Ohio Life Sciences

Ohio Life Sciences Appoints Five New Board Members

Gene Powell — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 20:00:00 +0000

OLS Association and OLS Foundation add new expertise from across the life sciences industry to help lead organization into 2025 and beyond

COLUMBUS, Ohio (November 14, 2024) – Ohio Life Sciences (OLS) today announced the addition of five new appointments to the OLS boards of directors: Allyson Blandford, associate director, state government affairs at Amgen; Dr. Paco Herson, associate vice president for health sciences innovation at The Ohio State University; Greg Kimmel, general manager, health business unit for Battelle; Liza Lewis, head of human resources at Forge Biologics; and Emma Off, CEO, president and partner at CincyTech. The new board members will help guide OLS in aligning the life sciences industry to drive innovation, expansion and economic growth across the state of Ohio.

“OLS is proud to have these dynamic leaders join our distinguished boards, adding to the expertise we are excited to tap into as we continue to deliver for our members and push the life sciences industry forward in our state,” said Eddie Pauline, president and CEO of OLS. “Together, the OLS Foundation and OLS Association boards, OLS members and life sciences organizations here continue to make incredible strides in Ohio, while developing innovative products and lifesaving technologies that change lives every day.”

New OLS Foundation Board Members

About Allyson Blandford
Blandford is associate director, state government affairs at Amgen, one of the world’s leading independent biotechnology companies. With more than 20 years of public and private sector policy experience, she helps lead healthcare policy and government affairs for Amgen and will contribute those insights into guiding OLS’ priorities and approach to local, state and federal agencies, officials and representatives in promoting the state’s life sciences ecosystem.

About Greg Kimmel
Kimmel is general manager of the health business unit for Battelle, the world’s largest independent nonprofit research and development organization. With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, he helps manage the organization’s healthcare innovation for the world’s most pressing health challenges and will advise OLS on key industry innovation trends and emerging opportunities.

About Liza Lewis
Lewis is head of human resources for Forge Biologics, a leading contract development and manufacturing organization of genetic medicines. She will bring her human capital strategy and management experience to help OLS advance its talent development efforts, ensuring Ohio’s life sciences organizations have access to the workforce needed to build a thriving ecosystem.

About Emma Off
Off is CEO, president and partner at CincyTech, an early-stage venture capital firm, overseeing all aspects of the organization, including the firm’s strategic direction and business development efforts, operations, fundraising, and investment activities and portfolio management. Off is a key member of CincyTech’s investment committee and serves on the boards of several CincyTech portfolio companies in the life sciences space. She brings her extensive governance, private capital and corporate transaction and M&A experience to advise OLS on strategic matters and drawing additional funding to the extensive life sciences industry in Ohio.

These four OLS appointees join the OLS Foundation board of 15 members led by new Board Chair Eli Phillips, Jr., PharmD, JD, vice president of business development and partnerships, cell, gene and advanced therapies for McKesson Corporation. Phillips replaces outgoing Board Chair Stacy Strauss, director of the Ohio University Innovation Center. Michael Gaul, COO of Beyond Air, will also rotate off of the Foundation board.

New OLS Association Board Member

About Dr. Paco Herson
Dr. Herson, associate vice president for health sciences innovation at The Ohio State University and associate dean for research innovation at The Ohio State College of Medicine, is a translational neuroscientist specializing in therapeutic approaches to treat cerebrovascular disease, conditions that can include stroke, brain bleeds, vascular dementia and others. His research experience and insight into academic research will bring new perspectives on partnerships and innovation to OLS.

Dr. Herson joins the OLS Association board of nine members. Current Board Vice-Chair Tyler Allchin, managing director, healthcare, for JobsOhio, will assume the role of board chair, replacing Michael Triplett, Ph. D., president and CEO of Armatus Bio.

