| "There may be no other place in the world like Orlando when
it comes to life sciences, biotechnology and healthcare. Right now
there is a tremendous convergence of opportunities due to our
community's imagination and collaborative effort to bring forward a
new 'medical city' clustered around the University of Central
Florida's College of Medicine, world class medical research
operations, and equally impressive healthcare providers
concentrated on improving your quality of life. Florida’s great
agricultural heritage and an emerging energy sector combine to
create Central Florida’s 'bio' opportunity which is to feed, fuel
and heal the world. As a top international destination, Orlando is
a gateway to the world providing unparalleled connectivity in a
global economy. We are proud to say we have called Orlando our home
for more than one hundred years." |
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—Lars Houmann, FACHE
President & CEO, Florida Hospital
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Metro Orlando is poised to become one of the most advanced
industry clusters in the world for life science. In fact, the
region is one of only two locations worldwide currently
constructing an all-new 'medical city', a move serving to
differentiate Central Florida as an industry and research
leader.
Anchored by the University of Central Florida's College of
Medicine and the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute – a
premier, non-profit medical research facility focused on advances
in combating diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease –
Orlando's Lake Nona Medical City consists of:
- University of Central Florida's Burnett School of Biomedical
Sciences;
- M. D. Anderson - Orlando's Cancer Research Institute (CRI)
;
- Nemours Children’s Hospital (2012);
- Orlando VA Medical Center (2012);
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital and Medical
Simulation Center for Excellence (2012); and
- University of Florida Research and Academic Center.
This region's emerging biotechnology and life science sector
grew from a renowned regional healthcare system, comprising some of
the top hospital systems in the country – including Florida
Hospital and Orlando Health. The sector also spun off from a
prominent agricultural base and the collaborative efforts of the
region's established photonics and modeling & simulation
sectors. Clinical trials of newly-developed medications are
emerging as an important aspect of this sector as well.
Today, this Central Florida sector features:
- 150+ biotechnology and life science companies
- 9,248 workers
- Estimated $2.6 billion in earnings
The biotechnology and life science sector is further augmented
by several prestigious educational and research centers such
as:
- University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural
Sciences (IFAS); and
- Central Florida Research Park, one of the country’s top 10
research facilities.
Today, there is no limit to what we imagine possible. Wellness and
personalized medicine are areas in which Metro Orlando is working
to not only excel, but to differentiate this region as a leader –
from the lab to the bedside. |
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