Biotechnology

Southeastern North Carolina contains excellent opportunities for emerging and established biotechnology companies. North Carolina has tremendous resources and assets within this industry sector. Wilmington has one of the largest clusters of research contract organizations (CRO) in the state and nation. Additionally, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington is developing a $30 Million marine biotechnology research center to take advantage of the region’s proximity to the coast. Agricultural biotech research is growing due to the region’s strong agricultural base and network of universities and community colleges engaged in biotech research and business assistance through Bio-accelerators. The North Carolina Biotechnology Center has a regional office to lead development in this sector.

Biotechnology Assets

North Carolina and NC’s Southeast Region have enjoyed significant growth in the biotechnology and CRO fields over the last two decades.     NC has 350 bioscience and related companies in the state, employing about 45,000 people.  North Carolina ranks:

#1 in most Contract Research Organizations in the US

#2 in agricultural biotechnology research in the US

#3 in biomanufacturing in the US

#4 in pharmaceutical manufacturing in the US

(NC BioNetwork)

Regional Highlights

• The Region has a growing biotechnology cluster focused on marine and agricultural biotechnology, bioenergy, neutraceuticals, and clinical / contract research

• Over 2,500 Life Science professionals in the region.  (NC ESC)

• Over 75 biotech-related companies located in the Region, representing all aspects of the biotechnology community.   (Harris Selectory, NC, 2009)

• 2,500+ employees in Scientific Research and Development Services occupations.
•  Several  smaller pharmaceutical / medicine manufacturers.
• Over 20 Testing Laboratories with 200+ employees.

• Noteworthy companies include:

• PPD – global contract research organization providing discovery, development and post-approval services as well as compound partnering programs.
• AAI Pharma Corporation – pharmaceutical product testing.
• Archer Daniels Midland – citric acid.

• NC Biotechnology Center  Regional Office –  (www.ncbiotech.org) supports biotechnology research, business and education within the Region.  The Center offers grant and loan programs designed to promote education and innovative research in biotechnology and to expand and grow biotechnology ventures across the State. 

• NOAA Underwater Research Center – housed in UNCW’s Center of Innovation, the NURC promotes basic and applied research in the fields of oceanography, coastal and wetland studies, marine biomedical and environmental physiology, and marine biotechnology and aquaculture.  Resources include: 

• Dock facility on the Intracoastal Waterway across from the Masonboro Island National Estuarine Research Reserve to support research vessels. 

        

• Fleet of research vessels from small outboards to the 70 foot R/V Cape Fear , which is equipped with an on-board mixed gas diving system, A-frame, DGPS and other capabilities that serve NURC projects well.

 

• Over two dozen fully equipped wet and dry labs with running seawater, fume hoods, gas/distilled water, and T3 Internet connections.

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