S.C. Department of Commerce partners with SCBIO
July 28, 2016
The South Carolina Department of Commerce has formed a partnership with the South Carolina Biotechnology Industry Organization (SCBIO) to design a strategic plan for creating future growth in the life science industry sector and target prime sectors to attract to the state. The partnership will identify obstacles for existing companies and opportunities to create more competitive advantages.
The partnership begins with a nine-month study of state assets and existing companies coupled with on-site visits to South Carolina pharmaceutical, medical device, medical equipment, research and diagnostic companies and their suppliers to catalogue capabilities as well as opportunities for growth.
“This forward-looking initiative is poised to position South Carolina as a major player in the life science industry. Team South Carolina contains countless moving parts and players, and partnerships such as this one are integral to our continued success,” said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce.
“This clearly moves South Carolina’s biotechnology economic development to a new level,” said G. Thomas Finnegan, Chairman of SCBIO. “The Commerce Department is relying upon our expertise in the industry, and we are using their research and economic analysis to get more jobs for our efforts, develop more positive public policies, as well as make our industries more competitive.”
The goal is more high-paying biomedical jobs that employ South Carolina graduates at companies that are connecting with research at the state’s universities. These jobs can range from developing advanced medicines or medical devices, to carrying out diagnostic tests and clinical trials.
“SCBIO now will be able to partner with the state’s regional alliances to reach out to innovative med tech and pharma companies in their regions, and build business relationships and supply chains,” said Craig Walker, CEO of VidiStar, and an SCBIO executive board member.
“Our relationship with Upstate SC Alliance has successfully created a seamless connection with biomed prospects from initial contact to location. And it has resulted in a Bio Task Force to build better client and customer connections,” Walker said. “We look forward to doing that statewide.”
SCBIO will continue to carry out its annual conference Nov. 10-11 in Greenville and host regular networking meetings as well as drive best practices discussions.
It also will continue its annual Startup University and QuickStart Accelerator for credible early stage companies to mentor them through the first early stages so they can get a solid start raising funds.
ABOUT SCBIO
SCBIO is a nonprofit 501(c)3 trade association representing the biotechnology innovators and manufacturers of modern medicines, medical devices, diagnostics, biomedical equipment, and health IT.
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