Southeastern North Carolina

North Carolina’s Southeastern region is poised to expand bioscience development across the state by developing assets in marine science, plant and animal agriculture, natural products, biodefense and biofuels.

The North Carolina's Southeastern region is poised to realize significant, beneficial impacts from developing our biotechnology assets in:

  • Marine Science
  • Plant and Animal Agriculture
  • Biofuels and Biodefense

Business Opportunities

A growing number of marine science researchers from UNC-Wilmington and other state universities are exploring ways to detect and cure diseases. The scientists are also working with technology transfer offices and entrepreneurs to move their discoveries from the lab to the marketplace.

For instance, Dr. Daniel Baden, director of the UNC-Wilmington Center for Marine Science, and his colleagues have found ways to turn more than 25 marine toxins into tests and treatments for human health.

This work has resulted in establishment of Ocean Solutions Inc., a fledgling startup company, resulting from the technology transfer of the university scientists' work.

Baden and colleagues, in collaboration with Wilmington-based AAIPharma Inc., are preparing to seek a development partner to take their discovery through clinical trials and into the marketplace.

Educational and Community Partners

The region is home to the North Carolina Community College’s BioAg Center in Robeson County, UNC-Pembroke’s Biotechnology Business and Training Center and its Bachelor of Science degree in Biotechnology, UNC-Wilmington's "Business of Biotechnology" degree program and Fayetteville State University proposed Bachelor of Biotechnology program.

Also, the Council for Entrepreneurial Development recently opened an office in Wilmington to serve the needs of entrepreneurs and investors in the region.

"The Southeastern Region of North Carolina, is fortunate to have the combination of both a wealth of natural assets well-suited to biotechnology development, and visionary leaders who have committed their organizational resources to building a vibrant biotechnology community in our region," said Randall Johnson, director of the Southeastern office.