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Global biotech companies converge on St. Louis

By Adam Allington, St. Louis Public Radio

St. Louis – Agriculture and biotech companies from around the world are in St. Louis for a venture-capital showcase. It's part of a larger effort to develop St. Louis as a hot spot for biotech.

Sam Fiorello is the Director of Bridge Park, a biotech research campus associated with the Danforth Plant Science Center. He says the two big trump cards St. Louis has in plant science are industry giant Monsanto and the Danforth Center, one of the top plant research institutions in the world.

Fiorello says the St. Louis Agriculture Innovation Showcase is a big step in helping distinguish St. Louis from other biotech research hubs.

"I think it's very difficult to out San Diego San Diego and out Boston Boston. But, I think if you take the slice of ag-tech/plant tech, this is the preeminent place."

Fiorello says the event will put researchers together with venture capitalists and help promote St. Louis as a place to transfer biotech research to the private sector.

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