Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Rhode Island has been searching for new engines of economic growth ever since the flight of manufacturing jobs many decades ago. In 2022, state lawmakers launched a big bet to respond: build a biotech and life sciences sector from the ground up.
That effort led to the creation of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub. In 2024, Dr. Mark Turco was hired as its president and CEO.
Turco spoke with Ocean State Media political reporter Ian Donnis to discuss how far the life sciences industry can go and whether Rhode Island got into the game too late.
Rhode Island has been searching for new engines of economic growth ever since the flight of manufacturing jobs many decades ago. In 2022, state lawmakers launched a big bet to respond: build a biotech and life sciences sector from the ground up.
That effort led to the creation of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub. In 2024, Dr. Mark Turco was hired as its president and CEO.
Turco spoke with Ocean State Media political reporter Ian Donnis to discuss how far the life sciences industry can go and whether Rhode Island got into the game too late.
