SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR INNOVATION

Charleston is a globally competitive and highly attractive city for life science talent. We have more than 300+ medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers, research laboratories, and service companies. With a growing IT community, Class A office space with research and lab capabilities, acres of real estate suitable for advanced manufacturing, and over $284M in yearly research funding at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston provides the ingredients for success at all phases of a company’s growth.

MEET OUR WORKFORCE

#2
Mid-sized metro for workforce aged 25-34
(As a % of total population)
#3
mid-sized metro for pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing job growth
45K
UNIVERSITY AND TECH STUDENTS IN TALENT PIPELINE

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Life Science Companies

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GROWING HIGH TECH WORKFORCE

The Charleston region's labor force is growing 3X faster than the U.S. average. Home to numerous advanced industries and companies employing 36,000+ workers, our growing talent pool has expertise in bioengineering, clinical trials & drug research, health IT & telemedicine, medical devices & diagnostics, and medical equipment.

WORKFORCE

COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY

“We are pleased and proud to call the Charleston region our new home. After nearly three years of evaluating numerous opportunities across the country, South Carolina and Berkeley County were by far the best option for our company and our employees. Since making our decision, the state, county, and local governments, and especially the regional business community, have welcomed us with open arms and have been incredibly supportive. We clearly made the right choice.”
— Paul F. Jacobson, Former Chief Executive Officer, Thorne

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Why Charleston for Life Sciences?

GROWTH INCENTIVES

South Carolina offers competitive incentive programs to assist companies locating or expanding within the state. Perks include an eligibility category for facilities engaged in manufacturing, processing and R&D, a Jobs Development Credit for large bioscience facilities, a single factor apportionment formula, and accelerated equipment depreciations.

INCENTIVES

Resources & Support

The Charleston region provides significant commercialization support for both startups and established companies. Our biotech leaders are always willing to collaborate and are committed to pushing the industry forward.

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Zucker Institute for Innovation Commercialization (ZI)

Applies scientific and clinical discovery to neuroscience problems and develops technological advancements

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Health Sciences South Carolina

A collaborative network joining medical organizations and colleges/universities to provide a structure for medical research and clinical trials

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SCRA MUSC Innovation Center

A research facility and business incubator with 11 wet labs to support medical and bioscience research

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SC Launch

A venture of the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), it helps develop and fund tech-based industries in the state—investing $200,000+ into selected local startups

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SCBIO

Supports and advances South Carolina’s life science industry through collaboration, advocacy, workforce development, and support

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