Life sciences company expands production of COVID-19 tests

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A life sciences company that assembles and distributes COVID-19 testing kits nationwide is expanding its downtown Charleston operations to get ahead of orders.

Vikor Scientific LLC will invest $1 million in an expansion that is expected to create 148 jobs. The company, located at 22 Westedge St. in Charleston, also specializes in full molecular panel testing kits.

"The prior backorder of testing supplies was crippling for the U.S. during the beginning of the pandemic, and no one wants to experience that again,” Vikor Scientific Co-Founder Shea Harrelson said. “This expansion will help us to continue to stay ahead and increase the production of our testing kits for both COVID and our other infectious disease molecular panels by the hundreds of thousands, which is vital as we enter the sick season.”

As the region continues to battle the coronavirus, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg remarked on the work Vikor Scientific has done to keep the community healthy.

"As we continue to respond to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the remarkable work of companies like Vikor Scientific has proven critical to keeping our citizens healthy and safe,” he said. “Not only will this expansion create 148 new jobs in Charleston, but it will increase our ability to provide COVID-19 tests to those who need them throughout the state and across the country.”

Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt and Charleston County Council Chairman Elliott Summey both acknowledged the region’s hard work in providing businesses a supportive environment for innovation, particularly for the life sciences industry.

"Vikor Scientific LLC's decision to expand in Charleston County is an indication that we are doing it right, and we look forward to supporting this great company every step of the way," Hitt said.