Central Ohio bioscience sector reports rapid growth as companies point to talent, low costs and new manufacturing capacity

A panel of industry and research leaders at a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum on bioscience innovation said Central Ohio has rapidly grown into a life‑sciences hub, drawing companies, skilled workers and manufacturing capacity to the region.

The forum, titled “Bioscience Breakthroughs are Saving Lives in Central Ohio,” included executives from Sarepta Therapeutics, Forge Biologics, Drive Capital, Lintex, JobsOhio and other local institutions.

“I'm happy to come, but I'm staying in Columbus and I want to build our research lab here,” said Dr. Louise Rodino Claypack, executive vice president, head of research and development and chief scientific officer at Sarepta Therapeutics. “Fast forward 7 years later, we have almost 200,000 square feet in the Eastern area, over 200 employees.”

Why it matters: panelists said regional strength is producing high‑tech jobs, patient treatments and companies that can scale manufacturing. Panelists credited a local talent pipeline — including graduates from Ohio State and Nationwide Children's Hospital research — and lower operating costs compared with coastal hubs.

Sarepta executives described local scale. “I lead R and D, which is almost 600 employees of our 1,400 employees at Sarepta,” Rodino Claypack said, noting the company's global reach alongside a substantial Columbus workforce.

Forge Biologics has also expanded locally. “Over the last 5 years we've increased size of the team to over 370 people,” said Frank Obobo, vice president of process development at Forge Biologics, who described the company’s work on process development and GMP manufacturing for adeno‑associated virus (AAV) gene therapies.

Arandi de Silva, an investment partner at Drive Capital who helped seed Forge, said the two companies alone account for “over 700 employees” in the region since Drive Capital’s early investments. Drive Capital noted it manages substantial capital and a broad portfolio of companies, which panelists said helps attract follow‑on investment.

Panelists also pointed to recent corporate investment into the region. Aruno (sic) Ajinomoto’s acquisition of Forge Biologics in late 2023 was cited as an example of strategic, long‑term investment that can anchor manufacturing jobs and expertise locally.

Panelists urged more regional brand building and coordination. “We continue to be the market's best kept secret,” said Tyler Alchin, managing director for healthcare at JobsOhio, referring to the Ohio Discovery Corridor effort to raise the region’s profile for life‑sciences investment.

The forum included audience questions about tariffs, workforce and how to attract large firms. Panelists said so far tariffs had not materially affected early‑stage development for their firms because supply chains for many materials are U.S.‑based but cautioned that risks exist.

Looking ahead, panelists emphasized that continued growth will depend on maintaining the talent pipeline, expanding lab and manufacturing space, and telling the region’s story to investors and corporate partners.

Less critical details: panelists encouraged students to pursue internships and mentorships and highlighted a need to further publicize Ohio’s strengths to attract more coastal investment.