The land of recreation and Innovation Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
Orlando’s growing life sciences sector has attracted several biotech companies as the region continues to expand its healthcare network.
With Florida’s 23 million residents and Orlando’s 75 million annual visitors, the region offers a large, diverse patient population, driving demand for specialized care and patient management essential for specialty pharmaceutical companies to thrive.
Additionally, the area is home to the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and the University of Florida’s nationally ranked Pharm.D. program, further strengthening its role in medical research and pharmaceutical education.
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900+ Biotech R&D Establishments in Florida
Florida Department of Commerce, 2023
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3,650+ Jobs in the Specialty Pharma Industry
In Central Florida (7-County Region),
Lightcast (QCEW), Q1 2025 -
1,400+ Clinical Trials Initiated
ClinicalTrials.gov via SelectFlorida, 2023
Known for the companIes we keep
Featured Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals Companies
80 percent of workers in Orlando are employed outside of the leisure and hospitality industry. We’re more scientific than you might think.
aetna
CENCORA
CuraScript SD
CVS Caremark
Kroger Specialty Pharmacy
Company: Kroger Specialty Pharmacy
Industry: Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences and Healthcare
Visit WebsiteSANOFI
Company: SANOFI
Visit WebsiteWalgreens Specialty Pharmacy
Company: Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy
Industry: Pharmaceuticals
Company Size (Employees): 1000-5000
XYMOGEN
It’s a Smart world After All
Altogether more than 1,200 future pharmacists and PharmD practitioners graduate from Florida universities annually. Notably, the state’s flagship UF College of Pharmacy at the Research and Academic Center in Orlando has over 200 students enrolled.
University of Central Florida
An innovative program uses high-tech learning tools and a pioneering spirit to educate doctors and scientists in 21st century medicine.
College of Medicine, College of Nursing and College of Health Professions and Sciences
College of Pharmacy at the University of Florida (UF)
120+ full-time faculty serve in clinical, educational and research roles at campuses in Gainesville, Jacksonville and Orlando in Lake Nona.
Lake Nona campus
Seminole State College of Florida
Seminole State College is poised to meet the scientific challenges of the 21st century with its new, state-of-the-art biology labs and small class sizes.
Biological Sciences
Valencia College
The two-year Biotechnology Laboratory Sciences (A.S.) program prepares students for a specialized career in biotechnology.
Biotechnology Laboratory Sciences in Lake Nona
Orlando Health UF Health Cancer Center
The Orlando Health UF Health Cancer Center was recognized as a state-designated Cancer Center of Excellence by the Florida Department of Health.
UCF Lake Nona Cancer Center
UCF Lake Nona Cancer Center is a one-stop research and treatment center housing cancer researchers, clinical trials and treatment for patients.
AdventHealth Nicholson Center
The AdventHealth Nicholson Center, one of the largest and most experienced medical learning and simulation incubation centers, has trained more than 50,000 physicians on leading-edge clinical and surgical techniques.
University of Florida (UF) Research and Academic Center
The UF Research and Academic Center at Lake Nona is an 110,000 square foot LEED platinum certified building carrying out basic, clinical and translational research in drug discovery and development.
Orlando VA Medical Center
Orlando VA Medical Center is a general medicine and surgery teaching hospital that provides a full range of health services for Veterans, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and research.
HOME to recreation and Research & Development
While some people are busy thinking Orlando is just a tourist town, Orlando is busy leading the nation in advanced medical and life sciences research at nationally ranked R&D and innovation facilities.
Major Developments
It’s more than fun and games—serious research and development is happening here.
AdventHealth Village
AdventHealth’s Health Village is a 172-acre mixed-use transit-oriented development complete with housing and rail, life science research centers, a hospital cluster and an upcoming hub of growing new companies.
Lake Nona
Lake Nona Medical City is a premier location for medical care, research and education. Lake Nona’s cluster was built based on the proven theory that health care and life sciences facilities in close proximity to one another will accelerate innovation. Lake Nona has become home to some of the nation’s leading hospitals, universities, research institutions, and health and life sciences companies.
An Ecosystem of Support & Innovation
AdventHealth University
AdventHealth University’s Orlando campus offers hands-on learning in a real-world environment.
BioFlorida
BioFlorida is the voice of Florida’s life sciences industry, representing 8,600 establishments and research organizations in the biopharmaceuticals, medical technology, health IT and bio agriculture sectors.
GuideWell Innovation Center
GuideWell Innovation Center is home to a diverse community of startups and scaleups, and provides programs to serve health and wellness innovators.
leAD – Sports & Health Tech Accelerator
The leAD Lake Nona Sports & Health Tech Accelerator program is a joint venture between leAD Sports & Health Tech Partners, the leading sports and health tech investment platform inspired by sports industry legend Adi Dassler, and Lake Nona, an innovative living lab community in Orlando.
Orlando Health Ventures
Advances healthcare innovation by strategically investing in early stage companies and technologies that are disrupting the healthcare industry.
Connect with a Subject Matter Expert
Get in touch with Casey Evans, Vice President of Economic Development, for additional information including customized talent data and tailored space recommendations.
Call her today: 407.902.2411
Get the BioPharma Industry Brief
Download an overview of Orlando’s biotech and pharmaceutical sector.
THE ORLANDO YOU ONLY THOUGHT YOU KNEW
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News About Life Sciences & Healthcare
- Manufacturing Facility
- Research and Development Facility
- Economic Development
- Corporate Headquarters
- Medical Technology
- Expansions
- Life Sciences and Healthcare
IRadimed Expands, Adding 160 New Jobs in Orlando Region Press Release
Accenture Builds Specialized Life Sciences Consulting Capabilities in Orlando Success Story
MedTech Innovator Pioneers Future of Collaborative Healthcare
J&J Learn Builds Global Headquarters in Orlando Success Story
How AdventHealth Is Making The Most of a Healthcare Transformation
Orlando Biotechnology Company Lights the Way for the Next Generation of Drug Discovery
