BioFlorida, Fall/Winter 2013. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. –Florida’s bioscience industry continued to show steady growth during 2012, outpacing the national average. Florida’s biotechnology sector grew by 60 percent over the past five years compared to a nationwide increase of less than 5 percent over the same period according to the report released today by BioFlorida. Furthermore, Florida has experienced a 13.5 percent increase in the number of biotech companies since the first quarter of 2012. The second edition of Florida’s BioPulse, titled “A Snapshot of Bio Business and Talent,” provides top-level insight on the growth of the industry by the University of Florida’s Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator. The snapshot is based on its Florida BioDatabase plus a selection of talent development programs at top academic and learning institutions in Florida.
“The new data is evidence of a strong, innovative and sustainable bioscience business climate here in Florida,” says David L. Day, Assistant Vice President of the University of Florida Office of Technology Licensing and the Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator. “Not only is Florida experiencing growth in the number of biotechnology businesses, we are also seeing a continued increase in venture capital investments—demonstration of investor confidence in our biotechnology start-ups and breakthrough research.”
Venture funding in 2012 was the best year for Florida since 2007, the report highlights. New data shows Florida experienced a 27 percent growth in life science deals in 2012 (from 15 to 19) as venture dollars rose to $103.5 million, representing a 19 percent increase compared to 2011. Nationally, the United States experienced a 13 percent decline in life science funding, according to newly released data from the National Venture Capital Association.
In addition, the BioPulse provides an overview of talent development programs in place to support the growing industry by institutions including Moffitt Cancer Center, Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute of Florida and Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience.
To read the full report, click on the below link:
http://bioflorida.com/associations/13862/files/2012_Bio_FL_Report_Final_Edition2_FallWinter_FINAL_Online.pdf