Hawaii Island is rich in biotech successes.
In 2007, the University of Hawaii Hilo opened its College of Pharmacy, the only school of pharmacy in the Pacific, with its inaugural class of 90 students. Since then, the student body has grown to approximately 350.
The founding Dean of the College of Pharmacy John M. Pezzuto, Ph.D. is an accomplished expert authoring over 400 publications, co-inventor of several patents, the editor of three books, member of eleven editorial boards of international journals and is the current editor-in-chief of the academic journal Pharmaceutical Biology. He has successfully guided the new UH Hilo College of Pharmacy to several patent awards.
Research is a vital part of the mission of the College of Pharmacy with all faculty members leading active research programs in various aspects of drug discovery and development.
Elsewhere on Hawaii Island, agricultural biotechnology is also firmly established and includes:
• Cyanotech Corporation – microalgae technology
• Hawaii Papaya Industry Association – research and development
• High Health Aquaculture, Inc – world’s leading breeder/supplier of certified pathogen free shrimp broodstock
• Mera Pharmaceuticals – nutraceuticals
Photo courtesy of Cyanotech
