LANSING – Two bills that supporters hope will spur biotechnology testing and development in the state were passed unanimously by the Senate on Thursday.

SB 358 and SB 359 will create a system where the state’s life sciences and biotechnology institutions can help promote testing of new products in the state by offering discounted costs in exchange for stock in a biotechnology company.

The state is a leader in developing new patents, but lags in getting those proposed products through the federal Food and Drug Administration testing system and to market. Critics say that is due to higher costs required here.

Under the bills, the companies developing the products could pay lower costs for the testing process if they make arrangements with state institutions in the life sciences corridor for ownership options in the firms.

Companies that would not qualify under the bills are those that conduct embryonic stem cell research and human cloning.

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