Industry Snapshot

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The bioscience and medical technology industry in Ohio is comprised of approximately 500 companies that encompass a broad spectrum of activities including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, imaging, contract research, agbio, and food and nutritional products. These companies represent every stage of biotech development, from start-ups and emerging growth companies to large established corporations like P&G, Cardinal Health, and Phillips. World-class research institutions, clinical excellence, governmental support, and finance/support infrastructure make Ohio a natural fit for biotechnology companies large and small, as well as an excellent place for researchers and students to pursue their goals.

Not only is Ohio home to several world-class research organizations, but the emphasis on collaboration and technology transfer have created a streamlined process towards commercialization. Some of the larger research institutions include the Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, Univesity of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, and Battelle. In 2003, these five organizations ranked in the top 100 funding receipients from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Batelle Memorial Research Institute is head-quartered in Columbus, Ohio and is one of the world's largest non-profit research and development organizations.

Hospitals excel in Ohio and create an ideal testing ground for research and clinical trials. The top-rated teaching hospitals also provide a well-educated work force of health care workers. In 2004, U.S. News and World Report "American's Best Hospitals" ranked The Cleveland Clinic one of the top five in the country, and the Heart Center ranked number one in the country. In the report, seventeen Ohio hospitals made the rankings. Ohio also ranks among the top 8 in the nation for total number of clinical trials.

Ohio state government takes a multi-tiered approach to helping promote biotechnology. The Department of Development has several initiatives in place including the Technology Action Fund, the Biomedical Research and Technology Transfer Commission, and the Thomas Edison Program Centers. The governor's Third Frontier Project brings funding and research, technology transfer, and enhancing research facilities. The state government also funds Omeris, a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of the bioscience industry in Ohio.

Venture capital, biotech incubators, and other support infrastructure also contribute to the nurturing atmosphere of Ohio's biotechnology community. Venture capital and angel funds invest $200 million annually in Ohio's business community. Biotech incubators such as BioEnterprise, BIO/Start, the Business Technology Center, and Ohio University's Innovation Center, support small fledging start-up companies. Legal and intellectual property firms as well as biotech-centric risk management firms also add necessary support to the biotechnology industry.

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