Boston and the Bay Area are globally renowned life science hubs, but beyond these more well-known centers of excellence lies a dense network of states and cities with enticing and differentiated offerings for Big Pharma and biotechs alike.
Massachusetts: The Global Biotech Corridor
The birthplace of Boston Scientific, Biogen, Genzyme, Vertex and Moderna, and the preferred destination for the R&D centers of European giants such as Sanofi, EMD Serono, and Servier, Massachusetts – with state capital Boston at its heart – remains the undisputed heavyweight of global drug development.
With 18 of the top 20 global biopharma companies maintaining a significant presence here, the Commonwealth accounts for a full 15 percent of the total US pipeline and 6.5 percent of the global pipeline. Despite a more discerning biotech financing environment and an administration aiming to wrangle the pharma industry into submission, Massachusetts continues to lead by example in prioritizing life science.
– MassBio’s Vision 2030: A strategic roadmap focused on helping startups cross the “valley of death” by reducing seed-to-series-A timelines from three years to under 18 months.
– Public-Private Legacy: The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) continues to lead with the Mass Leads Act, a 2024 extension providing USD 1 billion over the next decade for infrastructure and innovation.
– Advocacy at the Forefront: Representing over 1,700 members spanning the full spectrum of the life sciences, MassBio’s mission is to advocate for the impact of the industry while vocalizing on the challenging that threaten its ability to succeed – such as adjustments in NIH funding, leadership turnover at the FDA, and policy shifts like the Inflation Reduction Act, new tariff considerations, and most-favoured-nation pricing.
“There was genuine cautious optimism coming out of the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, yet the transition to a new administration quickly brought a series of significant changes. With around 90 percent of drug candidates ultimately failing, the US model with all its imperfections, has consistently produced the most advanced medicines in the world. Our role is to ensure we continue to be a catalyst for innovation rather than a source of additional barriers.”
CEO & President
MassBio
California: Three Hubs in One
If California were a country, it would be the world’s fourth-largest economy. While best known as the globe preeminent tech hub, in 2024 alone, the state’s life sciences sector generated USD 400 billion in economic output and attracted USD 63 billion in private capital.
– Regional Diversity: The state boasts three distinct powerhouses: San Diego (the birthplace of early-stage innovation), the Bay Area (a diversified pool of talent and capital with giants like Genentech), and Los Angeles (the emerging hub of entrepreneurial energy).
– The Manufacturing Engine: Orange County has emerged as a global leader in medical device manufacturing, with 50 percent of its life sciences payroll tied to production.
– AI Frontier: California is leading the “Digital Transformation,” utilising generative AI and digital twins to shorten R&D timelines and reduce high attrition rates in drug development.
“Even in a period of economic tightening and political uncertainty, the sector continues to deliver life-changing treatments and innovations that improve lives around the world. Our role at Biocom California is to make sure that continues. That means strengthening relationships not only with our members, but also with the policymakers who need to understand the value this industry brings to patients and to society.”
CEO & President
Biocom California
BioHealth Capital Region (MD, DC, VA): The Nexus of Science and State
The BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR) has successfully transitioned from a collection of silos into the #3 ranked biopharma cluster in the US, defined by its “Capital” assets: the NIH and FDA. With its close proximity to capitol hill, BioHealth Innovation (BHI) closely monitors the pulse of policy impacting would-be international entrants.
– Innovation Intermediary: BHI acts as the bridge between federal labs and the private sector, helping over 200 companies secure non-dilutive funding with a 45 percent success rate.
– Entrepreneur-in-Residence: BHI offers a unique program which employs experienced executives to provide guidance to research spinouts and international companies across all key themes from regulatory strategy and clinical development to reimbursement and strategic partnerships.
– The “Soft Landing”: With federal agencies are now closely reviewing partnerships and investments with foreign companies to protect American companies and intellectual property, BHI specializes in helping international firms establish US subsidiaries and navigate the rigorous FDA regulatory standard.
“While some may perceive the US market as vulnerable, success rarely happens in isolation. The FDA remains the global regulatory standard and gaining US approval is essential. Beyond that, the US offers the most robust early-stage and basic research environment in the world. Regardless of public policy shifts or budget changes, the US will continue to be one of the most competitive and compelling markets.”