About Ohio Life Sciences
Ohio Life Sciences (OLS), the state association advancing and advocating for the common interests of the state’s life sciences community, convenes dynamic companies, people, and institutions to elevate the ecosystem in Ohio while supporting those that drive health, economic and social well-being in communities across the globe. OLS is organized as two nonprofit operations to best serve the life sciences ecosystem across the state, a 501c6 (Ohio Life Sciences Association) to serve as the member-based organization focused on economic and workforce development and advocacy; and a 501c3 (Ohio Life Sciences Foundation) focused on delivering research and funding that will accelerate and promote a robust life sciences industry in Ohio. Learn more at OhioLifeSciences.org.

Media Contact:
Michael Myser
mmyser@werthpr.com
Phone: 973-207-3195

Case Western Reserve University’s 11000 Cedar Incubator is driving innovation in Northeast Ohio.

Gene Powell — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 17:39:41 +0000

Image courtesy of Case Western Reserve University

Q&A: CWRU’s 11000 Cedar Incubator Drives Life Sciences Innovation

October 11, 2024
Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) spent the last 18 months investing in 11000 Cedar, a startup incubator for biotech and the life sciences – one of just a few Cleveland-area incubators open to all startups. 11000 Cedar includes about 30,000 square feet of wet lab space, as well as dry labs, private and shared offices, and access to CWRU’s core research facilities.

Incubators like this are critical to developing and nurturing life sciences companies in their early stages, and I was happy to sit down recently with Steve Fening, CWRU’s associate vice president for research, to hear more about the facility and how it is helping advance research in Northeast Ohio – which will ultimately benefit patients both in Ohio and around the world.

Questions

This partnership began about a year and a half ago, taking over the former BioEnterprise Corp. nonprofit incubator. Can you tell me about the goals the team had for this space and how those have played out over the last year?

Our primary goal for 11000 Cedar was to create a supportive environment for early-stage technology-based companies in the Cleveland region. Over many months, Michael Oakes (senior vice president for research and technology management), Andy Cornwell (director of 11000 Cedar Incubator), and I visited incubator facilities across the country to learn best practices and identify what was needed for Cleveland’s ecosystem. LabCentral in Boston and Bakar Labs at Cal Berkely were two models that we were most excited to follow.

We aim to provide scalable and shared facilities, such as individually rentable lab benches in a shared laboratory, which has allowed us to support more companies — from 12 to about 25 with room for further growth. Over the past year, we’ve focused on building a strong community among our tenants, and it’s exciting to see this community take shape and thrive.

This is one of just a few incubators in northeast Ohio open to entities outside the core partnership group. Why was that important?

The 11000 Cedar Incubator is consistent with President Eric Kaler’s vision to grow the impact of Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, across Ohio and beyond. While other incubators like Cleveland Clinic’s Global Cardiovascular Innovations Center (GCIC) and Bounce Innovation Hub in Akron also support outside entities, our goal was to strengthen regional partnerships and make this a valuable resource for the entire Cleveland area. This inclusivity helps drive innovation and economic growth across the region.

The Cleveland Innovation District, with support from JobsOhio, is anchored by University Hospitals, Cleveland State, MetroHealth, Cleveland Clinic and of course Case Western Reserve University. Can you talk more about the role Case has in driving activity in the district and how you collaborate with those other key partners?

Case Western Reserve University plays a pivotal role in the Cleveland Innovation District by driving health-focused research that leads to economic growth. Under the leadership of Michael Oakes, our research expenditures have grown significantly, from about $400 million to $550 million per year. We collaborate closely with other anchor institutions to leverage our collective assets and relationships, converting research into job creation and economic benefits for the region.

Without divulging any trade secrets, of course, what can you share about the type of research underway at 11000 Cedar now?

The majority of our incubator companies are focused on novel health-related technologies, including new pharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics. We’ve recently opened the facility to areas outside of health, and are starting to see new companies from the energy storage and sustainable manufacturing areas.

11000 also is the current home for CWRU’s Human Fusions Institute (HFI), an incredibly exciting interdisciplinary team that is working on restoring a sense of touch for people wearing prosthetics. What are the plans for HFI going forward?

CWRU is just breaking ground on a new 189,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building (ISEB) right in the middle of campus. That building will be uniquely organized around research clusters, which bring multiple disciplines together to address key societal problems.

