SCBIO Issues Life Sciences Strategic Plan to Drive Industry Growth

GREENVILLE, S.C. - May 18, 2021 - PRLog -- SCBIO CEO Erin Ford only has to look at recent history to understand the opportunity in front of South Carolina life sciences.

Life sciences has a $12+ billion economic impact in the Palmetto State, with more than 700 firms involved and over 43,000 professionals employed in the research, development and commercialization of innovative healthcare, medical device, industrial, environmental, and agricultural biotechnology products.

It represents a significant economic development focus for the state, with strong life science recruiting initiatives led by the South Carolina Department of Commerce and regional economic development teams –so much so that  Governor McMaster recently issued an Executive Order to emphasize the industry in domestic and international recruiting efforts.

Now armed with the industry's third multi-year Strategic Plan to build, advance, innovate and grow the industry, Ms. Ford sees an opportunity to "take South Carolina life sciences to an entirely new level" over the next handful of years, she said as SCBIO published the 2021-2022 Life Sciences Strategic Plan recently.

Ms. Ford is no stranger to leading the industry.  Since taking over as Interim CEO for the departed Sam Konduros just weeks ago, she has expanded emphasis on investor relations and existing industry support strategies, the spearheading of integrated marketing initiatives, implementation of the new SCBIO innovation platform, and a strong emphasis on economic development initiatives.

Guided by the new Strategic Plan, SCBIO and SC life sciences are clearly focused on doing "the right things to continue to build, advance, innovate and grow" the multifaceted industry.

SC Life Sciences 2021-2022 Strategic Plan is shaped by input from SCBIO's Board of Directors and dozens of contributors from industry, higher education, economic development, government and supporting organizations and authored by the SCBIO team.  The 70-page document includes detailed sections on the COVID Effect on the industry, 2020 Highlights, documentation of the breadth and depth of the Industry Segments in the state, Priority Initiatives, and specific Objectives, Plans and Budgets to advance life sciences.

A shorter summarized version is available to media and business leaders by emailing info@scbio.org.

South Carolina life sciences has seen a near-doubling of firms and 40% increase in life sciences' direct employment since 2017 alone, which combine to make it the fastest growing industry sector in the state.