From Ivory Tower To Industrial Promotion. The Development Of The Biotechnology Cluster In The New Haven, Connecticut

This paper analyzes the development of the biotechnology industry in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1993 there were only five biotechnology companies in Connecticut. However, by 2004 the state was home to forty-nine biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. What led to this increase ? Through extensive field work, this research makes clear that the most important influence on the development of this cluster was that of Yale University. There is little doubt that the dominant influence was the change in attitude and policies of Yale towards biotechnology-based industrial growth, which took place after 1993. As such, the case confirms that universities can have an important impact on local industrial and economic development.