Research Triangle Park (RTP) in North Carolina has emerged as the fourth foremost biotech hub in the United States, according to Fierce Biotech, a digital publication specializing in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. This distinction places RTP just behind the biotech powerhouses of Boston, San Francisco, and San Diego.

CBRE Research, a firm with expertise in real estate market analysis, has noted a significant increase in the demand for lab space and ongoing construction of lab facilities in RTP. This trend underscores the region’s growing prominence in the biotech sector.

RTP may not match the sheer scale or reputation of the top three hubs, but it has carved out a niche as a research and development sanctuary situated between Raleigh and Durham. Annalee Armstrong, the author of the Fierce Biotech article, emphasizes RTP’s unique contribution to the national biotech landscape.

The park is at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation, with Novartis recently obtaining authorization to start production of Zolgensma, a pioneering gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy, at their 170,000-square-foot facility.

The commercial vigor extends beyond RTP’s boundaries, with Morrisville hosting new manufacturing sites for Enzyvant, a leader in regenerative medicine, and Kriya Therapeutics, a gene therapy innovator.

The broader Research Triangle area, encompassing Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, boasts approximately 10.6 million square feet of commercial bioscience lab space. It holds the third rank in research funding from the National Institutes of Health and is a key player in biologics manufacturing.

North Carolina’s robust life sciences community, comprising 790 life sciences companies and 2,500 related service providers, stands as a global powerhouse.

Industry giants like Biogen, Novartis, Pfizer, and others maintain a presence in RTP, and the area is a hotbed for emerging biotech firms bearing the NC ZIP code.

Laura Rowley, Ph.D., Vice President of Life Science Economic Development at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, notes the comprehensive scientific expertise and innovation across the Triangle. This ecosystem provides a competitive edge for companies at various development stages.

RTP’s supportive environment fosters company growth from inception to commercialization. The recognition by Fierce Biotech and the findings of CBRE Research affirm RTP’s status as one of the premier biotech hubs in the nation.