Upstate SC Alliance Plays International Matchmaker Role in Local Biotech Partnership
January 28, 2014
UPSTATE, SC – January 30, 2014 – An international partnership between Greenville County’s Selah Genomics and Barelona-based Ferrer inCode is an example of how the Upstate SC Alliance is working to bring more biotechnology connections to the Upstate.
Ferrer inCode is the diagnostics division of Ferrer, a Barcelona-based, privately-held pharmaceutical company with a presence in more than 90 countries that is active in the pharmaceutical, health, fine chemicals and food sectors. Selah Genomics is a clinical diagnostic specialist supporting healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical industry with advanced molecular and genomic diagnostic services.
The agreement makes Selah Genomics and Ferrer inCode exclusive partners in the commercialization of the currently available inCode products (Cardio inCode, Thrombo inCode, SudD inCode and Nutri inCode) in the United States under the Selah Genomics brand.
Ferrer inCode learned about the region’s business climate from a delegation visiting Spain in 2013 led by the Upstate SC Alliance’s Erin Ford, a business recruitment officer specializing in recruiting life science businesses. CataloniaBio, a biotechnology industry association, hosted the delegation in Barcelona. Representatives from the SC Department of Commerce European office, Greenwood County and Clemson University’s bioengineering department were also part of the delegation.
The Upstate SC Alliance played a key role in bringing Selah Genomics and Ferrer inCode together, said Jordi Puig, CEO Ferrer inCode.
Through their proactive approach, knowledge and contacts they were able to understand our needs and help us find the ideal partner. We have great expectations for the collaboration.
W. Ford Graham, Director of International Investment & Managing Director, Europe Office added,
“The strategic alliance between Ferrer inCode and Selah Genomics is just one of many examples of how companies are converging on South Carolina to leverage its R&D infrastructure and benefit from its first-class business environment.”
Selah Genomics CEO, Michael Bolick, a member of the Upstate SC Alliance BIO task force, said,
“Our new partnership with Ferrer is a direct result of the Upstate SC Alliance’s efforts to help recruit and grow life science business opportunity in our region. The focused intent of these efforts, coupled with those of the South Carolina Department of Commerce and SCBIO, our state’s life science industry affiliate, is helping to accelerate exciting momentum in our business sector.”
According to a 2010 study by the Battelle Institute more than 572 life science companies and institutions employ 13,520 people with an average annual wage of $53, 275 in South Carolina.
Additional information about the Upstate SC Alliance is available through the Alliance’s web site, www.upstateSCalliance.com.
