The life sciences industry is a global force driving medical innovation and advancements in health care. From pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to medical devices and diagnostics, this sector plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life for people around the world. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, new hubs of innovation are emerging, each with its unique strengths and advantages.  Houston is a world-class region with a thriving innovation economy. With a high concentration of employment, healthy funding scene, and unwavering commitment to translational research, the Houston region has positioned itself as one of the country's fastest-growing life sciences ecosystems - ranking #13 in a 2022 CBRE industry study. Bright scientific minds, entrepreneurial drive and an active investment community gives companies fertile ground for disruptive innovation in biotech and life sciences.  The Texas Medical Center (TMC), the world's largest medical district, offers companies a unique opportunity to collaborate and implement technology in one of the largest healthcare ecosystems. TMC and the variety of research institutions and innovative companies who operate in Houston are taking on the greatest medical challenges of our generation.  Houston is home to over 700 life sciences companies, making it a top-15 market for life sciences employment nationwide and first in Texas. This robust and diverse workforce, coupled with an extensive education infrastructure and world-class research institutions, makes Houston a prime location to support growth across key subsectors like cell and gene therapy manufacturing, molecular diagnostics, and biologics drug development and manufacturing.  In addition to established companies, Houston has a vibrant startup ecosystem that provides support and resources for early-stage companies. The city has several startup incubators and accelerators, including TMCx, which is located within the Texas Medical Center and provides startups with access to mentors, funding, and other resources. TMCx has hosted over 300 companies with over $5.8 billion raised. Additionally, Houston has a strong network of angel investors and venture capitalists that are actively seeking out innovative life sciences companies to invest in.  With the densest patient population in the world, Houston allows for transformational clinical applications. The region ranks second in the nation in clinical trial volume, with 4,906 active clinical trials in 2022, representing over 20 percent of all active U.S. trials. Companies located in Houston can also leverage unique funding programs. In 2022, National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded 1,752 grants totaling $961 million represented for Houston. The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) has also committed $6 billion in funding for groundbreaking cancer research, prevention and product development programs for companies located in Texas. Since its inception in 2009, CPRIT has awarded more than $3 billion in grants for cancer research, of which MD Anderson has received approximately 20 percent.  Houston also has a growing number of life sciences developments that encourage innovation and collaboration between industry partners. Generation Park, a 4,200-acre master-planned development, is creating a thriving ecosystem for companies to grow and provides a place where education and industry can converge. It will be the home of the San Jacinto Biotechnology Center, a biomanufacturing workforce institute that will offer certificate coursework in bioprocessing to students as part of a strategic partnership with the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT). TMC Helix Park is another life sciences development that will provide 6 million square feet of research labs, retail, hotel, and large scale commercialization space, in addition to TMC3, a collaborative research building with four founding institutions. According to the Real Deal, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center plans to build a $668 million laboratory expansion that will connect to TMC Helix Park. Construction is expected to begin in September, with completion estimated in late 2027. Levit Green is a 53-acre mixed-use life sciences district under construction near Texas Medical Center that is expected to be completed this year. The initial five-story building will create 294,000 square feet of space overlooking a plaza and a man-made lake. Texas A&M Innovation Plaza located in the Texas Medical Center is expected to be completed in 2024. Consisting of research facilities, affordable student housing, office space, retail space and parking, the Innovation Plaza will be home to the Texas A&M Engineering Medicine (EnMed) program and provide student housing for the Prairie View A&M University’s College of Nursing. This project is part of Houston's ongoing investment in programs that will grow the talent pipeline and prepare its future workforce. The Partnership’s economic development team will be attending BIO International in Boston from June 5-8th to spotlight the region’s thriving life sciences ecosystem and its unique opportunities for innovation and growth.

The Texas Medical Center plans to expand by building a new biomanufacturing facility, TMC BioPort, that aims to further advance Houston’s life sciences ecosystem. Bill McKeon, President and CEO of TMC, shared the announcement during the Partnership’s annual State of the Texas Medical Center event this week.  “TMC BioPort will be the home of our biomanufacturing. This will be a new 500-acre campus and we are still in the due diligence phase. We believe this alone will add another 100,000 jobs,” McKeon said.  In addition to serving as the primary biomanufacturing and medical supplies distribution engine, BioPort will offer an on-site upskill training center. McKeon said the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the importance of having manufacturing facilities like the BioPort in the region. The new campus is expected to create over 100,000 new jobs as the region works to meet the increased demand for biomanufacturing capacities. McKeon added the new campus will double the size of TMC in roughly five years.  McKeon also announced that TMC Innovation Factory Labs will open in the first quarter of 2023 at the TMC Innovation campus, which opened in 2015 in the former Nabisco Cookie Factory.  TMC Helix Park, formerly known as TMC3, will serve as the anchor of the multiple districts. Phase one of the 37-acre life science campus is slated for completion in 2023. McKeon said Helix Park will encourage collaboration among industry, academia and entrepreneurs through more than six million square feet of developed space as well as nearly 19 acres of green space. The TMC3 Collaborative Building, the first multi-institutional research facility in TMC’s history, is expected to finish next year. The project is expected to  add 27,000 jobs to the area.  TMC and its 61 institutions are consistently attracting recognition nationwide as some of the top hospitals and universities, contributing to Houston’s rising position at the forefront of advancing life sciences. Houston ranks as No. 2 in the U.S. by CBRE for the top emerging life science clusters.   “I know the Texas Medical Center will continue to thrive not only as an economic powerhouse for the region but will spearhead accelerating Houston as a global leader in life sciences and health care,” said the Partnership’s President and CEO Bob Harvey.   Read more about Houston’s life sciences industry.