Metro Orlando

Metro Orlando Mixes the Right Formula
for the Biotech Industry

From groundbreaking research to clinical trials to advanced agrotechnology development and innovative medical applications, Metro Orlando’s biotechnology and life sciences industry continues to grow, gaining ground throughout the U.S. as a ‘place to be’ for the industry. 

In 2006, the region's life sciences sector has gained even more ground with a ‘medical city' that has emerged and will be anchored by the recently announced expansion of the Burnham Institute for Medical Research -- a premier nonprofit medical research facility focused on therapies for cancer, Alzheimer's and other diseases.  Burnham's facility in Orlando will reside in a new high tech corridor dubbed Innovation Way .  It will be co-located with the recently announced $200 million University of Central Florida million medical school, a just-announced University of Florida medical research lab and a proposed VA hospital.  Combined, these developments will bolster Orlando 's position as an emerging medical and biotech hub, giving it the opportunity to become a birthplace for groundbreaking medical research and serving to attract like-organizations to the region.

More than 150 biotech and life sciences companies operating in Metro Orlando employ 9,200 people and report annual earnings of $2.6 billion. The industry springs from several strong economic forces, including a renowned regional healthcare system made up of some of the top hospitals in the country; a prominent agricultural base; prestigious educational and research facilities; and the collaborative efforts of the region’s established photonics and modeling, simulation and training sectors. 

In fact, the region’s strength in agriculture, combined with an established high tech base, has spurred an agrotechnology boom that is integrating advanced processes for use in everything from industrial food ingredients to cosmetics to plant reproduction.  Other market-leading initiatives being performed by companies throughout the region include: 

• Increasing disease resistance in humans and plants through nutraceuticals;
• Cloning soil-less plants in a clean room environment;
• Developing computer modeling systems for laser surgery training;
• Conducting medical training with advanced human patient simulators; and
• Developing defenses against bioterrorism.

Academic research is key to this high tech industry sector.  The biotech and life sciences sector here is augmented by several prestigious educational and research centers located in the region, including:  the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Biomolecular Science Center, Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, State of Florida’s Fisheries Research Laboratory and the Central Florida Research Park -- one of the country’s top 10 research facilities.  In addition, Orlando is home to UCF’s Technology Incubator, which has been ranked best of its kind in the nation.  This renowned facility provides early stage tech companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to create financially stable, high-growth companies.

”Metro Orlando provides a strong center of support for research and advances in the fields of biotechnology and life sciences at all levels, from academic to corporate, says Dr. Pappachan E. Kolattukudy, professor and director at the University of Central Florida Biomolecular Science Center.  “Some of the world’s most leading-edge work is being conducted here in our research centers by an interdisciplinary community of academics, post-graduates and undergraduates to revolutionize medicine and greatly improve the human condition.”

A highly skilled workforce is another asset for the region’s biotech and life sciences industry.  Metro Orlando’s central location in the state – which has been recognized among the three best locations for biomedical technology businesses in the nation -- provides easy access to the state’s six leading universities, each of which provides superior academic programs that support the biotechnology and life sciences industry.

The region’s strong educational, healthcare and research facilities; skilled workforce; renowned high tech industry; sound infrastructure and industry support, and  superior quality of life have made Metro Orlando a ‘place to be’ for the biotech and life sciences industry.