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New Centers of Economic Excellence Approved
6/20/2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Clare Morris, 803.413.6808 or clare@claremorrisagency.com

Columbia, SC--The Review Board that oversees the state's endowed chairs research program voted Monday, June 18, to fund five new Centers of Economic Excellence (CoEE). The CoEE Program provides incentives for the state's three research universities to create Centers of Economic Excellence, along with associated endowed professorships, in high-technology areas likely to enhance the state's economy.

In 2002, the South Carolina General Assembly appropriated $200 million from the South Carolina Education Lottery Account to fund the program through 2010. Each CoEE is awarded between $2 million to $5 million in state funds, which must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with non-state funds.

To receive funding for a CoEE, the research universities submit proposals that undergo a three-tier review process. Each proposal is first subjected to a technical review by field experts. After studying the technical review scores, the CoEE Review Board decides which proposals qualify for evaluation by an onsite review panel. This external review panel is composed mainly of senior research officials from Association of American University institutions. The review panel visits each university, hears presentations on each proposal, and interviews investigators and other university personnel. The review panel submits a final report, with recommendations for funding, to the CoEE Review Board. The Review Board then votes on which new Centers of Economic Excellence to fund.

The five newly approved CoEEs are as follows:

CoEE in Rehabilitation and Reconstructive Sciences (USC)

State Award: $5 million

This CoEE will focus on research in tissue-engineered materials and implantable devices that will help the thousands of people who suffer from orthopedic maladies each year. Research and clinical activities will focus on new materials to optimize rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged joints and other injuries.

The CoEE will be led by an endowed professorship in reconstructive methodologies and materials at the University of South Carolina.

USC has partnered with Smith & Nephew, a medical devices company based in London, and Steadman-Hawkins, a provider of clinic-based orthopedic care headquartered in Colorado. Smith & Nephew has already pledged the full $5 million non-state match to the CoEE. Steadman-Hawkins has invested $300 million in South Carolina hospitals and clinics.

A CoEE focused on orthopedic research complements several of USC's existing strengths, including its nationally prominent exercise science and bioengineering programs.

Concerning the Rehabilitation and Reconstructive Science proposal, the panel reported: "The economic development potential looks excellent."

CoEE in Health Facilities Design and Testing (Clemson/MUSC)

State Award: $5 million

This CoEE, a collaboration between Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina, will focus on research that addresses how healthcare environments affect areas such as clinical outcomes, operational efficiencies, and patient and staff satisfaction.

The CoEE will feature two endowed chairs: a Clemson-based chair in healthcare architecture and an MUSC-based chair in human factors research in clinical practice. 

Health Sciences South Carolina will provide $5 million in matching funds to this CoEE. Berchtold Corporation, a global company based in South Carolina, has also pledged to support the initiative.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, healthcare construction in the United States was valued at $46 billion as of April 2007. This amount was 14.5% higher compared with 2006 healthcare construction costs.

The external review panel noted: "[T]his is an exceptional opportunity for South Carolina to become a national leader in the design of improved healthcare environments."

CoEE in Strategic Environmental Approaches to Electricity Production from Coal (USC)

State Award: $5 million

This CoEE will conduct research to reduce the harmful environmental effects of burning coal to produce electricity. The CoEE is another step toward making USC an international leader in future fuels/energy research.

USC's partners in this CoEE include Santee Cooper and the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, which have pledged the full $5 million non-state match.

Concerning this CoEE, one external reviewer indicated: "Success of the proposed research would have a huge impact on the well being of the State of South Carolina as well as the nation."

"Santee Cooper is committed to providing low-cost, reliable power to our customers," said Lonnie Carter, Santee Cooper president and chief executive officer. "Coal is the least expensive and most plentiful fuel today, and we are aggressively seeking ways to reduce the carbon emissions associated with it. As the largest electricity provider in a fast-growing state, we understand our role in spearheading initiatives to help balance the demand for increased electricity with our environmental responsibilities."

CoEE in Tobacco-Related Malignancy Research (MUSC)

State Award: $5 million

Research at this CoEE will identify biomarkers (such as lipids in the bloodstream) for tobacco-related malignancies. Researchers will use epidemiologic techniques to validate these biomarkers, and clinical trials will be performed to evaluate the medical applications of the biomarkers. 

The CoEE will support two MUSC endowed chairs: one with proven experience in biomarker discovery and a strong interest in using new technologies to find further markers, and another who will work to validate these markers and organize clinical trials with the state's physicians to test the utility of the markers.

The CoEE will build on the growing strength of the Hollings Cancer Center, which has set aside laboratory space for the CoEE and will provide funding for programmatic support.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 22.6% of South Carolina adults smoke. The national average is 20.9%.

According to the external panel, the CoEE in Tobacco Related Malignancy Research will focus on "an extremely important area which is likely to have significant impacts both clinically and economically."

CoEE in Stroke (MUSC/USC)

State Award: $5 million

The CoEE in Stroke will aim to strengthen clinical and basic stroke research in South Carolina. Several planned areas of research are novel for the field of stroke medicine, including post-stroke dementia and juvenile stroke.

The CoEE will support three endowed chairs in translational stroke research (MUSC appointment), translational neurology (USC appointment) and clinical neurology (MUSC appointment).

MUSC and USC's partners in the CoEE include Greenville Health System and the Greenwood Genetics Center. Greenville Health System has begun constructing the Research and Education Innovation Institute, a $20 million facility that will house academic programs in patient safety and clinical effectiveness, pharmacy, medicine and dental medicine. Greenwood Genetics Center will participate in research programs associated with the genetics of stroke.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, South Carolina has the second-highest stroke mortality rate in the nation.

The external review panel commented that the united strengths of the partners involved in the CoEE in Stroke will "make South Carolina more competitive for multi-million dollar federal grants and contracts."

Also at the June 18 meeting, the CoEE Review Board also welcomed four new members:

Gregg Morton was appointed by President Pro Tempore of the S.C. Senate Glenn McConnell.

J. Lyles Glenn and Keith Munson were appointed by Governor Mark Sanford.

Patricia Wilson was appointed by Speaker of the S.C. House of Representatives Bobby Harrell.

The S.C. Centers of Economic Excellence Program was established by the South Carolina General Assembly in 2002, with $200 million appropriated from the South Carolina Education Lottery Account to fund the program through 2010. The legislation authorizes the state's three public research institutions (Clemson, MUSC and USC) to use state funds to create Centers of Economic Excellence in research areas that will advance South Carolina's economy. Each Center of Economic Excellence is awarded between $2 million to $5 million in state funds, which must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with federal, private, or municipal funds. The program also supports CoEE endowed chairs, world-renowned scientists who lead the Centers of Economic Excellence. By investing in talent and technology, the CoEE Program is designed to help fuel the state's knowledge economy, resulting in higher paying jobs and an improved standard of living in South Carolina.