Life Sciences

The Charleston region has emerged as a leading destination for life science and medical device manufacturing expansion by pairing deep technical talent with infrastructure built for scale. Each year, the region produces more than 3,000 healthcare graduates, supplying companies with a steady pipeline of skilled professionals across research, manufacturing, and clinical operations.

Whether it’s global employers like Charles River Laboratories and Thorne or early-stage innovators operating out of the Harbor Entrepreneur Center, businesses benefit from a collaborative environment that does more than encourage innovation — it actively supports it through partnerships, shared expertise, and accessible resources.

Logistics strength is another defining advantage. Charleston International Airport provides dedicated air cargo services that support time-sensitive shipments such as clinical trial materials, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. At the same time, the Port of Charleston, the eighth-largest container port in the United States and a rapidly emerging hub for cold chain business in the Southeast. At the same time, the Port of Charleston — the eighth-largest container port in the United States — offers temperature-controlled storage, specialized handling capabilities, and global connectivity to more than 150 countries. Together, these multimodal freight options give life science companies flexible, reliable transport solutions for both high-value and temperature-sensitive products.

Charleston also offers the physical capacity and support infrastructure life sciences companies need to grow. Businesses can access Class A office space  with integrated research and laboratory capabilities alongside sites suited for advanced manufacturing and processing. Early-stage innovators benefit from shared and subsidized lab environments through regional innovation centers, while organizations such as SCbio provide additional advantages including group purchasing programs, HR support services, and industry advocacy. Together, these resources help companies scale efficiently while reducing operational barriers in the early stages of growth.

Accessibility and cross-sector collaboration help distinguish the Charleston region from other major metropolitans. We’re a welcoming community formed at the intersection of diverse industries — where life sciences meet technology and where creatives collaborate with manufacturers to accelerate commercialization. Startups and established firms alike operate within a network intentionally structured to move ideas beyond research and into viable, market-ready solutions.

One of the most accessible entry points for emerging companies is Blue Sky Labs at the Medical University of South Carolina, a life sciences innovation space that provides leasable wet lab and office space alongside mentorship, programming, and connections to clinical expertise. In addition, the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) supports early-stage companies through research commercialization programs, investment support, and innovation infrastructure designed to accelerate growth.

The region’s research engine is driven by the Medical University of South Carolina, the state’s only academic health system. Through the Zucker Institute for Innovation Commercialization, MUSC translates internal research discoveries into new medical technologies and ventures. The institute provides specialized resources that support product development and commercialization for innovations originating within the MUSC ecosystem.

Technical assets at the Zucker Institute include:

• Three large-format 3D printers enable rapid iteration and prototyping
• Enhancement of surgical planning through 3D printing of patient-specific anatomy from MRI scans
• Cadaver lab access that supports real-world testing and anatomical modeling

Statewide leadership further strengthens regional life sciences commercialization for both startups and established companies. SCBio serves as a unifying force across academia, startups, government, and established enterprises, expanding access to capital, advocacy, and R&D infrastructure through collaboration, advocacy, and workforce development. Through SCbio DRIVE, the organization’s startup accelerator program, early-stage life sciences companies receive mentorship, commercialization guidance, and connections to investors across South Carolina.

Together with facilities such as Blue Sky Labs, the MUSC Innovation Center, and 22 WestEdge, these programs create an environment where both startups and established companies can develop, test, and scale new medical technologies.

South Carolina backs its life sciences sector with aggressive, performance-based tax incentives designed to support research, development, and advanced manufacturing growth. For companies evaluating new or expanding facilities, the state aligns long-term capital investment with meaningful tax relief for technology-intensive operations in biotechnology and related fields. The state’s single sales factor corporate tax structure further benefits manufacturers exporting products globally by basing income tax liability solely on in-state sales.

Qualified new and expanding R&D-focused companies may access a sales tax exemption when they invest at least $300 million in real or personal property at a single facility over a five-year period and create a minimum of 100 high-wage jobs within the same timeframe. This incentive is structured to reward large-scale, innovation-driven projects that anchor long-term economic impact.

The state also offers a Research and Development (R&D) tax credit equal to 5% of qualified research expenses (QREs) incurred within South Carolina. This non-refundable credit can be applied against corporate income tax, corporate license fees, or individual income tax liabilities. Unused credits may be carried forward for up to 10 years, providing flexibility for companies scaling operations or investing heavily in early-stage research.

Biomedical, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies in South Carolina also benefit from statutory tax incentives, including:

• No state property tax
• No inventory tax
• No sales tax on manufacturing machinery
• No sales tax on industrial power
• No sales tax on materials used in finished products