Life Science

One of the most significant biotech clusters in the United States, Washington offers investors, startups and industry innovators a unique environment where collaboration is the norm and bold ideas are changing the face of healthcare.

Opportunities to advance visionary ideas abound, especially in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, equipment, research, testing and medical labs. There is a growing convergence between the life science and global health sectors and artificial intelligence, cloud computing, machine learning and other technologies, which are Washington’s strengths. New devices, treatments and therapies are rapidly prototyped and introduced in a dynamic marketplace that prizes new ideas and innovations.

In-Depth

Over the years, our ideas have revolutionized medicine, from portable heart defibrillators and bone marrow transplantation to passive vaccine storage systems for use in remote parts of the world and centrally connected disposable sensors that can be used for triage. (Visit our Innovations timeline for more Life Science wonders).

Nearly $1.4 billion in federal life science funding is funneled annually into the state’s leading research institutions – the University of Washington, Washington State University, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Allen Institute and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. These research labs have been instrumental in advancing medicine on numerous fronts, including aiding in the development of vaccines to bring the pandemic under control.

One of the unique things about Washington’s life science and global health sector is that there is plenty of room for growth. Two-person startups with fresh ideas can easily explore and innovate, tapping into the region’s vast intellectual capital of researchers, scientists, doctors and graduate students.

While the Puget Sound region is a hotbed for the sector, there is a ready pool of support staff and available land for laboratory and manufacturing facilities throughout the state.

Venture capitalists and angels are always on the lookout for the next Washington State success story, such as local bio-device companies that are leveraging the state’s expertise in software, hardware and mobile platforms to create revolutionary new products to monitor and treat health issues. A good example is Xealth, a platform where clinicians can digitally order, deliver and monitor care through a single digital platform, including services such as meal delivery and transportation. The company has received more than $52 million in investments and benefits from the state’s leadership in technology, mobile apps and cloud computing.

Washington has had the distinct honor of being home to eight Nobel Prize winners in medicine, chemistry and physiology. The University of Washington is consistently ranked as one of the most innovative public universities in the nation. The UW and Washington State University have launched more than 200 startups that leveraged their excellence in research.

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Washington is redefining the world of healthcare on a global scale. Life science and international health organizations thrive in Washington because of our extensive research capabilities, highly collaborative partnerships that blur the lines between healthcare and technology, history of innovation and invention, and dedication to health and wellness worldwide, giving hope where there once was none.

One of our life science/global health experts on the right will be happy to assist you.