Calling it “a milestone in the future of the investment in Texas,” Gov. Rick Perry and other officials broke ground on the $47.8 million Texas A&M Institute for Preclinical Studies (TIPS) facility Friday on campus.

Located near the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and the headquarters for the Texas A&M System Health Science Center, the facility will focus on research and education and will feature a vast array of multi-disciplinary programs that will play a key role in training veterinarians, physicians, scientists, engineers and technicians in a variety of medical and research-based initiatives.

“The knowledge and technology that is produced here will change our state and nation,” Perry added.

“This will make Texas even more competitive in the global marketplace. This facility is an example of our intent to always look forward and deciding what is best for Texas.  It shows that Texas means business when it comes to biotechnology.”

In July of 2007, Perry announced the state would invest $6 million in the institute through the Texas Emerging Technology Fund to help recruit world-class researchers to the institute.

Officials noted that the TIPS facility would enable breakthroughs in new discoveries, especially medical devices and therapies, so that they can move more quickly from concept to the marketplace.

Texas A&M President Elsa Murano compared the new facility to the school’s historic mission of service, noting, “Texas A&M will be in a position to compete for major funding from the federal government and corporations, funding that we were not in a position to pursue before now. 

“Through these collaborations, Texas A&M will help bolster our state’s high-tech sector.  Through this facility, we can work to find cures for diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and even AIDS.”

Murano added that TIPS programs and research “will have an impact on the lives of people of Texas and beyond. This institute will create techniques for treating and possibly even curing diseases that today cut short far too many lives.”

Texas A&M Chancellor Michael D. McKinney lauded the institute. “The innovations and treatments discovered in these labs will one day improve the quality of life for millions of our fellow citizens,” he said.

“With the work being done next door on the mouse genome, and the expertise of one of the nation’s best schools of veterinary medicine, Texas A&M is now uniquely positioned to develop the kind of research and technology commercialization that will one day be the envy of the world.”

The TIPS facility will total about 104,000 square feet and should be completed by June of 2009.  Theresa Fossum, professor of veterinary medicine, will serve as TIPS director.

“Our goal with this facility is not only to discover knowledge, but to apply it,” Regents Chairman Bill Jones noted.

“This shows that we are making our mark in the field of biomedical research and science and that we want the business side to be commercialized here.  This is all about what research can do for you and me and the people of Texas.”

Writer: Keith Randall at (979) 845-4644 or keith-randall@tamu.edu.