Life Sciences

Life Sciences Bloom in North Carolina

830

Life Sciences Companies

#4

Life Sciences Hub in the Nation

2.5K

Life Sciences Degrees Conferred Annually

Medical science laboratory. Concept of virus research
Life Sciences
edpnc white and gold emblem on blue background

Johnson & Johnson Announces $2 Billion Investment for New Manufacturing Campus in Wilson County

Johnson & Johnson (J&J), a world-leading healthcare company, announced it will create 420 jobs in Wilson County. The company says it will invest more than $2 billion in a new pharmaceutical manufacturing campus for innovative biologics in the City of Wilson.

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Reckitt Will Establish Manufacturing Presence in North Carolina with $145 Million Investment in Wilson County

Reckitt, a global leader in health, hygiene and nutrition, will invest $145.59 million in a new manufacturing facility in Wilson, North Carolina, creating 289 new jobs in Wilson County. This new facility will serve as a U.S. regional manufacturing center for Reckitt.

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Japanese Medical Device Manufacturer Nipro Will Establish Presence in North Carolina with $397.8 Million Investment

Nipro Medical Corporation, a world leader in the healthcare and medical device industry, announced it will invest $397.8 million to build its first North American manufacturing center of excellence in Greenville, North Carolina, creating 232 jobs in Pitt County.

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North Carolina's biotechnology industry runs deep and wide, with specialties ranging from pharmaceutical manufacturing and health informatics to crop genetic engineering.

75K+
Life Sciences workforce
Lower cost
of business than hubs in MA or CA
30%
industry growth since 2018
700
Masters and PhDs degrees conferred annually

Unparalleled Life Sciences Network

Our 830 life sciences companies drive transformative change, particularly in pharma/biopharma manufacturing, gene and cell therapy, contract research, and agricultural technology. A network of 2,500 suppliers and support companies certainly helps.

Listen to industry leader Anthony Atala, MD explain why North Carolina has been the state with the largest growth in the biotechnology sector for the last two decades.

Dr. Atala Headshot

The Largest Research Park in North America

The Research Triangle Region hosts 600+ leading life sciences companies like Biogen, Merck, and Pfizer. It’s also home to the Research Triangle Park (RTP) and ranks #3 in funding from the National Institutes of Health.

The researchers are conducting an experiment

Training Top Talent for a Healthier Tomorrow

Our 58 community colleges and 52 universities award over 2,500 life sciences related degrees annually. Additionally, 5 medical schools, 4 pharmacy schools, and 3 comprehensive cancer centers support research initiatives and scientific infrastructure.

Happy college students studying together and laughing. Group of multiethnic friends smiling and studying from books while sitting in university library. High School young men and women studying together.

Accelerating AgTech Innovation

North Carolina’s storied agriculture industry is evolving into a dynamic cluster of agtech startups. Leading research entities like NC State University’s Plant Science Initiative and Food Innovation Lab have helped 200+ companies thrive here.

biology scientist working to research a growth plant in agriculture greenhouse, nature organic science technology or biotechnology in botany laboratory, people examining vegetable for food industry

Life Science Companies in North Carolina

A highly favorable tax structure, an incomparable research hub, and a premier higher education network all contribute to the crowning of North Carolina as one of the top states for establishing and growing a life sciences company.
Bayer logo

Bayer

Believer Meats logo

Believer Meats

Biogen logo

Biogen

BASF logo

BASF

Fujifilm Diosynth logo

Fujifilm Diosynth

Grifols logo

Grifols

GSK logo

GSK

IQVIA logo

IQVIA

LabCorp logo

LabCorp

Merck logo

Merck

Novartis logo

Novartis

Novo Nordisk logo

Novo Nordisk

Thermo fisher logo

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Pfizer logo

Pfizer

Life Sciences by the Numbers

Home to North America’s largest research park, RTP, North Carolina is at the forefront of life science innovation and advancement.

  • 01
    Life Sciences Specializations

    North Carolina specializes in the fields of research and development contract services, pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical device manufacturing, and agtech.
    Source: Lightcast 2024

  • 02
    Life Sciences Labor Availability

    Our 75K life sciences professionals offer skills in clinical research, equipment operation, chemical and biotechnology, engineering, and more.
    Source: Lightcast, 2024

  • 03
    Life Sciences Industry Growth

    Adding 13K new workers since 2018, North Carolina boasts the nation’s 3rd-largest growth rate in the life sciences sector.
    Source: Lightcast, 2024

North Carolina specializes in the fields of research and development contract services, pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical device manufacturing, and agtech.
Source: Lightcast 2024

Our 75K life sciences professionals offer skills in clinical research, equipment operation, chemical and biotechnology, engineering, and more.
Source: Lightcast, 2024

Adding 13K new workers since 2018, North Carolina boasts the nation’s 3rd-largest growth rate in the life sciences sector.
Source: Lightcast, 2024

[Fujifilm] is building for the future, both in infrastructure and in talent, as part of the vibrant North Carolina biotech hub.

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Bryn Covington

Bryn Covington

Business Development Associate