Life Sciences

The Triangle Region is home to more than 500 life science companies (approximately 75% of the state’s life sciences companies) and Durham County lies at the heart of it all. We are home to some of the most impactful and significant life sciences companies and researchers in the world. The Durham-Chapel Hill MSA was recently ranked in the top 10 nationally in utility patents per capita, and in Spring 2024, Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL) named the region the nation’s top biomanufacturing hub.

The following sectors have seen significant growth in recent years:

• Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Agricultural Biotechnology
• Medical Devices and Diagnostics
• Clinical and Contract Research Organizations
• Gene Therapy

Examples of life sciences companies that Durham County has helped recruit in recent years include: Beam Therapeutics, Catalent, Corning, Eli Lilly, GRAIL, Merck, IQVIA Laboratories, and Science.

Durham is also home to Duke University, a renown global presence in life sciences and medical research, as well as North Carolina Central University’s Julius L. Chambers Biomedical and Biotechnology Research Institute (JLC-BBRI) and the Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE). Durham is also proud to have created a landmark public-private partnership, BULLS Life Sciences Academy, that trains young life sciences talent.

Additional resources and information on life sciences within Durham can be found at: https://www.ncbiotech.org.