The North Carolina biotechnol. initiative was established to provide long-term statewide economic benefit through support of biotechnol. research, development and commercialization Programs have evolved as the industry matures to meet emerging business development requirements Program sequence, timing and resource input have closely followed events described in the S-shaped technol. development curve concept in Richard Foster′s book, , Summit Books, N.Y., 1986 This presentation will discuss program activities that help resolve major issues facing the development of new technologies: capital sources, research/development and technol. transfer, public/private partnerships, biopharmaceutical/bioprocess manufacturing, tech. work force training, and societal issues requiring education for the general public.