We are so proud of our HFI, which is a model of interdisciplinary collaboration at Case Western Reserve University. HFI has a temporary home in 11000 Cedar to execute and learn from the cluster model. When the ISEB building opens in the fall of 2026, HFI will move there, and the space will convert to dry lab space as part of the incubator. We are expecting the commercial activities of HFI to continue in the incubator.

Where do you see the life sciences and biotech industry going in northeast Ohio, and in Ohio in general, over the next year? The next five years?

I’m very optimistic about the future of life sciences and biotech in northeast Ohio. Over the next year, we anticipate continued advancements in health-related technologies, particularly in medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Looking ahead to the next five years, we expect significant growth driven by increased collaboration between academic institutions and industry, the establishment of new research facilities, and the rise of startup companies. This growth will likely lead to more job creation and solidify northeast Ohio as a hub for life sciences and biotech innovation.

I hope you enjoyed these highlights from my conversation with Steve. I want to thank Steve for his time and insights, and also express my gratitude to the entire leadership at Case Western Reserve University, and JobsOhio for their unwavering commitment to advancing the life sciences in northeast Ohio and beyond.

Sincerely,

Eddie Pauline
President & CEO
Ohio Life Sciences

Pelotonia and Ohio Life Sciences among first tenants in Energy Advancement and Innovation Center

Gene Powell — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 15:55:37 +0000

Both organizations will establish their headquarters in the innovation district at The Ohio State University

Read the full story here.

Ohio Life Sciences makes $250,000 gift to Columbus State to accelerate biotechnology career entry

Gene Powell — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 14:33:53 +0000

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Life Sciences, the state’s industry trade association for biotechnology and life sciences organizations, has provided $250,000 to Columbus State Community College to sponsor enrollment in the college’s Biotechnology Bootcamp over the next year.

The Biotechnology Bootcamp is a short-term certificate program that develops foundational knowledge and skills needed to enter in-demand biomanufacturing and life sciences careers. With curriculum and training developed by Columbus State faculty and central Ohio biotechnology and biopharmaceutical employers, who are also represented by Ohio Life Sciences, the 12-week program creates a career path for the underemployed, career-changers, military veterans, high school and career-technical graduates, and those new to the industry. The program will help develop the biotechnology and life sciences workforces, two in-demand and growing fields in central Ohio.

Covering FDA regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices, cleanroom processes and lab equipment use, the bootcamp prepares students to enter the field as technicians making an average wage of $19 to $24 per hour and sets them up for continuing education as they advance their careers and increase their earnings. Continuing education options include Columbus State’s new Associate of Science in Biotechnology, which is launching in the upcoming autumn semester.

“We consider Columbus State’s Biotechnology Bootcamp to be a leading model for biotech career and workforce development, and it is our hope that our investment can scale up to meet the demands of the region’s life sciences industry,” said Eddie Pauline, Ohio Life Sciences president and CEO. “In developing this bootcamp, Columbus State has collaborated well with the growing number of area employers to create education opportunities that are affordable while still preparing students for success. Our goal is to help students get the training they need to join the biotech and life sciences industry, and to remove the burden of tuition, which so often stands in the way.”

“Ohio Life Sciences’ sponsorship is a leading example of how industry is not only partnering with the college, but investing in innovative models that broaden student access to career pathways within this life-changing industry,” said Cheryl Hay, executive director of Columbus State’s Office of Talent Strategy. “Ohio Life Sciences recognizes the commitment of our college to providing talent solutions to the region’s biomanufacturing sector and have worked shoulder to shoulder with us to create education pathways that enable a student to go from an entry-level training offering such as the bootcamp, into a comprehensive, employment-ready associate degree. The transferability of the college associate program into a bachelor’s program provides ongoing career growth for the vast student population we serve. This support from Ohio Life Sciences will be instrumental in raising awareness of biomanufacturing education options and the benefits of employment in the sector.”

The biotech and life sciences industry is growing rapidly in central Ohio and across the state. In the last four years, life sciences companies have invested more than $2 billion into new facilities and expansions, creating more than 7,350 new jobs. These positions pay well — averaging salaries around $90,000 a year, about 40% higher than the average annual income in Columbus. Ohio’s life sciences industry is expansive, encompassing biotech, biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, labs, digital health, gene and cell therapy, agricultural biotechnology, research and academic institutions.

