According to UF's Sid Martin Florida BioDatabase, More Than Half of Florida's Biotech Companies Founded since 2001
DATELINE: ALACHUA, Fla.
More than half of Florida's 134 biotech and biomedical device companies were founded in the last six years, according to data compiled and published online for the first time by the University of Florida's Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator (SMBI).
Florida BioDatabase(TM) (FloridaBioDatabase.com) offers the first detailed look at Florida's biotech and biomed device industry. The top three regions with the greatest concentration of biotech and bio-med device companies are: The Southeastern region with 46, the North Central Region with 37, and the Tampa Bay region with 30.
"A major step forward has been achieved by the University of Florida Sid Martin Incubator in providing an easy-to-use, comprehensive database on biotechnology companies throughout Florida," said David Gury, a consultant and the former CEO of Nabi Biopharmaceuticals.
"Sixty seven venture capital and other firms have invested in Florida's biotech sector in the last three years," according to Michael Schmitt, who has been working on the database. Dr. Schmitt is a medical doctor and life science analyst in Lakeland who has been tracking Florida biotech companies for seven years and is the author of a 2003 Japanese External Trade Organization report on Florida's biotech companies. "The amount invested has risen from $66 million in 2005, to $195 million in 2006 and $222 million so far in 2007," said Dr. Schmitt.
"This database will be a highly useful tool for biotech investors, potential strategic partners, media, service providers, economic development groups and analysts," said David Day, director of the SMBI.
"This paints a much clearer picture of Florida's biotech industry," said Dr. Win Phillips, vice president for research at UF. "It's important for our constituencies - public and private - to understand how important biotech is becoming to the Florida economy."
The database shows that most companies are privately owned with fewer than 20 employees. The largest group (41%) is developing new therapeutics. Twenty-one (16%) are residing in or have graduated from UF's Incubator Program.
Built over the last year from publicly available information, Florida BioDatabase will be updated several times a year. BioFlorida, the state's bioscience industry association, will distribute the first printed directory of Florida bioscience companies in the Spring of 2008 in collaboration with UF.
TheSid Martin Biotechnology Incubatoris a nationally recognized bio-business incubator. Biotech startups benefit from customized infrastructure including wet labs, scientific equipment and business assistance.
CONTACT: University of Florida Sid Martin Biotechnology
Incubator, Alachua
Patti Breedlove, 386-462-0880