Employment in Ohio's biosciences sector is on the rise across the state according to a report released today by BioOhio, a non-profit organization supported by the Thomas Edison Program of the Ohio Department of Development. Despite the nation's stagnant overall economy, total employment in Ohio's bioscience sector in 2008 was 55,465. That's a 2.8% increase between 2007 and 2008 (1,520 jobs). Since 2000, the bioscience sector in Ohio added over 8,400 jobs, a 17.9% increase.
“The state is proud to support the growth of high-tech industries like bioscience through programs like the Ohio Third Frontier”
Research conducted by BioOhio and Cleveland State University through February 2010 indicates at least 1,253 bioscience-related firms, with a combined 1,628 locations, were operating in Ohio. These organizations range from global brands to newly hatched start-ups. Retrospective analysis revealed that 1,057 bioscience firms existed in 2000. Nearly 55% of Ohio's bioscience firms fall into two subsectors—medical laboratories & diagnostic imaging centers (565 locations) and medical device & equipment manufacturers (325 locations). The six bioscience subsectors also include pharmaceuticals & therapeutics, agricultural biotechnology, testing laboratories, and research & development.
From 2004 to 2008, 355 new companies began operation in Ohio—an average of 71 each year. In 2008, 81 bioscience-related organizations either launched or established their first facility in the state. BioOhio President and CEO Tony Dennis attributes this growth Ohio's strengths related to getting products to market.
"Ohioans make products, distribute products, and market products," Dennis said, "and over the past decade that has become increasingly true in the bioscience industry. Companies around the U.S. and throughout the world understand that Ohio is a cost-effective, workforce-ready location to set up shop. We welcome them with open arms."
"The state is proud to support the growth of high-tech industries like bioscience through programs like the Ohio Third Frontier," said Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "This latest report shows that these investments, along with those of nonprofit organizations and entrepreneurs, are successfully creating new businesses and new jobs for our state."
Some of those new companies include Cervilenz, M2M Imaging and ViewRay in northeast Ohio, Cardiox and EXCMR in Columbus, Blue Ash Therapeutics and Airway Therapeutics in southwest Ohio, and ADS Biotechnology in the Toledo area.
The northeast region, including Cleveland and Akron, led the state in number of bioscience firms with 39.5% of all bioscience firm locations. The central region, anchored by Columbus, and the southwest region, which includes Cincinnati, followed with about 16% of bioscience locations each. Since 2000, all regions have grown in the total number of bioscience locations.
From 2005 through 2009, 179 bioscience companies have either expanded operations or announced new facilities in the state. Forty new projects occurred in 2009, including major developments from Battelle and Ben Venue Laboratories.
Bioscience in Ohio also showed growth in average wages. Bioscience sector jobs paid an average wage of $70,232 in 2008, including all bioscience industries and all occupations, not just for scientists and top managers. Ohio's bioscience sector payroll totaled $3.9 billion in 2008, an increase of $895 million or nearly 30% since 2000, as measured in 2008 dollars. Bioscience payroll grew by $109.8 million (2.9%) from 2007 to 2008.
"It is important to annually monitor the economic performance of the bioscience industry in Ohio to capture the industry performance during periods of economic recessions and expansions," said Ziona Austrian, director of Cleveland State University's Center for Economic Development.
The Ohio Bioscience Growth Report also reports on trends in bioscience research funding, company investment indicators, and intellectual property.
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