A US$825-million influx of venture capital early this year is likely to create research positions at US biotechnology companies in the next three to six months, says a partner at a firm that co-authored a new investment report. Professional-services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the National Venture Capital Association found the amount invested was 33% higher than in the first quarter of 2009 and more than was invested in any of 16 other sectors analysed in the document. Biotechnology has been the industry leader for such investment in the past year, says Tracy Lefteroff, global managing partner at PwC, based in London. Biotechs have improved their technologies, he says, enabling more effective development of drugs and creating opportunities for researchers.