Notable Quotes

This third round of awards is a clear sign that bipartisan support of the Minnesota Partnership is paying off not just for the state of Minnesota, but for the state of medical science. The fact that we are now building on the discoveries of first-round projects and advancing them toward the marketplace is proof that the Partnership is living up to its promise.

- Glenn Forbes, M.D., CEO, Mayo Clinic Rochester

These research projects reflect both innovative, new ideas, as well as Partnership advancements that bring us closer to real cures and treatments focused on major issues confronting Minnesotans – including Alzheimer’s and cancer.

- Frank Cerra, M.D., Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, University of Minnesota

I want to be perfectly clear on this point: I won't sign a bonding bill this year without this project [The Partnership] in it.

- Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's State-of-the-State Address, January 2005

The early success of our partnership with the University of Minnesota through the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics helped spark interest from and ultimately the generosity of the Samuel C. Johnson family in making this gift. Clearly, momentum is building toward accomplishing even greater things as we work with a variety of public and private partners to move genomic medicine forward.

- Hugh Smith, M.D., Past Chair, Board of Governors, Mayo Clinic Rochester, on the recent gift to Mayo Clinic from The Samuel C. Johnson family of Racine, Wisconsin and The SC Johnson Fund

Thanks to biotechnology, we may soon be able to grow life-saving therapies and useful chemicals in plants. Biotechnology might allow scientists to produce large amounts of monoclonal antibodies, which target specific, disease-causing molecules without attacking healthy cells. We're closing in on the ability to protect and fight against a range of illnesses, including cancer, and HIV and heart disease.

- George W. Bush, President at the Bio 2003 Convention Center and Exhibition

We need to leverage our strategic advantage in the emerging bioscience economy. I am asking you to fund, through the bonding bill, the historic new research partnership between the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota. I also ask your support to enhance the bioscience zones we created last year. This is a huge opportunity and we can compete and win in this area.

- Governor Pawlenty's State-of-the-State Address, February 6, 2004

Bringing these two research powerhouses [Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota] together should produce a powerful synergy that can attract sizable new federal and private research grants. A commitment of state money to that effort this year would say to the scientists...that Minnesota considers their work a state priority.

- Star Tribune editorial, May 8, 2003

In future years, the world will look back and realize that the research discoveries developed through biotechnology and medical genomics will rank among the most important scientific breakthroughs in history. This alliance will mean new discoveries, new patents, new businesses and new jobs for Minnesota.

- Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty

While the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic have a long history together, this Partnership will elevate our respective institutional strengths to a much higher level than would be possible on our own.

- University of Minnesota President, Robert Bruininks

This Partnership creates the opportunity for our state to emerge as a world leader - benefiting current and future Minnesotans through improved treatment of disease and valuable economic development.

- Mayo Clinic Board of Governors Past Chair, Hugh Smith, M.D.