California is building on one of the biggest life sciences bases in the world. Amgen and Genentech are just two of the biotech stars based in the state, and Stanford recently announced plans to develop a new biotech center of its own.

Biotech firms benefit from from Maryland's world-class medical research institutions. University of Maryland Baltimore's new $200 million BioPark has already inked its first big tenant. That I-270 tech corridor has become a hot property in the biotech world, drawing in a big vaccine plants from BioPort and Nabi Biopharmaceuticals as well.

It's added $50,000 bridge grants to help a biotech company move from Phase I to Phase II. Also, the Biotechnology Council of New Jersey has helped establish an umbrella group--The New Jersey Biotechnology Life Sciences Coalition--to help market the state to the industry.

Bio*One Capital operates four life sciences funds with a $1.2 billion portfolio. Bio*One also operates a separate group that offers seed funding and early-stage development funds that will dispatch scientists and entrepreneurs to help new managers grow their businesses.

The State of Wisconsin Investment Board, armed with billions in pension cash, has also committed to investing another $50 million with venture funds on top of the $135 million it's already channeled in that direction.