When it comes to centers for biotech innovation and expansion, well-established locations such as Boston and South San Francisco have long dominated the field. But in the last few years, an array of other cities have emerged to stake their claim by offering government incentives, new developments, a lower cost of living and other advantages.

These regions hope to ride the wave of the life sciences industry’s increased prominence since the pandemic. That attention has helped spark a global real estate boom, with more than 35 million square feet of lab and R&D space under construction in 2024, according to a report from real estate firm CBRE last year. READ MORE