For the third consecutive year, the BioHealth Capital Region (BHCR), encompassing Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., has earned a Top 3 position in the highly regarded “Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters” list by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN).
Compiled annually by GEN Senior Business Editor Alex Philippidis, this national ranking evaluates five key indicators of biopharma ecosystem strength: NIH funding, venture capital, patents, lab space, and number of jobs. Despite a challenging economic environment, the BHCR continues to perform at a high level across multiple metrics. It ranks first in total biotechnology-related patents and third in both NIH funding and lab space.
While the region experienced modest declines in job numbers and venture capital funding, it continues to attract major investments and infrastructure development. Recent highlights include the opening of AstraZeneca’s $300 million cell therapy facility and MilliporeSigma’s $286 million biosafety testing site in Rockville, as well as the completion of the University of Maryland Baltimore’s 4MLK multitenant lab-office building. The upcoming Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Virginia, alongside Virginia’s $14.3 million commitment to Project VITAL, signals ongoing regional momentum.
In the article, Alex notes that “The BioHealth Capital Region stayed in third place by leading the nation in patents… and placing third in lab space and NIH funding,” even amid economic headwinds. This consistency reinforces the region’s critical role in shaping the future of biotech innovation and public health infrastructure.
Alex Philippidis, the author of the GEN rankings, will return to the BioHealth Capital Region Forum on September 23rd to share insights on this year’s list and the trends shaping U.S. biopharma clusters.
To read the full article and explore all ten regions, visit https://www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/top-10-u-s-biopharma-clusters-2025/