Home > Business Resources > Target Industries > Life Sciences
Print Friendly
The Emergence of Life Sciences
The emerging life science industry in Lee County benefits from a unique community
that encourages innovation and fosters high wage job creation. The leading biomedical
technology sectors in Lee County include genetic testing, surgical and medical instruments
and pharmaceuticals. In addition, BioFlorida serves as a uniting force among the
academic, business, research and government sectors to accelerate the growth of
the industry. Higher education institutions such as Florida Gulf Coast University
are leading the way for Southwest Florida’s future growth through biotechnology
programs.
Read about local Biotech
Success Stories
Education
Southwest Florida’s higher education institutions are numerous. Florida Gulf Coast
University (FGCU), a dynamic and comprehensive state university is ideally situated
within two miles of I-75 and Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers.
Opened in 1997, FGCU has positioned itself to accelerate the growth of Life Sciences
in Southwest Florida, with its growing biotechnology and engineering programs, its
firm commitment to generating highly qualified graduates for the workforce and for
graduate programs, and for providing an intellectual environment to grow critical
thinking, discovery and innovation.
The University offers more than 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including
biotechnology. This Program is one of the 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, FGCU College of Business and local biotechnology
companies expose students to the real-world aspects of biotechnology including formal
training in scientific entrepreneurship.