Charleston cited as a top 10 U.S. region for the medtech executive’s expansion itinerary in 2003

For medtech executives with expansion on their minds, the search for suitable sites often begins where others have already gone. Tried-and-true regions in New England, California, Florida, and Minnesota still make for a compelling draw—but they aren’t the only areas that should be of interest to medtech companies.

The profiles on these pages offer a glimpse at 10 U.S. regions that manufacturers shouldn’t pass over when looking for new development sites. Whether they are relative newcomers to medical technology or unsung areas that already have a strong industry presence, all of these regions share an interest in attracting more medtech companies.

Fortunately, city and regional development agencies throughout the United States are eager to provide more information about what their regions have to offer. With the potential for incentives and government assistance thrown into the mix, the regions discussed here are deserving of a second look.

1. Seattle: There are nearly 200 biotech and medtech companies in the Seattle metropolitan area and Washington state. The technology foundation of Washington’s industry is supplied by institutions such as the University of Washington, Washington State University, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The State of Washington offers several types of tax exemptions, deferrals, and credits for high- technology businesses. Contact the Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County via http://www.edc-sea.org.

2. Utah: The State of Utah has about 290 biomedical companies. Together, they contribute an estimated $1.8 billion in annual revenues and $1.4 billion (estimated) to Utah’s economy. To help support both existing and expanding biomedical companies, the State of Utah recently passed R&D income tax credit incentives. Contact the Economic Development Corp. of Utah via http://www.edcutah.org.

3. Kansas City, MO: The Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute (KCALSI) is a nonprofit entity that serves as the coordinating body for the region’s life sciences research initiatives, specifically as broker, facilitator, matchmaker and potential funding organization. KCALSI is focusing on research in five areas: cancer, human development and aging, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and neurological diseases. Contact KCALSI via http://www.kclifesciences.org.

4. Michigan: Michigan boasts more than 300 life sciences firms—including Pfizer, Lumigen, Osmic, Apolife, Esperion Therapeutics, Statprobe, and Pharmacia—and the nation’s tenth-largest life sciences workforce. In 2001 alone, 22 new life sciences companies were formed in Michigan. Pfizer and Pharmacia invest over $1.2 billion annually in research and development, while Michigan’s major research institutions add more than $400 million. Contact the Michigan Economic Development Corp. at http://medc.michigan.org.

5. Central Indiana: The state of Indiana offers a substantial foundation for the growth of experienced researchers. Earlier this year, the Central Indiana Life Sciences Initiative was launched to increase the number of life sciences jobs, businesses, and research opportunities. The initiative is led by the City of Indianapolis, Eli Lilly, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Purdue University, Indiana University, and the Indiana Health Industry Forum, which is a public-private partnership of leaders from Indiana’s health industry, government, and academia. Contact the Indiana Department of Commerce via http://www.indianacommerce.com.

6. Pittsburgh: A revitalized Pittsburgh and its surrounding counties offer medtech manufacturers access to strong academic and clinical research facilities, such as Pittsburgh’s Carnegie-Mellon University. Research initiatives are led by the University of Pittsburgh, the UPMC Health System, and Magee-Women’s Research Institute. More than 108,000 people work in the region’s life sciences industry. Contact the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance at http://www.pittsburgh-region.org.

7. CHARLESTON, SC: Long a hub of medical device manufacturers such as Berchtold, Hill-Rom, C. R. Bard, Varian Medical Systems, and Getinge, the Charleston region is also catching on with biomedical firms. One reason is AAI International’s pharmaceutical development center, one of a handful of facilities that provide contract formulation, development, and testing services. Charleston is also home to the Medical University of South Carolina, which conducts basic, clinical, and outcomes research on behalf of industry, and annually attracts more than $124 million in research funding and grants. Contact the Charleston Regional Development Alliance via http://www.charleston-for-business.com.

8. Tennessee: In a recent report, a task force appointed by Tennessee governor Don Sundquist laid out a strategic plan to promote development of the state’s biotechnology industry. With the presence of Smith & Nephew, Medtronic, and Wright Medical, Memphis ranks second in the country in medical device and instrument manufacturing. Nashville is widely recognized as a healthcare industry capital, and has nurtured more than 220 entrepreneurial healthcare companies. Contact the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development via http://www.state.tn.us/ecd.

9. Austin, TX: Austin is home to approximately 85 bioscience companies that produce products and services such as pharmaceuticals, preventive medicines, medical devices, laboratory tools and analysis, and gene-based cancer therapies. Resources supporting this burgeoning industry include the University of Texas (UT). The city’s agenda includes formation of a bioprocessing consortium, increasing local support for the industry, recruiting and retaining bioscience businesses in the region, and commercializing innovations created at UT. Contact the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce via http://www.austinchamber.org.

10. Tucson, AZ: Southern Arizona’s dynamic bioindustry includes more than 60 firms engaged in various life science­associated technology applications. Primary areas of biorelated enterprises are medical devices, pharmaceuticals, medical imaging, industrial products, environmental products and services, and biomaterials. The University of Arizona is establishing an Institute for Biomedical Science and Biotechnology, a $60 million project that will create an environment in which researchers from many scientific disciplines can work together. Contact the Greater Tucson Economic Council via http://www.futurewest.com.