LIFE SCIENCES
The life sciences community of Northeast Florida is one of the fastest-growing and vibrant in the country. The region’s available, skilled workforce, state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure, low cost of doing business and excellent quality of life combine to create an environment in which medical products and services companies thrive.
- Northeast Florida has more than 10 major hospitals and medical care centers, including one of only three Mayo Clinic campuses in the United States, and more than 2,000 physicians. The large, diverse regional population base of more than 1.4 million attracts hundreds of clinical trials each year.
- The wide range of medical products businesses already located here includes companies that specialize in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical appliances and supplies, managed care, health care facilities, medical devices and health foods.
- Because of our well-established health care sector, we have direct access to a large base of educated, skilled workers. Of the 750,000 people in Northeast Florida’s workforce, more than 35,000 are employed in the life sciences industry.
Recent Expansions and Relocations for Life Sciences
| Company Name | Type of Business | Projected New Jobs | Date |
Science First
| Scientific classroom aid
| 20
| 05/13/2009
|
| Bodytel | Medical applications | 13 | 01/10/2008 |
| Specialty Disease Management Services | Disease management services | 40 | 10/04/2007 |
| PSS World Medical | Distributor of medical products | 50 | 03/23/2007 |
| Edgepark Medical Supplies | Medical Products distribution | 25 | 11/03/2006 |
| W. Lorenz Surgical | Manufacturer of surgical instruments | 20 | 05/23/2005 |
| Wellcare Health Incorporated | Well-care company | 25 | 02/28/2005 |
| Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals LLC | Pharmaceuticals distribution | 12 | 02/20/2005 |
| Gyrx | Medical device manufacturer | 100 | 08/05/2004 |
IBA Selects Jacksonville as site for U.S. Headquarters
Belgium-based Ion Beam Applications (IBA) selected Jacksonville as the home of its flagship U.S. headquarters in 2008. This move further strengthened Jacksonville’s presence in the ever-growing medical community. The IBA group is a highly recognized leader in particle therapy, a precise and effective clinical radiotherapy method in the selective destruction of cancer cells. Jacksonville is one of only five cities in the United States that is home to an operational proton beam center, the UF Proton Therapy Institute.
"Jacksonville was selected as a headquarters for our proton therapy operations in the U.S., based on the past two years’ experience we have had in the area. We have been charmed by the city and its business environment," said Vincent Collignon, project manager for IBA.
The success our region has seen, along with the city’s well-educated workforce and excellent quality of life, is why companies like VISTAKON, Medtronic, Biomet, Mayo Clinic, Baptist Health, NovaBone, Zassi Medical Evolutions and Physician Sales and Service call the area home. It’s the ideal location for businesses like yours that are looking for a competitive edge.