COVID-19 test manufacturer to open $104 million operation in North Charleston

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A health and medical technology company that produces rapid COVID-19 antibody and antigen test kits is investing more than $104.6 million to establish operations in North Charleston and create more than 400 jobs.

Founded in 2019, Vigilent Labs provides solutions to identify, detect and assess health and bio-threats. The company currently partners with SeroClinix and Leinco to produce Food and Drug Administration-approved and emergency use authorized test kits that a can produce accurate results in 10 minutes or less.

“Vigilent Labs is committed to providing next-generation solutions to address current and future biological threats, and their announcement to establish operations in North Charleston is a win for our community,” Charleston County Economic Development Executive Director Steve Dykes said. “This is important work and supports a promising future for Charleston County in the technology and life sciences sectors.”

The company expects to begin production in December in its new COVID-19 test manufacturing facility, located at 1105 Truxton Ave., Building 74, in North Charleston.

“This new facility will specialize in state-of-the-art health and bio-threat testing, screening technologies and products that will help address the expanding need for reliable and accurate COVID-19 testing to confront this pandemic,” Vigilent Labs President John Falk said. “The sovernor, secretary of commerce, Charleston County and their teams truly went above and beyond the call of duty to welcome us, attract us and support us, and we are so proud to claim South Carolina as home.”

Vigilent Labs’ operations on the Charleston Navy Yard also will serve as the company’s headquarters, a choice which Charleston County Council Chairman Elliott Summey said is a nod to not only the region’s talent but the community’s ability to compete in the life and science sector,

To assist with costs related to this project, the Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded a $1 million Set-Aside grant to Charleston County.

“Companies like Vigilent Labs continue to come to our state and invest in our people because of all that South Carolina has to offer,” Gov. Henry McMaster said.

Vigilent Labs is working with readySC to assist in recruiting and training prospective employees.