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Florida is a rapidly growing biotechnology center in the United States, and the state ranks 3rd in the nation for FDA-registered Medical Device Establishments. Florida draws upon extensive resources that give the Sunshine State great potential for the biotechnology and life science industries.
The Sunshine State benefits from numerous incubators and organizations to aid in its industry goals. The University of Florida’s Sid Martin Biotechnology Development Incubator provides 40,000 square feet of laboratory and office space, conference rooms, a pilot fermentation facility, a small animal facility, and a climate controlled greenhouse as part of its startup setting for new biotechnology companies. BioFlorida is an independent statewide bioscience organization providing members with a networking infrastructure among industry, academia and government for promoting a favorable business environment. The Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology aims for cooperation to develop new medicines, diagnostics, and technologies between Florida’s academic and industry resources such as marine biotechnology, proteomics, and bioinformatics.
Florida’s universities provide the state with tremendous resources for life sciences research. The University of Florida is a leader in research and technology transfer capabilities. In 2005 the university received $494 million in research awards, $250 million of which is dedicated to health-related research. The university is also home to the esteemed Evelyn F. & William L. McKnight Brain Institute, one the world’s largest brain and nervous system research centers, and the Genetics Institute. The University of Miami School of Medicine is ranked among the top third of medical schools in the United States for research awards funding, and boasts several research centers such as the Diabetes Research Institute, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Research Center, and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, ranked as the top eye hospital in the country. Florida State University is designated a "Doctoral/Research University-Extensive" by the Carnegie Foundation.
Other institutions aid in Florida’s burgeoning biotechnology and life sciences industry. The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution draws upon its staff of scientists, engineers, mariners, and support personnel for research and education in marine sciences, biological sciences, and marine biomedical sciences. The Florida Sea Grant program encourages research and education to provide a sustainable economy and environment to the state, and uses marine biotechnology towards this goal. Additional esteemed research institutes include the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, a Comprehensive Cancer Center in Tampa.
Additionally, the Sunshine State has lured satellite operations of three San Diego institutions, with the arrival of Scripps Florida, satellite of the Scripps Research Institute, currently operating out of Jupiter and eventually to be housed in a 364,000 square foot facility at the Palm Beach County Biotechnology Research Park. Negotiations for the proposed Florida satellites of Burnham Institute for Biomedical Research and Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies are underway.
Florida’s several biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies include Nabi Biopharmaceuticals in Boca Raton, Viragen, Inc. in Plantation, Florida Biologix in Alachua, Regeneration Technologies, Inc. in Alachua, and Tutogen Medical, Inc., also in Alachua, among several others.
With so many institutions and programs dedicated to research and development, Florida seems assured in its continued growth in the biotechnology and life science sectors.
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