Why do so many life sciences companies call North Carolina home?
North Carolina accelerates success in the life sciences. Top talent, infrastructure, and a business-friendly climate are among the reasons why companies are choosing the Tar Heel state.
Our talent pool of 75,000 highly skilled workers are employed by our 810 life sciences companies. An additional 2,500 companies support the life sciences sector.
Our top-tier research universities, training and scientific infrastructure, and low cost of doing business, make North Carolina the right place for growing companies.
Strong, diverse life sciences cluster
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Core strengths in pharma and biopharma manufacturing, gene and cell therapy, contract research, and agricultural technology
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Ranked the nation’s fourth leading hub for biotechnology activity per Fierce Biotech
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Named the 2022 State of the Year per Business Facilities
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Named the 2022 Top State for Business per CNBC
Training Infrastructure
58
community colleges
25,657
life sciences degrees conferred 2016-2021
16
UNC campuses
36
private colleges
Scientific Infrastructure
5
medical schools
4
pharmacy schools
3
comprehensive cancer centers
2
land grant universities
1
veterinary school
International Connections
96
international companies
23
countries
2
international airports
100 million
people in a 500-mile radius
Life Sciences Industry News
bluebird bio Chooses NC for Manufacturing
Potential therapies for several rare diseases and cancers will be manufactured in Durham, according to Cambridge-based bluebird bio, which has purchased a 125,000-square foot manufacturing site.
Life Science Companies Pitch Their Wares
As CEO of Durham startup Novoclem Therapeutics, long-time pharmaceutical executive Anne Whitaker says she’s involved in a personal battle.
NCBiotech Office Hours During Hurricane Florence
With ongoing rain and flooding from Hurricane Florence, NCBiotech is making the following changes to operating hours today, Monday September 17.
- Eastern office (Greenville) closed
- Greater Charlotte office closed
- Piedmont Triad office (Winston-Salem) closed
- Southeastern office (Wilmington) closed
Many of these office teams are working off-site, conditions permitting. You can likely reach them via email. Our RTP and Western (Asheville) offices are open regular hours.
2022 TEConomy Report
The "2022 Evidence and Opportunity: Impact of Life Sciences in North Carolina" report from TEConomy Partners analyzes the impact and transformation of life sciences in North Carolina.
North Carolina's infrastructure supports life sciences companies all across the state. Some of our major advantages include:
- An ideal mid-Atlantic location
- Four international airports, including Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte Douglas airports
- Daily freight and passenger trains with 3,200 miles of railroad
- Two coastal ports, including 3 million cubic feet of cold storage space
- 90,000+ miles of highway connecting NC to all corners of the U.S.
North Carolina's Life Sciences Leaders
Our expert staff is here to answer questions or connect you with the resource that will drive your technology, project or business forward. This includes our retention program. Contact Laura Rowley at laura_rowley@ncbiotech.org.