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Life Sciences -
From Discovery to Delivery

Charleston County is the fastest-growing life sciences ecosystem in the Southeast, fueled by a unique confluence of academic research, clinical expertise, and industrial scale. Anchored by the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), a premier biomedical research institution, this region supports a robust cluster of more than 320 medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and cutting-edge research laboratories, including global leaders Charles River Laboratories and SHL Medical. This is where entrepreneurial ventures, established manufacturers, and pioneering research converge to transform global health outcomes.

Life Sciences in Charleston County by the Numbers

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growth in life science establishments, in the last decade.

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the Medical University of South Carolina's 2024 research funding, placing it top in the state.

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increase in patents per capita, the 4th greatest growth in the US.

Alcami Corporation logo

Alcami Corporation

Belimed Infection Controls logo

Belimed Infection Controls

Charles River Laboratories logo

Charles River Laboratories

Dawsongroup tcs USA logo

Dawsongroup tcs USA

Leukogene Therapeutics Inc. logo

Leukogene Therapeutics, Inc.

MUSC Research logo

MUSC Research

nanobebe logo

nanobebe

Okra Medical logo

Okra Medical

Patten Seed Company logo

Patten Seed Company

Protego logo

PROTEGO

QuickSortRx logo

QuicksortRx

Royal Labs Contract Manufacturing logo

Royal Labs Contract Manufacturing

Seal Cath logo

SealCath

Vikor Scientific logo

Vikor Scientific

Testimonials

“Investing in advanced manufacturing is more than just increasing efficiency, it reflects our company’s commitment to being at the forefront of technology in a rapidly evolving environment. Automation allows us to produce our products with the greatest precision, consistency and safety. It also gives our teams the opportunity to focus on high-value work.”

Niall Power, Charleston Site Senior Director Charles River Laboratories

01 / 03

Testimonials

“Charleston is an amazing city to live and work in. I’m lucky to call this my hometown, and we couldn’t ask for a better place to grow a company. It also helps that talented people want to move here."

Jonathan Yantis, Co-Founder & CEO QuicksortRx

02 / 03

Testimonials

"I am delighted to announce SHL’s expansion into South Carolina. Our new U.S. site in North Charleston will be a state-of-the-art facility that will support our customers further with our end-to-end capabilities, providing high-quality drug delivery systems to the end users – patients around the world. This new facility brings us closer to our customers and reduces the risk of supply chain disturbances. Furthermore, it will support our sustainability goals by lessening global shipping distances. I want to acknowledge the support that we have received from the state and county levels for this project."

Ulrich Faessler, Medical Chairman & CEO SHL Medical

03 / 03

A close-up, grayscale view of a complex automated assembly line used for manufacturing medical devices.

A Specialized Talent Pipeline

Fueling Discovery with Expert Minds

From PhD researchers at MUSC to specialized technicians, Charleston County offers a workforce trained for the complexities of life sciences. Programs like the SC Bio-Craft curriculum and local collegiate partnerships ensure a steady stream of talent ready for the lab, the cleanroom, and the boardroom.

Talent & Workforce
A male researcher wearing an SHL Group lanyard focuses intently while using his hand to adjust the lens of a professional microscope in a brightly lit lab setting

Strategic Infrastructure

Global Logistics for Critical Care

Timing is everything in life sciences. Our cold-chain logistics capabilities at the Port of Charleston and temperature-controlled handling at Charleston International Airport ensure that sensitive pharmaceuticals and medical devices move from production to patient with speed and integrity.

Global Accessibility

01 / Find a Site

Use our comprehensive, GIS-enabled database to explore industrial parks, available land, and existing buildings across Charleston County. Filter by acreage, zoning, utilities, and rail access to find the perfect location.

GIS WebTech

02 / Partner with Research Leaders

Gain a competitive edge by collaborating with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). As a top-ranked research institution, MUSC offers opportunities for clinical trials, technology transfer, and joint ventures that accelerate the commercialization of new therapies.

MUSC Research

03 / A Hub for Innovation

Join a community of over 300 life science companies that call Charleston home. Our ecosystem is supported by SCBIO and localized business incubators, providing the networking and advocacy needed to scale your life sciences venture in the Southeast.

SCbio