Ohio Life Sciences’ $250,000 gift will enable Columbus State to scale up its Biotechnology Bootcamp program within the college’s Accelerated Training Centers noncredit career education portfolio to fund up to 80 students in the program over the next year. In addition to covering bootcamp student costs, the gift will also fund awareness-building and recruitment for Columbus State’s biotech programs.

“As we launch our new biotechnology degree, Ohio Life Sciences shows great timing in wanting to help ramp up interest in education in the field,” said program leader Matthew Saelzler, assistant professor in Biological and Physical Sciences and lead instructor for General Biology. Saelzler co-developed the college’s biotechnology associate with Sacha Tadros, assistant professor in Health Professions and Wellness. “Getting people started in the career is a great way to foster further education and training with us, that employers will be looking to as they grow and mature their workforces in the region,” he said.

“We applaud Ohio Life Sciences in recognizing the value of Columbus State’s biotech education programming and partnership with the local industry,” said Mandy Medve, senior director of talent acquisition for Forge Biologics, a leading gene therapy biotech company based in Columbus. “The Biotechnology Bootcamp is a consistent source for talented employee hires for our company, and it’s only one building block within the college’s workforce support for biomanufacturing employers. We look forward to seeing and being a part of what Columbus State does next in this exciting synergy between biotech employment needs and just-in-time curriculum alignment.”

About Ohio Life Sciences
Ohio Life Sciences (OLS), the state association advancing and advocating for the common interests of the state’s life sciences community, convenes dynamic companies, people and institutions to elevate the ecosystem in Ohio while supporting those that drive health, economic and social well-being in communities across the globe. OLS is organized as two nonprofit operations to best serve the life sciences ecosystem across the state, a 501c6 (Ohio Life Sciences Association) to serve as the member-based organization focused on economic and workforce development and advocacy; and a 501c3 (Ohio Life Sciences Foundation) focused on delivering research and funding that will accelerate and promote a robust life sciences industry in Ohio.

About Columbus State Community College
Serving more than 40,000 students annually, Columbus State is the largest community college in Ohio. The college has been nationally recognized for advancements in student success and workforce innovation, including the prestigious Leah Meyer Austin Award.

Among other collaborations to enhance student success and career opportunities, Columbus State convenes the Workforce Advisory Council, comprised of the chief talent officers of the largest employers in the region; co-facilitates the Central Ohio Compact, an alliance of leaders from K-12, higher education, employers, and social service groups focused on student achievement; and partners with four-year universities to offer debt-free pathways to bachelor’s degrees.

OLS Media Contact:
Laura Arenschield
larenschield@werthpr.com
Phone: 336-529-1521

Columbus State Media Contact:
Brent Wilder
bwilder5@cscc.edu
Phone: 614-338-9242

Building Tomorrow’s Biotech Workforce: OLS Biotechnology Bootcamp

Gene Powell — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 12:52:26 +0000

As the life sciences industry grows here in Ohio, we are laser-focused on workforce development: Ensuring Ohioans have access to the training they need to succeed in new life sciences jobs and ensuring companies have access to the right people to get the jobs done. As our region’s life sciences industry grows, there is a special need for biomanufacturing production technicians, who specialize in precision and who play crucial roles in getting lifesaving treatments, medications and gene therapies to the people who need them.

That’s why I’m so pleased to be sharing our latest effort: the Ohio Life Sciences (OLS) Biotechnology Bootcamp at Columbus State Community College. The bootcamp is a short-term certificate program that develops the foundational knowledge and skills individuals need to get jobs in biomanufacturing and the life sciences. The curriculum is developed by Columbus State, in partnership with central Ohio biotech and biopharmaceutical companies. It’s a 12-week program, and it sets the stage for people with little or no life sciences experience to launch their careers in this life changing industry — life changing for Ohioans who can secure a position that pays $25 an hour or more, and for the patients that will be healed by the medicines and devices they help make.

