Life Sciences Cluster
As a regional medical hub for northeastern South Carolina, Florence County has attracted a number of pharmaceutical and life sciences companies to the area. Over 600 PhD's in the community ensure a deep base of skilled workers.
Life-Science related companies in Florence County:
- Hoffmann La-Roche (Roche Carolina, Inc.)
- IRIX Pharmaceuticals
- GE Medical Systems
- HealthSouth
- Carolina Hospital System
- McLeod Regional Medical Center
Success Story:
Roche Carolina
Hoffmann La-Roche chose Florence County for its East Coast process development and bulk-manufacturing center.The company considered 19 potential sites before choosing Florence County. Site criteria were extensive: low property and construction costs, a solid transportation infrastructure and a tech-savvy work force.
The company also required three modes of transportation - interstate highways, an airport, and deepwater port to move tons of products. Roche ultimately selected a 1450-acre site that offered direct interstate access and is less than two hour drive from the nation's most efficient container port.
Florence County was also able to offer a one owner site with a readily available infrastructure. Florence County is now home to Roche's $500+ million complex that include laboratories, a pilot plant, and a launch manufacturing facility.
» For more information visit Roche Carolina, Inc.'s website
