The biotech industry is on the wave of the new economy and is steadily becoming an important part of the Massachusetts economy. Biotech in the Greater Worcester area is a small but significant and growing part of the regional economy. While Worcester boasts a presence in biotech manufacturing, most of the industry's presence in the region and the state is in research and development. As the biotech industry in central Massachusetts matures, it's possible that more firms will arrive at the same conclusions about the benefits of keeping research and manufacturing near each other.