Life Sciences Demystified
What are the Life Sciences?
The life sciences are a diverse group of industries and activities with a common link – they apply knowledge to develop biological solutions that sustain, restore, and improve the quality of life for humans, plants, and animals in our world. From life-saving therapies and procedures to healthier foods and cutting-edge research, society benefits from a better quality of life because of life sciences.
This page provides a summary of each of the core life sciences subsectors as well as critical industry contributors. Visit OLS’ online database of companies, The Ohio Life Sciences Directory, to explore Ohio’s life sciences ecosystem.
Core Life Sciences Subsectors
Life sciences organizations are found within these six core subsectors: Agricultural Biotechnology, Medical & Testing Laboratories, Medical Devices & Equipment, Medical Product Distribution, Pharmaceuticals & Therapeutics, and Research & Development.
Agricultural Biotechnology applies life science knowledge, biochemistry, and biotechnologies to the processing of agricultural goods, organic chemicals as well as biofuels and bio-based materials. Examples of products include ethanol, biodiesel, bio-based polymers & chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, biodegradable materials synthesized from plant-based feedstock, sustainable industrial oils and lubricants, biocatalysts, and feed additives and ingredients.
Medical & Testing Labs provide critical analytical and medical imaging services for healthcare providers, as well as drug development and analysis work for pharmaceutical companies and research organizations. Laboratories operate throughout Ohio, many as independent facilities and others as part of national health networks.
Medical Device & Equipment manufacturers deliver a wide range of products including surgical supplies and instruments, orthopedic implants, hospital equipment, advanced diagnostic imaging systems, electromedical devices, mobility aids, laboratory equipment, and much more. Ranging from simple hand tools to highly complex, computerized devices, this sector utilizes materials and techniques that span the entire manufacturing sector.
Medical Product Distribution companies deliver finished products to healthcare providers and patients in clinical, long-term care, and residential settings. Durable medical equipment, mobility aids, respiratory equipment, medications, personal care supplies, home safety equipment, and other goods that enhance and maintain patients’ quality of life all enter the market through this sector.
Pharmaceuticals & Therapeutics represents companies developing and manufacturing medicinal, botanical, and biological products for both therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Pharmaceuticals can be found in a variety of forms, some being well-established medicines available at pharmacies in every town and others at the highly experimental stage, just entering clinical trials on their way toward regulatory approval.
Research & Development organizations in Ohio work to advance new discoveries and translate research into products, treatments, and services. This sector includes a wide range of organizations and private companies that include contract research organizations, clinical trial facilities, as well as many start-ups and entrepreneurs. Life sciences research is thriving within academic institutions and health systems, with many groundbreaking concepts being developed by teachers, physicians, and caregivers.
Critical Contributors to Life Sciences
Life sciences organizations could not operate without the support of critical contributors that provide them with talent, supplies, contract manufacturing, and specialized professional services. This ecosystem includes Digital Health Companies, Health and Medical Insurance Carriers, Healthcare Providers, Life Sciences Education Institutions, and Suppliers and Service Providers.
Digital Health companies develop software and technology to expand the capabilities of the life sciences industry, reduce health care costs, increase access to care, and improve patient outcomes. OLS has identified four categories within the digital health field as focus areas: Technology & Research, Medical Records, Patient Wellness, and Practice Management & Revenue.
Health and Medical Insurance Carriers are a critical part of the patient-provider relationship by offering plans that cover or supplement patients’ dental, health, and medical expenses. Many insurers also offer wellness programs that encourage healthy lifestyles and reduce the need for medical procedures or readmissions.
Healthcare Providers are a key component of the state’s biomedical infrastructure. While offering both routine and lifesaving care, hospitals and providers around Ohio also participate in cutting-edge research through clinical trials and laboratory investigations that enable new discoveries to benefit patients around the world. Healthcare providers also represent the end-user and customers of biomedical companies. Subsectors include Consumer Health, Extended Care, Health and Medical Insurance Carriers, Hospitals, Outpatient Care, Physicians, and Additional Health-Related Fields.
Life Sciences Education Institutions can be found throughout Ohio, providing instruction at K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. Through intensive STEM education, specialized programs, industry partnerships, and especially the involvement of dedicated teachers, student interest in life sciences continues to grow. Ohio’s educational resources, particularly STEM programs in K-12 schools and specialized degree opportunities at post-secondary institutions, offer the skill sets and academic rigor ideally suited to finding a rewarding job in life sciences.
Suppliers and Service Providers range from firms that provide key materials or ingredients to those that manufacture, assemble, package, and distribute products—including many that are ISO 13485 certified to manufacture medical devices and equipment. Service-oriented companies include firms providing first-class resources in the areas of regulatory and reimbursement consulting, preclinical and clinical assessment, product design, quality assurance, engineering, sales and marketing, legal counsel, IT services, training, and more.
Photo credit: The Ohio State University, Myriad Genetics, Enable Injections, STERIS, Forge Biologics, Cleveland FES Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, ProMedica, The MetroHealth System, Ohio University Innovation Center, Valtronic