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Dr. Malcolm Leissring, lead Alzheimer’s researcher at Scripps Florida, in his new lab

In 2003, world-renowned The Scripps Research Institute chose Palm Beach County for its East Coast home, in large part due to the region’s already thriving cluster of life science companies and research universities. In the two decades prior to Scripps’ arrival, these companies were conducting research and product development, and had created an environment that was ideal for Scripps.

With the growing nationwide competition for a part of the bioscience industry, Palm Beach County tops other areas because of its existing infrastructure, educational institutions, no state income tax and numerous amenities.

In addition, the Sunshine State offers life science companies a pro-business, pro-technology climate, and has the infrastructure to support business incubation and technology transfer, with many programmes and facilities that efficiently move research discoveries from the laboratory to market. Florida has also designated biomedical technology a “high-impact” industry. Because of this, qualifying companies are eligible for special tax and performance incentives. Scripps’ decision to choose Palm Beach County represents a dramatic, multifaceted impact on the local economy. For example, at the beginning of its second year of operations in January 2006, Scripps Florida already employed 166 workers and is expected to employ 545 by its seventh year of operation.

Because of Scripps Florida’s influence, state economists predict that 6,500 new direct and indirect jobs will be generated during the next 15 years, and will firmly position Florida as an undeniable leader in biomedical research. The generation of $1.6bn in additional income to Floridians with the creation of up to 44,000 spin-off jobs and a boost in the state’s gross domestic product of $3.2bn is also predicted. These estimates are based on Scripps repeating its California experience, where 499 biotech businesses have been established – 80% of them within a three-mile radius of the La Jolla campus.

Palm Beach County, due to its existing infrastructure, favorable business climate and resources, is uniquely situated to mirror the California clustering effect. Scripps Florida is expected to be a strong magnet for other research organisations and laboratories, attracting top-notch academics and professionals, and will serve as a nucleus for university research statewide.

Florida universities and research centres will continue to expand their own scientific investigation with new facilities and programmes in regenerative health biotechnology, marine biotechnology, biological defence, brain and Alzheimer’s research. At the same time, Scripps Florida pledges to work with all of the state’s public and private universities to enhance these programmes and open the door for new scientific research.

With more than 33,000 companies employing more than 604,000 in biotechnology, medical device manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, Florida already has an enviable leadership position in the bioscience industry, and the addition of the Scripps Florida campus will further strengthen this concentration of knowledge. Florida’s existing blend of medical technology companies, hospitals and a highly-skilled workforce provides several advantages to companies in the state’s bioscience sector.

The strategic logic of locating in Palm Beach County perfectly matches with Scripps’ goal to disseminate its research and product development quickly and expertly. The southeast Florida region and its well-developed infrastructure provide easy access to international markets via three international airports and three deep-water seaports.

“The arrival of Scripps Florida is exciting for Palm Beach County,” says Kelly Smallridge, president of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. “Because of Scripps and the county’s business and lifestyle opportunities, Palm Beach County is poised to become a leading centre for life science opportunities and be synonymous with similar clusters throughout the world.”

For more information, contact:
Andrew Duffell
Senior Vice President, Development
310 Evernia Street
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
Tel: 001 561 835 1008
Fax: 001 561 835 1160
E-mail: aduffell@bdb.org

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