There is no cost for the bootcamp because OLS is investing $250,000 from its state-funded workforce grant to seed the program. This means that up to 80 people who choose to pursue this certificate can do so without any financial burden — and it is our goal to scale up this program over the coming years. Our grant will also cover costs related to educating future students about the benefits of a career in the life sciences.

This program will benefit those who are underemployed, changing careers, military veterans, high school and career-technical graduates, as well as those who are simply new to the biotech and life sciences industry. And it will also benefit our life sciences and biotech companies, which have told us time and again that a skilled workforce is one of the most critical things they need to succeed.

The need is enormous. Life sciences companies like Amgen, Andelyn, Charles River, AmplifyBio, National Resilience, Abbott, American Regent, AtriCure, Forge and Pharmavite are growing rapidly in central Ohio and across the state. In the last four years, life sciences companies have invested more than $2 billion into new Ohio facilities and expansions, creating more than 7,350 new jobs. Life sciences positions pay well — averaging salaries around $90,000 a year, about 40% higher than the average annual income in Columbus.

And the partnerships between industry and higher education institutions like Columbus State are important: They help ensure that students are learning the right skills for the jobs companies have available. Our team is helping create even more partnerships with other educational partners throughout the state — our association and our companies have to invest where we know it will directly benefit life sciences workforce development.

If you’d like to learn more about the program, please visit https://www.cscc.edu/workforce/individuals/accelerated-training-centers/biotechnology-manufacturing/.

And if you have thoughts or ideas about how we can continue to develop Ohio’s life sciences workforce, please reply — I’d love to hear about them!

Sincerely,
Eddie

Corporate Traveler Joins Ohio Life Sciences Advantage Purchasing Program

Gene Powell — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 13:18:23 +0000

COLUMBUS, Ohio (September 16, 2024) — Ohio Life Sciences Association (OLS) is excited to announce the addition of Corporate Traveler to its Ohio Life Sciences Advantage Purchasing Program. This strategic partnership empowers OLS members to optimize their travel programs and achieve their business objectives. Travel management services include dedicated travel consultants, modern innovative travel technology Melon, and a commitment to white-glove service and the support you need.

Benefits for OLS members include:

Exclusive pricing
A dedicated travel consultant
24/7 support from anywhere with live chat
15-minute response times
Reporting to stay on top of costs, missed savings, unused tickets and traveler safety
Access to our exclusive rates on airfare, hotel, and cars
Expert knowledge when it comes to advisory boards, leadership meetings, clinical trial, Sunshine Act/HIPAA and GCP Compliance for the life sciences industry

Get the OLS-Corporate Traveler one-pager

Contact
To learn how Corporate Traveler can save your business time and money on business travel, talk to a travel expert e-mail by e-mailing Ashley George at Ashley.george@corporatetraveler.us or click here and fill out the form.

For more information about Ohio Life Sciences and the Advantage program benefits with Corporate Traveler, visit our website at https://ohiolifesciences.org/membership/advantage/

Not an OLS Member? Click here to join!

About Ohio Life Sciences
OLS is Ohio’s life science industry trade association, representing an industry that includes more than 4,200 businesses statewide. Ohio Life Sciences convenes and advocates on behalf of biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, labs, digital health, gene and cell therapy, agricultural biotechnology, and research and academic institutions throughout Ohio. OLS is the voice representing and advocating for the common interests of our life sciences community.

About Corporate Traveler
Corporate Traveler is the flagship SME corporate travel division of Flight Centre Travel Group, operating in six global markets. Established in 1993 as Flight Centre Travel Group’s first corporate brand, the award-winning business travel management and solutions provider offers its personalized service, expert tailored advice, dedicated travel consultants, and advanced booking technology to over 16,000 business customers globally. Offering an all-in-one innovative booking platform with the support of a personal travel consultant, Corporate Traveler makes travel simpler, faster, and easier for businesses. With a wide range of solutions available, Corporate Traveler can cater for simple requirements through to the most complex SME business travel management needs. For more information or to book a business consultation, visit corporatetraveler.us

Mercury Shipping Joins Ohio Life Sciences Advantage Purchasing Program

Gene Powell — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 15:31:03 +0000

COLUMBUS, Ohio (August 13, 2024) — Ohio Life Sciences Association (OLS) is delighted to announce the addition of Mercury Shipping to its Ohio Life Sciences Advantage Purchasing Program. This strategic partnership empowers OLS members with exclusive access to preferred pricing on Mercury’s comprehensive shipping services.

