East Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - According to a new report, New York State is one of the leaders in critical medical research to cure diabetes, heart disease. And one of the leaders in bio-pharmaceuticals research is right here in Central New York at Bristol-Myers Squibb in East Syracuse.
Kathleen Arntsen suffers from seven auto-immune diseases, including Lupus. She takes 31 medicines a day to ease the pain. In the last five years, she has participated in clinical trials that have made her feel better. She says New York's progress is exciting. "For anyone struggling with their own health condition or that of a loved one, medical research provides much-needed optimism for better quality of life and a healthier future," she said.
The facility is improving the health of the Central New York community, as well as its economy. Right now, there are about 60 clinical trials going on in Central New York, fueling research spending, tax revenue and good paying jobs. The bio-pharmaceuticals industry directly employs 200,000 people in New York State.
"The health care benefits and economic impact of this research is extraordinary and growing. Nowhere is this more evident than in Central New York," said Nathan Tinker, Executive Director of the New York Biotechnology Association.
Companies like Bristol-Myers Squibb work to cure the nation’s most common – and chronic – diseases. Every day, new medicines are made, then tested in clinical trials with the goal of making it to your neighborhood drug stores.
“Research is what gives hope to patients around the globe that the diseases that they suffer will one day have a cure and better therapies,” said Dr. Steven Goodman, Vice President of Research. Many of the clinical trials are done locally at schools like Upstate Medical University and Cornell.
In the last 10 years, New York has hosted a third of all clinical trials, making the state a major player in medical breakthroughs. There have been more than 6,000 clinical trials performed in New York in the last decade. Right now, There are 1200 being conducted in the state.
