

What makes North Carolina a leading life sciences hub?
Our top-tier research universities, strong talent pipeline, and thriving ecosystem are moving life sciences companies forward.
North Carolina has a highly trained workforce of 70,000, a large community of 790 life sciences companies and 2,500 service providers, and a low cost of doing business, among many other competitive advantages.
Why do so many life sciences companies call North Carolina home?
Strong, diverse life sciences cluster
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Some of the biggest names in pharma, biotech, agriculture, and contract research
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Consistent top tier ranking from numerous analyses of life sciences clusters in the U.S.
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Specialization in R&D, contract research, ag, and drugs and pharmaceutical manufacturing (source: TEConomy)
Trained Workforce of Life Sciences Professionals

58
community colleges

24,581
life sciences degrees conferred 2016-2020

16
UNC campuses

36
private colleges
Superior Science

5
medical schools

4
pharmacy schools

3
cancer centers (comprehensive)

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
2020 TEConomy Report
The "2020 Evidence and Opportunity: Impact of Life Sciences in North Carolina" report from TEConomy Partners, LLC 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 major international airports Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte Douglas
- 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 US
North Carolina's Life Sciences Leaders
Our expert staff is here to answer your questions or connect you with the resource that will drive your technology, project or business forward. This includes our retention program. Contact Bill Bullock at 919-541-9366.