Life sciences group seeks cash infusion

Steering stimulus funds to NIH would add research jobs

Massachusetts General Hospital is among the Bay State organizations that receive NIH funding. (Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff/File 2004)

A group of Massachusetts executives is lobbying Congress to pump billions of dollars more into medical research grants as part of the economic stimulus package now being assembled on Capitol Hill.

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Collaborative, which includes 45 chief executives and presidents from local research universities, hospitals, life sciences companies, and venture funds, hand-delivered letters to the state's congressional delegation this week asking for an increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health as part of the stimulus package, which is expected to total up to $1 trillion.

"For a relatively modest part of the stimulus package, you could have an enormous impact," said Genzyme Corp. chief executive Henri Termeer, who cochairs the collaborative.

Some national trade groups, including the Association of American Universities, which represents research universities, are also lobbying for a funding increase. But the issue is particularly crucial for Massachusetts because of its large network of research hospitals and medical schools, which rely heavily on outside funding. Massachusetts received $2.2 billion in NIH funding in 2007 - the latest figure available - second only to California, and more money per resident than any other state. Major local recipients of NIH grants included Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In its letter, the Life Sciences Collaborative didn't request a specific amount of money for NIH. But Termeer said he supports a proposal President-elect Barack Obama made during his campaign to double NIH funding over the next decade, which would amount to a boost of 7 percent annually - or $2 billion in the first year. NIH funding has been flat at roughly $28 billion for the past five years, and declined by 13 percent after adjusting for inflation.

Some congressional leaders also support an increase. One early draft of the economic stimulus legislation in the Senate earmarked $1.2 billion for NIH funding, an increase of 4 percent. But a final dollar figure has not been set, and many other industries and advocacy groups are competing for a piece of the stimulus money. It's also possible that additional NIH money could come through the traditional appropriations process later.

Aides to Senator Edward M. Kennedy, a leading voice on healthcare in the Senate, said he is already pushing for a major investment in NIH in the stimulus bill.

"America's spirit of innovation can help lead the nation out of the current economic crisis," said Kennedy, chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, in a statement. "It's essential to invest in life science research to find the new medical breakthroughs that will keep Americans healthy and strengthen our dynamic biotechnology industry here in Massachusetts and across the nation."

US Representative Michael E. Capuano, Democrat of Somerville and a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he initially viewed the stimulus package as a chance to invest in roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure.

But Capuano, whose district includes many universities and life sciences companies that stand to benefit from increased funding, said he has come to realize that spending on things like schools and medical research could also create jobs - the primary purpose of the stimulus bill - "similar to building a bridge." NIH estimated its grants support 300,000 jobs in the United States.

"We're never going to be able to manufacture shoes cheaper than China," Capuano said. "I believe America's future is in intellectual capital."

Todd Wallack can be reached at twallack@globe.com; Lisa Wangsness at lwangsness@globe.com.