Representatives from Maryland biotechnology start-ups made like potential contestants for The Price is Right last Monday (June 30) and camped on a Baltimore sidewalk awaiting a chance at success. But these people weren't desperate to participate in the greatest game show on Earth, with a chance to win fabulous cash and prizes. They were lined up for a chance to suckle at the teat of the state's Department of Business and Economic Development, which was passing out state tax credits to biotechs on a first-come, first-served basis as part of a program designed to encourage Maryland's emerging biotech sector.

According to the Washington Post, which sent a reporter down to the queue outside the Department of Business and Economic Development on East Redwood Street in Baltimore, several executives and scientists waited in line - some for up to 17 hours - to submit their applications for Maryland's Biotechnology Investment Tax Credit program. The program awards investors in small biotech companies in the state up to 50 percent of their money back in tax credits.

This year's pool of money is $6 million, but Maryland's governor, Martin O'Malley, told the Post that next year's will be $12 million, and the program will offer $24 million in 2013. This year is the third that the state's biotech start-ups have had the opportunity to participate in the program, which is similar to programs in other states including Wisconsin, Washington, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and New York. According to the Post, last week was the first time that biotech representatives have camped out for a shot at the Maryland tax incentives.