A tobacco-to-tech transition is one part of life sciences innovation in the Carolinas.
These are exciting times in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This summer, officials will issue initial RFPs to develop Phase II of the Innovation Quarter, the 330-acre life sciences mecca that has served to transform Winston-Salem from a sleepy, tobacco town into a hub of health innovation that — with a population just north of 250,000 —has come to play in the same league with life sciences powerhouses such as Boston, San Francisco, San Diego and Philadelphia.
“Phase II is based off the success we’ve had in pivoting to the life sciences economy and the current Innovation Quarter’s real estate innovation and research growth,” says Jason Kaplan, the IQ’s associate vice president for operations. “We’re about 90% occupied right now, so we’re finding momentum and growth that we need to accommodate, which is what Phase II is all about.”
Comprising 28 acres, Phase II calls for 1 million sq. ft. of clinical, lab and office space among 2.7 million gross sq. ft. to span 10 buildings. The concept also intertwines greenspace, retail, restaurants and a projected hotel, as well as 450 residential units. While life sciences opportunities are to predominate, the lifestyle component is considered crucial.
“Convening, collaboration and talent” are the touchstones of Phase II.
Image courtesy of the Innovation Quarter
“At the end of the day,” says Isaac Perry, the Innovation Quarter’s head of biotech and life science ecosystem development, “the value proposition of Innovation Quarter is that of convening, collaboration and talent, and that will be the central theme for Phase II. The biggest thing on a lot of companies’ minds today is how do they attract and retain workers. So, we’re continuing to build out a vibrant community that attracts those workers and then the businesses behind them. That’s why they’re coming here, staying here and growing here.”
A Home for Big and Small
The Innovation Quarter, anchored by the Wake Forest University School of Medicine and its Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, is one of only nine innovation districts globally recognized by the Global Institute on Innovation Districts, highlighting its significance in advancing life sciences and health care research. The impact on the regional economy has been profound.
“Indirect and induced investment into our region as a result of the activities here in the Innovation Quarter was $1.68 billion in 2022, which is pretty tremendous in a community of our size,” says Perry. “On any given day, there’s around 4,000 employees here in the district, around 1,000 degree-seeking students and around 120 companies.”
The new Prisma Health Center for Health & Life Sciences is located at Greenville Technical College in South Carolina.
Photo courtesy of Greenville Technical College
Partners within the quarter include globally recognized businesses such as Atrium Health, Ricoh, Panasonic Health Corporation and Javara. Advocate Health oversees real estate and ecosystem growth in collaboration with Wexford Science and Technology. That said, big health isn’t necessarily the Innovation Quarter’s sweet spot.
“We have a lot of companies that may be recognizable,” says Kaplan, “but we really are a place for the startup and entrepreneurial, future innovators, future entrepreneurs, future companies that will be based here in Winston-Salem that will grow and thrive here. We think of Winston and the IQ as a place that has low barriers for entry into the innovation and commercialization realm.”
A New Door Opens in South Carolina’s Upstate
Workforce innovation is the driving force behind the new Prisma Health Center for Health & Life Sciences at Greenville Technical College. Already the largest employer of Greenville Tech graduates, Prisma Health has long partnered with the college to ensure a steady pipeline of nurses and other health professionals. Prisma operates seven hospitals across South Carolina’s Upstate region, including Prisma Health Greenville Memorial, the state’s largest.
“Prisma Health and Greenville Technical College are committed to making an impact in our community by attracting, preparing and retaining the health care workforce of the future,” said Dr. Jonathan Gleason, chief clinical officer for Prisma Health, at an August 20 ribbon cutting ceremony last year. “With the opening of the Prisma Health Center for Health & Life Sciences, the future looks even brighter. Thanks to the college’s partnership, the center will be a driving force in shaping not only our workforce but the health of our community.”
Designed by Atlanta-based architecture firm McMillan Pazdan Smith, the new three-story facility spans 137,000 sq. ft. and cost $69 million to construct, with Prisma donating $1.5 million toward the project. Cutting-edge amenities include advanced science laboratories, a mammography X-ray lab, suites for medical imaging and ultrasound and an Anatomage Lab, which enables interactive, 3D anatomy visualization as an alternative to traditional dissection of cadavers. Officials say the facility will produce up to 600 graduates annually.
The center also anticipates welcoming 150,000 visitors each year, including prospective students and industry professionals.
“This innovative new facility,” said Dr. Keith Miller, president of Greenville Technical College, “is designed so that learning is on display, inviting visitors, potential students and those who are undecided on a college major to view the education taking place.”
“This innovative new facility is designed so that learning is on display, inviting visitors, potential students and those who are undecided on a college major to view the education taking place.”
— Dr. Keith Miller, President, Greenville Technical College
The new center joins a statewide life sciences sector that encompasses 1,033 firms paying an average wage of $87,369 and has an overall annual economic impact of $25.7 billion, says SCBio, the state’s life sciences industry association. Among other recent projects to land in the state ecosystem is a 300-job, $220 million manufacturing operation from autoinjector maker SHL Medical in North Charleston. Investments still to come could include the state’s first clinical neurological and rehabilitation center for patients with brain and nervous system illnesses. It’s to be located next to the University of South Carolina’s soon-to-be-constructed School of Medicine building on its Health Sciences Campus inside the BullStreet District in state capital Columbia. The university says it is requesting $150 million from the state budget next year to help pay for the $350 million project.
