Swiss company to open life sciences support facility in North Charleston

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A supplier of steam sterilizers and parts washers for the pharmaceutical and biotech markets is one of several new companies locating or expanding operations to the Lowcountry. 

Belimed Life Science Inc., which was founded in 2019 in Switzerland, is opening a new sales and support operation in North Charleston. The company said it will invest $750,000 in a new facility at 2154 N. Center St. The location is expected to create 22 jobs for the region. 

Belimed AG’s U.S. headquarters is located on the former Navy base in North Charleston, and the company has an operations center in Palmetto Commerce Park as well.  

“As a manufacturer of products used in the manufacturing process of life-saving vaccines and drug therapies, Belimed Life Science is excited to open our first U.S. site in Charleston, South Carolina,” Belimed President Ken Blankenship said in a statement. “As the pharmaceutical and biotech industries continue to innovate for the benefit of all of us, the need for our products and services will continue to increase requiring future growth of Belimed Life Science.” 

Belimed provides sterilizers and washers for the pharmaceutical and biotech markets on a global scale. In addition, the company develops and manufactures cleaning systems for products that have to be reliably cleaned. 

“South Carolina’s growing roster of life sciences companies proves that the state has the business environment in place to meet this industry’s specific needs,” Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey said in a statement. “And, with South Carolina’s commitment to supporting research, training skilled workers and advancing supplier infrastructure, we’re an ideal location for companies like Belimed Life Science Inc. to grow and thrive.”  

This past month Charleston County welcomed several other companies, including Barzan Aeronautical LLC, a Qatari-owned, U.S.-based company that announced it would be investing $14.7 million to establish Johns Island operations. New Orleans-based restaurant Ruby Sunshine also opened in downtown Charleston.