Xcelience Expands Tampa Formulation Development Laboratory Headquarters

(TAMPA, FL) –Xcelience, LLC, a Tampa-based pharmaceutical company, will launch a major expansion of its formulation development headquarters at 5415 West Laurel Street, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce's Committee of One Hundred announced today.

Xcelience, working in conjunction with the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development (OTTED), Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI), and the Committee of One Hundred, will create 28 new jobs over the next three years, making it eligible for Florida's Qualified Tax Incentive program. The highly-skilled new jobs will yield average salaries meeting or exceeding 200% of the state's average annual wages.

"The laboratory is looking to the future, and preparing to expand where our customers are asking us to," said Xcelience President and CEO Derek Hennecke. "That means we'll be growing the analytical, preformulation, formulation, manufacturing and stability services we provide to our wide range of international clients. We will not be changing our quality-driven core scientific procedures."

Xcelience, with 55 employees today, has operated in the Tampa market since 1997. It was part of the much-larger MDS pharma chain, but broke off to launch the Xcelience brand in May of this year.

“I applaud the expansion of Xcelience’s state-of-the-art biopharmaceutical laboratory in Tampa. This development will provide a significant contribution to the local economy,” said Governor Jeb Bush. “Xcelience and its expanded lab headquarters facilities are an important part of the region's life sciences sector. I thank those who have helped create a business climate that nourishes the growth of companies like Xcelience.”

Added Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio; "We are thrilled that Xcelience has chosen Tampa to expand their international operations. Their decision indicates Xcelience's confidence in our city's growing biotechnology market." Xcelience's expansion and creation of high-wage jobs in Tampa is a very positive vital sign for Florida's life sciences economy," said EFI President and CEO, John Adams. "High-quality drug development firms, like Xcelience, are critical in growing successful bioscience companies and further diversifying our economy."

"We are delighted Xcelience has chosen to expand its already successful Tampa operations", said Jose Valiente, Chair of the Board of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. "Our burgeoning biotechnology cluster continues to grow everyday."

"This is another clear indication of confidence in our county's economic strength," said Jim Norman, Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Chair. "We are delighted that Xcelience has committed to expanding its business here in Hillsborough County.”