Life sciences gets play

The statewide association for the bioscience industry, BioFlorida, plans to add some beakers, and members, in the Sarasota-Bradenton market.

The West Palm Beach-based organization, with seven chapters statewide, has held two well-attended meetings in the region this year and a third is scheduled for June. Part of the reason for the expansion is the growth in area companies, investors and economic development officials interested in bioscience.

“Some very respected players in this industry are coming to the area,” says Michael Van Butsel, a DPR Construction executive and the Sarasota-Bradenton BioFlorida Chapter Business Chair. “They are starting to talk it up.”