Biotechnology in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to a dynamic and growing biotechnology community:

  • North Carolina ranks third in the nation in number of biotechnology companies for the fourth consecutive year, according to Ernst and Young's 2007 industry survey.
  • It has earned other national accolades and for its competitive advantages.
  • More than 528 bioscience companies are headquartered or have operations in North Carolina, employing 57,000 people, according to the Biotechnology Center's online companies database.

Industry Support

Since 1984 North Carolina has invested more than $187 million in biotechnology infrastructure through the Biotechnology Center. That investment includes a range of grants and loans for young companies and education training programs.

The North Carolina Community College System provides workforce training in biotechnology through its statewide BioNetwork program and BioWork course. The community colleges, along with the UNC System, the industry trade group NCBIO, the Biotechnology Center, and five biomanufacturing companies, are part of the North Carolina Biomanufacturing and Pharmaceutical Training Consortium.

Blueprint for Biotechnology Development

These activities align with North Carolina's mission to develop biotechnology in all parts of the state. Those priorities constitute a major priority of the state's blueprint for biotechnology development: New Jobs Across North Carolina: A Strategic Plan for Growing the Economy Statewide through Biotechnology.

While our entire staff focuses attention statewide, the plan called for two-person offices in each region take the lead on specific activities in these areas: