State of Ohio. http://www.gcic.org

For BioOhio:
Matt Schutte, Director, Corporate Communications, 614-675-3686, x6
mschutte@bioohio.com
or
For GCIC:
Tom Sudow, Director of Business Development and Attraction, 216-445-0810
Sudowt@ccf.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009