Life Sciences

 Lexington has leveraged the top ranked research program at the University of Kentucky, its culture of innovation and commercialization, a superior business climate, and an expansive network of medical centers to provide an environment where any market niche of the life sciences industry can grow.

In the area of direct patient care Lexington has a strong base of health care providers with six major medical centers including Central Baptist Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, and the UK Medical Center. The UK Healthcare System is an extensive network that includes three hospitals and fifteen clinics. Lexington serves as a hub serving people from all over the Bluegrass Region. Direct patient care represents a major employment industry for Lexington, which means there is a high quality stock of human capital for medical professionals.

The health care industry in Lexington is supported by a strong tie to academic programs at the University of Kentucky. UK has one of the nation’s top pharmacy programs, and ranks nationally in the number of R&D expenditures. In addition, Lexington is home to the only research and development business park in the state of Kentucky – UK’s Coldstream Research Campus. Coldstream, a 735 acre office park, was specifically designed for recruiting high-tech and biotech companies, as well as university centers and start-ups.

Lexington focuses on three segments of the life sciences industry:

• Plant and Genetic Engineering
• Medical Application Technology
• Medical Device Manufacturing