Metro Orlando's biotechnology and life sciences sector is developing a strong presence in the region with more than 150 companies involved in numerous facets of the industry such as:

• Groundbreaking research
• Clinical trials
• Agricultural sciences
• Innovative medical training

Two of the nation's largest hospital systems – Florida Hospital and Orlando Health – call Orlando home. But until a few years ago, Orlando was not a real 'contender' for the life sciences and biotech industry.

That changed in 2003, when Metro Orlando was 'short-listed' for the location of the Scripps Research Institute. While Scripps ultimately decided to locate in West Palm Beach instead, the region learned an important lesson: Metro Orlando had a great deal to offer but we needed a medical school to realistically compete for the development, expansion and relocation of life science companies. 

Elected officials, community leaders and groups like the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission (EDC) immediately began working together with University of Central Florida (UCF) President Dr. John Hitt to make this happen. And in March 2006, within a remarkably short time frame, the UCF College of Medicine was approved. 

With the approval of the College of Medicine, Orlando became a realistic locational choice for life sciences companies ... and community leaders were working behind the scenes to prove this by luring the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute to Orlando. When Sanford-Burnham announced their east coast expansion was to be in Orlando, the eyes of the life sciences community and the world turned to our region.

Shortly thereafter, a 'medical city' was born when M. D. Anderson - Orlando's Cancer Research Institute, Nemours Children's Hospital, Orlando VA Medical Center and University of Florida Research and Academic Center all announced plans to establish facilities at Lake Nona's Medical City.

Within a short span of time, the dream of creating a world-class life science cluster was starting to take shape in Orlando. And this was not going unnoticed. The decision of the Burnham Institute to locate in Orlando generated unprecedented media coverage and overwhelming interest in Orlando as a life sciences destination.