Doyle wants Wis. to capture 10 percent of stem-cell market

Governor Jim Doyle called out Wisconsin's potential in the growing stem-cell industry in his State of the State address Tuesday night.

"I’m directing the Department of Commerce to dedicate at least $5 million to find, fund, and recruit companies turning stem cell technology into high paying jobs," he said in the speech. The goal: have Wisconsin capture 10 percent of the stem-cell market by 2015, which he estimated could reach $10 billion.

The work of continuing to carve out Wisconsin's place in the stem-cell field will of course fall to the scientists and entrepreneurs in the state. The scientists are coming out with new discoveries regularly. But so far, few companies have formed here to attempt to commercialize stem cells. Cellular Dynamics, the Madison-based company formed last year by UW-Madison stem-cell pioneer James Thomson, received $2 million in state funding, but more firms have not exactly been lining up yet.

• Tom Still: Wisconsin leads in stem-cell science, but trails in producing companies

• WTN: Cellular Dynamics getting $2 million in Wisconsin financing • WTN: Cellular Dynamics hits market with UW research heavyweights

• The Capital Times: Doyle pushes on stem cells