CEO & Founder
BioHealth Innovation
Pennsylvania: The Birthplace of Cell & Gene Therapy
Pennsylvania is the “buckle” of the pharmaceutical belt, blending a century-long heritage of manufacturing with a vital role in a future health landscape defined yb precision medicine.
– CGT Hub: Philadelphia is the undisputed cradle of Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT), rooted in the work of Dr. Carl June and Dr. Jim Wilson at UPenn. The Philadelphia region has over 70 individual labs which are focused on CGT research and more than USD one billion has been invested in the necessary advanced manufacturing capabilities.
– The “CRO Gold Rush”: A unique strength of the region is its 56+ specialized Contract Research Organizations, many founded by former big-pharma executives from J&J and GSK.
– State Support: Governor Shapiro’s USD 50 million Innovation Fund, combined with existing programs, brings Pennsylvania’s annual life sciences support to over USD 100 million.
“Philadelphia’s pharmaceutical heritage extends back more than 100 years, but we are also the site of the world’s first patient treated with personalized CRISPR therapy. We are at the epicentre of what we are calling ‘Cellicon Valley’. Nowhere else boasts such a concentration of CGT expertise in one place.”
CEO
Life Sciences PA
New Jersey: The Medicine Chest of the World
Home to eight of the top 20 global biopharma companies including Johnson & Johnson, MSD, and Bristol Myers Squibb, New Jersey stands a powerhouse of industry. Upheld by a wide scope of economic incentive programs, the state consistently accounts for 25 percent to 50 percent of all novel FDA approvals annually.
– The NOL Program: A pioneer in “exit-free” funding, New Jersey allows early-stage companies to sell their net operating losses for cash—a program that has sustained the ecosystem for 30 years.
– Strategic Infrastructure: Recent expansions by Genmab, Ferring, and the groundbreaking of Nokia Bell Labs at The HELIX in New Brunswick signal massive momentum.
– AI Integration: A new AI hub at Princeton University, supported by Microsoft and CoreWeave, is accelerating the continuum from drug discovery to the bedside.
“New Jersey offers the full spectrum of resources that life sciences companies need to succeed. Ensuring that both State and federal policymakers understand and support the life sciences industry’s profound economic and societal impact remains essential, and New Jersey has often proven supportive in that regard.”
President & CEO
BioNJ
New York: The Rising Star
New York is rapidly closing the gap with Boston and San Francisco, leveraging the world’s highest concentration of academic medical centers and a massive pool of life science PhDs.
– Public Commitment: The NYCEDC and Empire State Development (ESD) have committed over USD 1 billion to life sciences infrastructure, specifically addressing the historic shortage of wet lab “graduated space.”
– The Academic Pipeline: Unlike other hubs built by big-pharma spinouts, New York’s growth is fueled almost entirely by university research from institutions like Columbia, NYU, and Mount Sinai.
– Trial Diversity: Conducts 25 percent of all US clinical trials, offering researchers built-in access to the diverse genetic and demographic profiles required by modern regulators.
“New York graduates more PhDs in life sciences than any other state. Historically, we commercialized that IP elsewhere; today, we have the infrastructure and capital to grow those companies here.”
CEO
NewYorkBIO
Rhode Island: Small But Mighty
Located just 60 minutes from Boston, Rhode Island is positioning itself as an agile, cost-efficient alternative for translational research and medical device design. Rolling out its first government-funded biotech industry initiatives, the state is claiming its footing in New England.
– Outsized Impact: Rhode Island ranks 4th in the nation for NIH funding and is a top-10 leader in bioscience patents and medical device manufacturing.
– The Life Science Hub: A new state-backed organization launched in 2023 with USD 45 million in funding to catalyze the early-stage ecosystem.
– Ocean State Labs: A USD 10 million investment bringing the state’s first shared laboratory space to downtown Providence in early 2026, allowing startups to remain in RI rather than fleeing to Kendall Square.
“For investors seeking high-value investments, Rhode Island, presents excellent opportunities. We have the foundational science and translation offices at Brown and URI that rival Harvard and MIT; now we are building the teams and the lab space to let that science scale.”
CEO
RI Bio
