As the United States biotechnology market continues its steady growth, four factors are driving this industry expansion. Higher nationwide medication demand, coupled with technological advancements, have spurred many biotech firms to embark on research and drug development programs. Pharmaceutical firms’ higher biotech investments, along with government initiatives, have contributed to the biotech industry’s continued growth.
In August 2024, respected industry research firm IBIS World reported on United States biotechnology business demographics. In 2023, the United States recorded 2,363 biotechnology businesses in operation. From 2018 to 2023, biotech business numbers increased by five percent annually (on average).
California, Massachusetts, and Maryland respectively rank as the top three states with active biotech businesses. Leen Kawas profiled the top five United States biotech hubs along with three candidates that merit honorable mentions.
Leen Kawas’ Enriching Biotech Industry Experiences
Biotech industry expert Leen Kawas is Propel Bio Partners’ Managing General Partner. Headquartered in Los Angeles, this biotech-focused venture capital business assists start-up and early-stage biotechs requiring financial, technical, and operational guidance. Although receptive to every pitch, Leen Kawas particularly appreciates interest from female and minority founders.
Prior to her Propel Bio Partners role, Leen Kawas served as biotech Athira’s Chief Executive Officer (or CEO). During her time at the firm, she managed several complex drug development cycles. Leen Kawas also directed Athira’s successful initial public offering (or IPO) in September 2020.
These diverse experiences have given Leen Kawas a big-picture view of the United States’ biotechnology industry. Here, she highlighted five markets that have become well-known biotech hubs (plus three notable biotech centers).
Top 5 United States Biotech Hubs in 2024
As the United States biotechnology industry continues to evolve, Leen Kawas noted that more investment dollars and human capital resources are congregating in certain geographic regions. An impressive biotechnology business base, acclaimed universities, respected healthcare systems, and well-funded endowments together create a breeding ground for innovative ventures.
Boston/Cambridge, MA
The Boston/Cambridge, Massachusetts region is the globe’s top life sciences hub. In addition to pre-zoned biotech science parks, this metro area is home to pre-structured biotech business sites and biotech incubators. More than 1,000 biotechnology companies are located in this expansive region.
The Boston/Cambridge area is known for its technology-focused educational institutions (such as MIT and Harvard). Not coincidentally, Massachusetts boasts the United States’ highest-educated workforce. Together, these attributes provide the region with top-tier business and research capabilities.
In 2024, the Boston/Cambridge biotech hub ranks first in National Institutes of Health and venture capital funding. The region also dominates the United States’ lab space rankings. Equally important, this metro area has the highest number of biopharmaceutical job opportunities in the United States.
San Francisco Bay Region
The expansive San Francisco Bay area is known for its innovation potential and readily available financial resources. This region contains multiple large life sciences firms along with a respectable number of biotech startups. The San Francisco Bay region also hosts well-known technology-focused universities and numerous research centers.
San Francisco Bay biotech firms obtain much of their investment dollars from venture capital firms such as Leen Kawas’ Propel Bio Partners. Varied entrepreneurship programs represent another funding source.
Like much of the biotech industry, San Francisco Bay area biotechs were affected by layoffs in 2023. That said, several large biotech research facilities are currently expressing interest in establishing a strong regional presence in this hub.
BioHealth Capital Region (includes Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC)
Known as the BioCapital™ community, this region contains the second-highest number of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device businesses of the major United States hubs. Multiple large biotechnology companies are building research and/or manufacturing facilities in the BioCapital™ region. This area also ranks in the top five for NIH funding, lab space, and patents.
Biotechnology employers likely have a ready supply of well-educated technical talent. Maryland’s Johns Hopkins University offers multiple technology-related programs. The world-class Johns Hopkins Hospital, affiliated with the university, is known for its wide-ranging research capabilities.
Leen Kawas said several highly regarded Virginia colleges and universities offer life sciences and biotechnology degrees. Regional biotech employers clearly value these graduates’ capabilities.
New York/New Jersey
The aggregate New York/New Jersey region is becoming a well-known life sciences hub. Since 2016, New York City has been engaged in a collaborative effort to establish the city as a major life sciences research hub. In addition, 14,000 life sciences professionals currently live in the New York City metro area. Major life sciences firms, along with a growing number of startups, have carved out a presence in adjacent New Jersey.
Together, New York and New Jersey boast top five rankings for jobs, lab space, NIH funding, and patents. The region also enjoys a favorable investment environment. Biotech startups find substantial venture capital infusions especially helpful.
Finally, New Jersey boasts multiple highly ranked universities, a potentially desirable resource for growing biotech businesses. Numerous research institutions are well-positioned to serve the region’s life sciences companies.
San Diego Metro Region
Sunny San Diego, part of the “Biotech Beach” region, continues to attract new and expanding biotech companies. For perspective, during the last five years, San Diego’s life sciences industry has expanded by 20 percent (faster than the area’s aggregate private employment). Several area cities have received recognition for their biotech business concentrations.
San Diego ranks in the top five in several key categories. The region is well positioned relative to lab space and patents. Additionally, the San Diego market has an especially strong pool of high-level research talent.
In 2023, the San Diego region saw impressive venture capital investment in biotechnology and medical devices. In fact, the year saw bigger cash infusions than the pre-pandemic historical averages. Larger investments were targeted to fewer companies, matching industry-wide trends. Leen Kawas is extensively familiar with the San Diego venture capital funding landscape.
Three Biotech Hubs to Keep on the Radar
Biotech companies thrive in multiple United States cities and regions. Leen Kawas noted three impressive biotech hubs that complement the top five candidates.
- Chicago, Illinois: The city has a strong biotech startup community with robust venture capital investments.
- Research Triangle, North Carolina: The tri-city region boasts more than 700 bioscience firms, strong research and development activity, and substantial venture capital investment.
- Seattle, Washington: This metro area is a major biotech player that often receives substantial venture capital investments.
Although United States biotechnology businesses face ongoing challenges, they are recognized for their potential to provide breakthrough drugs and other beneficial medical therapies. As biotech hubs continue to attract new market players, Leen Kawas is confident the entire industry will remain on a positive upward trajectory.