Earlier this year, the University of North Carolina in Charlotte was one of several institutions to receive funding to advance bioscience research from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. Research projects to benefit from financial support include the administration of therapeutic microbes, innovative ways of separating carbohydrates, and the discovery of new antibacterial compounds. In addition to advancing research into therapeutic drugs and their administration, other investments are also being made to upgrade medical and healthcare institutions in Charlotte and across North Carolina, expanding the capacity for manufacturing and supporting excellence in the fields of science and medicine.Support for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacture
In 2020, an investment of over $2 billion was expected after announcements to expand capacity for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and other biological therapies in North Carolina. The development of projects backed by life science companies has continued this year and it is hoped that 2,800 jobs in biopharma manufacturing will be generated in the state over the next few years. While creating an outstanding base for the production of drug therapies, the backing of pharmaceutical companies will also lead to innovative scientific developments. However, as with any new scientific developments, these too will require further testing which is why companies like Umbrella Labs assert the importance of the testing phase.
Expansion of Medical Training
A 20 acre midtown site will soon be home to a new school of medicine which will finally put Charlotte on a list of the largest US cities offering a four-year program for medical students. This will also be the nation’s first new medical school to be built since the beginning of the pandemic and will be situated close to the Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center which itself is being upgraded. As a result of considerable investment, students will be able to access state of the art learning resources to further their medical training. As well as helping to train the next generation of doctors, it is hoped that the new and improved facilities will create opportunities for innovation and economic growth in the area.
Investment in Science Faculties
Duke University in Charlotte will be receiving a second investment of $50 million from the Duke Endowment in order to expand and recruit a new faculty for science, math, technology, engineering and medicine. The Duke Endowment was established in 1924 and since then has awarded over $4 billion to healthcare, the support of vulnerable children and higher education. It is hoped that the recruitment of leading academics across a range of scientific disciplines will lead to the expansion of research and development at the university, as well as providing students with a first-class education in science.
In North Carolina, investment in scientific institutions will not only help to further learning but will also have a positive economic and social impact through the creation of opportunities for innovative research and the expansion of pharmaceutical manufacturing.