A biopharmaceutical company, Nanotherapeutics, Inc., will invest $122 million to expand its campus in Alachua, Florida, creating 150 jobs at its new manufacturing facility.

Headquartered in Alachua and operating in Progress Corporate Park, Nanotherapeutics began as a start-up at University of Florida’s Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator. Nanotherapeutics will integrate into a new state-of-the-art facility with flexible, single use, disposable equipment that can provide the military’s national security requirements for Medical Counter Measures.

“Florida’s life science sector continues to expand and Nanotherapeutics’ decision to stay in Alachua to expand their manufacturing facility is going to help us grow even more,” said Gray Swoope, Secretary of Commerce and president and CEO of Enterprise Florida. “They considered expanding in California, Washington DC, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina and Texas but they chose Florida. Florida has an excellent workforce, great tax benefits, the necessary resources to succeed and a great lifestyle. We will continue to promote Florida as the greatest place for business, and I am excited for Nanotherapeutics’ expansion. We look forward to their future Florida successes.”

Gov. Rick Scott said, “Florida is experiencing an incredible economic turnaround thanks to our job creators like Nanotherapeutics. Florida is committed to building up manufacturing, and because we made it a priority to remove the tax on manufacturing equipment this year, businesses can continue to expand and create jobs and opportunities for our families.”

The project was made possible thanks to strong partnerships at the state and local levels, the Governor’s Office said. Along with Enterprise Florida, Inc., Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Gainesville Council for Economic Outreach, the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity worked with Nanotherapeutics to make this expansion possible.

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad said, “The Florida Department of Transportation is pleased to partner with Gainesville to foster Nanotherapeutics expansion as a Florida-based biopharmaceutical company. FDOT’s roadway investments of more than $1 million will help the City of Alachua and Nanotherapeutics ensure that Florida’s life science industry continues to be an economic catalyst for private sector growth and job creation.”

“Nanotherapeutics’ choice to expand their future in Alachua is another chapter in the Florida turnaround story,” said Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director for the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. “This expansion is the product of a mutual vision for economic growth by local, regional, business, and government partners. Florida’s life- science industry is thriving because of our pro-growth policies. We look forward to Nanotherapeutics’ success and hope other life science businesses see the great opportunities Florida has to offer.”

“The Innovation Gainesville economic development plan clearly identifies the life sciences as a top opportunity for job growth,” said John Carlson, Principal of Charles Perry Partners, Inc. and chairman of the Council for Economic Outreach. “Nanotherapeutics’ brings that opportunity to reality and demonstrates that we are committed to growing jobs, growing companies and growing opportunities right here in Alachua County.”