How does Ohio Life Sciences support the state's life sciences industry?

The Ohio Life Sciences Association (OLS) is Ohio’s industry association, representing 4,900 life science establishments and we focus on growing the market by ensuring our companies have the talent, funding, infrastructure, and business friendly policy they need to thrive. 

How is OLS helping address the talent gap?

The life sciences industry is growing fast in Ohio. Our recent industry study shows 13% growth compared to 1% in all other industries. In response to this, we have secured new investments from the state government to launch new programs like BioPathways, which are focused on helping young students figure out how to navigate opportunities within the life sciences industry. We have also helped fund pharmaceutical manufacturing and biotech bootcamps at our community colleges around the state. We have also launched a new career matchmaking service, which is helping employers find quality candidates for new opportunities at their firms. Simultaneously our research institutions—places like the Ohio State University, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and Cincinnati Children’s—are continuing to bring in more STEM focused students and researchers. Nationwide Children’s Hospital for example developed two of the first eight FDA-approved gene therapies: One for spinal muscular atrophy (Zolgensma) and one for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Elevidys). This work has drawn companies like Sarepta Therapeutics to relocate their R&D center of excellence from Boston to Columbus, recognizing the wealth of gene and cell therapy talent here.

How would you assess the innovation landscape in Ohio?

We have attracted over US$1 billion in NIH funding. Cincinnati Children’s is ranked as the top children’s hospital in the country, and Nationwide Children’s is ranked sixth. The Ohio Discovery Corridor, stretching from Cincinnati to Columbus to Cleveland, is a unique concentration of research expertise. When combining the expertise, capabilities, and assets across these three cities, Ohio is competitive with the top biotech hubs in the country. JobsOhio, our privatized economic development organization, allows for faster responses in attracting and incentivizing businesses compared to other states. Ohio offers a low cost of doing business, including lower taxes and living costs. 

Can you outline a few economic impacts of the life sciences sector on Ohio?

The pharmaceutical manufacturing sector alone created 3,000 new jobs in the past two years. The industry directly employs over 60,000 people. More than 200,000 jobs are connected to the state’s life sciences industry, generating US$2.2 billion in tax revenue. The industry offers high-paying positions with an average salary of US$105,000, which is 67% above the state’s private sector average. 

How is OLS supporting biotechs during the capital drought?

I have heard everything from "biotech nuclear winter" to "biotech is in the penalty box." However, there is a lot of patient capital ready to be invested. Through Ohio Third Frontier, we have a network of entrepreneurial support programs with funds available for pre-seed and seed investments. Efforts are also underway to create a Series A fund. The US$500 million O.H.I.O fund has launched and will be announcing its first biotech investment soon. JobsOhio has also made a nine-figure investment to attract health and life sciences companies so our challenge will be to match that level of investment in biotech capital.

What is your outlook on the life sciences industry and OLS’ role in that?

Ohio is increasingly competitive in attracting larger, well-known life science brands, plus our institutions continue to spin out new biotech companies; people across the country are starting to notice. Examples like Amgen investing in Ohio to build one of its most sophisticated facilities and Canon Healthcare establishing its headquarters in Cleveland are becoming more common. The Ohio Discovery Corridor connects our three-life science themed innovation districts, seeded with a US$100 million investment from JobsOhio, with institutions contributing even more funding. In 2025, we will open a life science industry hub and training center in Columbus. Our momentum is strong.

Our goal is to advocate for more resources for the industry. We aim to activate our resource development programs, such as BioPathways and a new career portal that will vet candidates and match them with life science companies. OLS will be aggressive in our efforts to drive attention and resources toward the industry.