Cape Coral, Florida

 Life Sciences Industry

Cape Coral’s Life-Science Industry Cluster is in its early development stage with tremendous potential for growth. By building ground-up regional cluster capacity Cape Coral is taking the first step to becoming a major player in the life science industry. Existing companies are engaged in biotechnology, medical device manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals.

In recent years the State of Florida has become recognized as an emerging leader in this field. BioFlorida serves as a uniting force among the academic, business, research and government sectors to accelerate the growth of the industry. Our region possesses strong potential to capitalize on already existent specialization in medical and diagnostic laboratories. There is great potential and interest in growing the Florida life science segment. 

Some of the life-science industry businesses who have grown or diversified in the city are Ecological Laboratories, Marine Concepts, and Acology Pharmacy and Compounds. Pro Med Instruments, a German medical instrument manufacturer, located their North American sales office in Cape Coral.

Currently, the most promising segment is the medical diagnostic laboratories segment, as well as medical device R&D and manufacturing. To build a dominant life science industry cluster, Cape Coral is leveraging its competitive advantages. Innovation is a critical input to this cluster, and Cape Coral has existing competencies, such as bio-ecology R&D, related to FCGU Everglades research in close proximity to the city.

Read Life Sciences Business Success Stories

Higher education institutions such as Florida Gulf Coast University are leading the way for Southwest Florida’s future growth through their biotechnology programs. Opened in 1997, FGCU has positioned itself to accelerate the growth of Life Sciences in Southwest Florida with its growing biotechnology and engineering programs.

The University’s program is one of a few Bachelor of Science degree programs in biotechnology in the U.S. Its major focus is to generate the most capable biotechnologists for the workforce – through a unique combination of scientific and research training and skill sets that enable the transition of scientific discovery to a business context. The Biotechnology Program, the FGCU College of Business and local biotechnology companies expose students to the real-world aspects of biotechnology including formal training in scientific entrepreneurship.