HudsonAlpha sponsors prize in life sciences

Award will honor innovation among public researchers

The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology announced Monday it will sponsor an annual cash prize for bioscience achievement in Alabama, open to Alabama's six public research universities.

The winner of the HudsonAlpha Prize for Outstanding Innovation in Life Sciences will receive $20,000.

The prize will be awarded to a faculty member or staff scientist from the eligible schools - Alabama A&M University, Auburn University, the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the University of South Alabama.

The HudsonAlpha Institute opened its commercial wing last month. The institute is located in Cummings Research Park and houses 12 commercial biotech companies and a nonprofit research facility seeking to improve human health.

"In addition to recognizing exceptional talent and research of superior merit, the prize is intended to raise awareness of biotechnology's burgeoning impact on the state's economic vitality," said Lonnie McMillian, chairman of the board for HudsonAlpha.

Dr. Sam McManus, chairman of the board's life sciences prize committee, said each university's president can nominate two candidates for the prize and that nominations must be submitted by Feb. 15.

"The board is particularly interested in life-science innovations that reflect great promise for further development and benefit to mankind," McManus said.

The prize money will be funded by a grant from the Madison-based Alpha Foundation.

Jim Hudson, president of the HudsonAlpha Institute, has stressed the need to work closely with Alabama's universities.

"Biotech innovations born on our university campuses are often a commercial product waiting to be developed," he said. "We want to facilitate the transformation of good ideas into products that enhance health and the quality of life, and we all are winners if these products (lead to) new Alabama biotech companies."

The prize winner is expected to be announced in spring 2008.