LAND O’ LAKES — A new regional coalition led by Moffitt Cancer Center launched an initiative May 27 to transform Tampa Bay into one of the nation’s leading centers for radiopharmaceutical development, manufacturing and precision oncology.
The Florida Oncology and Radiopharmaceutical Growth Engine, or FORGE, is expected to produce 4,000 high-wage jobs and generate $2.6 billion in economic impact for Florida over the next decade, according to a news release. The initiative is led by Moffitt’s Speros campus and includes regional partners Embarc Collective, the University of South Florida and Pasco-Hernando State College.
“FORGE represents a transformational opportunity to position the Tampa Bay region at the forefront of one of the most promising advances in cancer care,” Josh Carpenter, president of Speros and chief integration officer, said in a statement. “By bringing together these regional partners, we are building the talent, infrastructure and innovation ecosystem needed to accelerate next-generation radiopharmaceutical therapies. This level of collaboration has the potential not only to strengthen America’s leadership in precision oncology, but to save lives for decades to come.”
Radiopharmaceuticals are considered the next frontier of precision oncology. Unlike traditional radiation therapy, the treatments are designed to find and bind to tumors, delivering targeted radiation at the cellular level. Because the isotopes begin to decay immediately, production must occur close to patients in highly controlled environments, making integrated ecosystems essential, according to the release.
The coalition aims to position Tampa Bay to evolve from a health care delivery center into a competitive innovation hub, anchored by the $600 million, 775-acre Speros campus in the Angeline community. The campus opened its outpatient treatment center in January and is set to open its Proton Center, which will house a 55-ton cyclotron accelerator that targets cancer cells while sparing surrounding tissue.
Moffitt has partnered with USF for decades. Pasco-Hernando State College offers more than 90 career programs, including applied sciences, with high-tech educational facilities across two counties. Embarc Collective, a nonprofit founded in 2019, operates a 32,000-square-foot startup hub in downtown Tampa that supports more than 135 early-stage tech startups and is ranked among the top programs in the world by UBI Global.
“Florida has an opportunity to become the national model for how economic growth, innovation and quality of life rise together by intentionally building the talent, research and industry ecosystems required for the future,” Mike Simas, president and CEO of the Florida Council of 100, said in a statement. “FORGE reflects the type of collaboration we are advancing through Ambition Accelerated to position Florida as a leader in next-generation health care and life sciences while delivering breakthrough treatments, better outcomes and greater opportunity for Floridians.”