Advantages for OLS Members:

Specialty Cold Chain and Next Flight Out (NFO) Shipping: OLS members gain access to Mercury as their one-stop shop for all time- and temperature-sensitive shipping, with pre-negotiated discounts.
Personalized Service: Unlike a generic 1-800 number, Mercury provides a dedicated team that gets to know each client personally.
Expertise in Logistics:

End-to-end shipping, from pick-up to delivery.
First Mile and Last Mile solutions, including specific pickup time slots and precise locations.
Dry ice delivery and replenishment, TempTales devices for temperature monitoring during transit.
Cold chain shipments.
Assistance with exports/imports, customs, and duty processing.
Express shipping.
Third-party validated thermal shippers and supplies.
Precise live monitoring using GPS trackers.

Ohio Life Sciences remains committed to fostering growth within Ohio’s dynamic life sciences community, and this partnership with Mercury Shipping exemplifies that dedication.

For more information about Ohio Life Sciences and the Advantage program benefits with Mercury Shipping, visit our website at https://ohiolifesciences.org/membership/advantage/

Not an OLS Member? Click here to join!

Contact Mercury: https://www.shipmercury.com/contact-us

About Ohio Life Sciences

Ohio Life Sciences (OLS), the state association advancing and advocating for the common interests of the state’s life sciences community, convenes dynamic companies, people, and institutions to elevate the ecosystem in Ohio while supporting those that drive health, economic, and social well-being in communities across the globe. OLS is organized as two nonprofit operations to best serve the life sciences ecosystem across the state, a 501c6 (Ohio Life Sciences Association) to serve as the member-based organization focused on economic and workforce development and advocacy; and a 501c3 (Ohio Life Sciences Foundation) focused on delivering research and funding that will accelerate and promote a robust life sciences industry in Ohio.

Media Contact:
Laura Arenschield
larenschield@werthpr.com
Phone: 336-529-1521

Ohio’s Competitive Advantage: Its People

Gene Powell — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 16:34:18 +0000

Last month, the Ohio Life Sciences (OLS) team partnered with JobsOhio to host a booth showcasing Ohio’s achievements in the life sciences at the BIO International Convention, the largest and most comprehensive event for biotechnology in the world. Tens of thousands of life sciences leaders from around the world came together in San Diego.

In talking to them, it became clear that Ohio’s competitive advantage is our people: in the workforce we are developing, our existing talent pool, and our leaders in both science and policy, who are making it easier for life sciences companies to do their work. Amgen was a lead sponsor of BIO, and I was reminded of its success in opening Amgen Ohio — especially how its buildout in central Ohio was the fastest-to-completion in company history.

I also was reminded, yet again, how critical the life sciences are, not only for our economies, but for patients and the people who love them. This industry saves patients’ lives, through research and development, through devices, through technology and through care. It increases patients’ quality of life and gives them more time with their family and friends. It makes it possible for them to do the things that make them happiest.

What a powerful thing.

Supporting those patients means supporting this industry, which is growing every day in Ohio. And that means supporting its people. A recent report from global commercial real estate firm CBRE shows that the workforce talent pool in Ohio is among the strongest in the nation. Ohio was just one of just four states with three different geographies recognized for its life sciences talent pool — and unlike other states, those cities are all within a close drive of one another.

The report celebrated the workforce and talent pools in Cleveland for med-tech, Cincinnati for medical devices, and Columbus for research and development.

Columbus was listed in the top five regions nationally for higher education degrees awarded in genetics, continuing to highlight central Ohio’s acumen in gene and cell therapy. Cincinnati and Columbus were both among the 25 cities with the most life science R&D occupations by market. And both Cleveland and Cincinnati ranked among the top 25 cities in life sciences manufacturing jobs.

This is a statewide success, and it is the result of deliberate investment. Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus are home to our state’s three innovation districts, which have been supported through the state, JobsOhio, the private sector, universities and the federal government.

But we can’t stop here. At BIO, it also was clear to me that while Ohio is enjoying incredible success in growing its life sciences industry, we also cannot take our feet off the proverbial gas pedal, because many other regions would like to be where we are, and to beat us to where we’re headed.

And it was clear that our direct state government investments to date, while critical, still lag far behind other states who are committed to developing their life sciences industries. Ohio last year made a $5 million investment over two years to develop our state’s life sciences workforce — a project that is underway now. But other states have invested many times that amount — North Carolina put $16 million into community college life science education; Illinois provided $15.4 million in grants to fund wet lab expansions throughout the state; Arizona invested $50 million into the Arizona Health Innovation Trust fund; Virginia invested $66.7 million into the life sciences industry there. And New York City invested a staggering $1 billion to expand the industry, commercialize research and build on its research cluster.

So, while I celebrate the successes we’ve achieved, I also am aware that future investment is crucial. We at OLS are laser-focused on growing our life sciences talent pool even more over the coming years, and we are looking forward to seeing how our combined efforts pay off, for our economy, of course, but most importantly for the patients around the world who will benefit from therapies developed and built right here in Ohio — I’m eager to hear from you to answer any questions about how you can help!

Ohio’s Life Sciences Workforce Recognized in New National Report

Gene Powell — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 15:45:51 +0000

Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus highlighted for talent pool across the life sciences

COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 9, 2024) –– Ohio is one of just four states with three or more different geographies leading the life sciences, according to a new report from global commercial real estate firm CBRE.

The report, an annual analysis of life sciences talent across the U.S., for the first time highlighted the entire state of Ohio for its life sciences talent clusters in three crucial sectors: research and development, med-tech and medical devices. Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus were all highlighted for their life sciences talent pools.

“This is a statewide success and is the result of deliberate investments in our life sciences talent pipeline and in the entire life sciences ecosystem,” said Eddie Pauline, president and CEO of Ohio Life Sciences, the state’s trade association representing the life sciences industry. “Our three innovation districts have fueled this, with investments from the state, JobsOhio, the private sector, universities and the federal government.”

The report notes that, for life sciences companies, low unemployment and demographic constraints will continue to make hiring a challenge. The report calls out established research and development clusters in Washington, D.C./Baltimore, New York/New Jersey and Raleigh-Durham in North Carolina, but also ranks three smaller clusters highly, including Columbus.

Cleveland earned high marks for its med-tech talent pool, and Cincinnati was highlighted for its medical devices talent.

“This report shows that our investments make Ohio and the companies here more competitive,” said JobsOhio president and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “Our future investments will be critical. As the CBRE analysis notes, unemployment is at historic lows, and unemployment across life sciences is even lower. Growing Ohio’s talent will be the way we continue this competitive advantage.”

To read the full report, please visit https://www.cbre.com/insights/books/2024-us-life-sciences-outlook

About Ohio Life Sciences

Ohio Life Sciences (OLS), the state association advancing and advocating for the common interests of the state’s life sciences community, convenes dynamic companies, people, and institutions to elevate the ecosystem in Ohio while supporting those that drive health, economic, and social well-being in communities across the globe. OLS is organized as two nonprofit operations to best serve the life sciences ecosystem across the state, a 501c6 (Ohio Life Sciences Association) to serve as the member-based organization focused on economic and workforce development and advocacy; and a 501c3 (Ohio Life Sciences Foundation) focused on delivering research and funding that will accelerate and promote a robust life sciences industry in Ohio.

Media Contact:
Laura Arenschield
larenschield@werthpr.com
Phone: 336-529-1521

Ohio Business Growth Guide 2024

Gene Powell — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 14:50:40 +0000

Under the leadership of Gov. Mike DeWine and JobsOhio, the Ohio business climate has transformed itself into a national leader capable of producing an economic juggernaut. From Intel and Joby Aviation to Honda, LG Energy and many more, the Buckeye State is reaping record-setting investment project wins on multiple fronts, with plenty more in the works.

Read the Ohio Business Growth Guide 2024