Wake County Releases Life Sciences Report, Hosts Industry Outlook Event

Wake County Economic Development released its "State of the Life Sciences Industry" report on March 24, 2026, the same day it partnered with the Greater Raleigh Chamber to convene an industry-wide forum examining where the Research Triangle's life sciences sector stands and where it needs to go.

The Life Sciences Outlook: Wake County and the Research Triangle 2026 brought together industry leaders, academic experts, and strategic partners to examine the current state and future potential of one of the nation's most vibrant life sciences ecosystems. The program ran across three linked sessions: a keynote titled "Envisioning the Future," a panel called "Understanding the Present" that formally unveiled the new report, and a fireside chat and panel segment titled "Building the Bridge."

The headline numbers framing the event are striking. Wake County sits in the heart of one of the world's largest life sciences clusters, with growth driven by unmatched access to converging technologies, top-tier research universities, and resources like the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and NC State University's Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC). According to Wake County Economic Development, that cluster encompasses over 600 companies employing more than 38,000 highly skilled workers, and Raleigh-Durham's life sciences employment has grown third-fastest among major U.S. markets over the past three years at 12.1%, trailing only Boston and San Francisco.

The keynote drew a roster with deep sector credentials. Travis McCready, JLL's Head of Industries, Leasing Advisory, was tapped as a keynote speaker; in his current role, he oversees brokerage and advisory for JLL's key global industry verticals, including Life Sciences. He was joined by Dr. Laura Rowley, vice president of life sciences economic development at NCBiotech, along with Melissa Porazzo, vice president and general manager of RTP site operations at Biogen, and Jon Keener, principal at Helix Ventures. Albert Alwang, director of business recruitment and expansion for Wake County Economic Development, moderated.

The "Understanding the Present" panel served as the formal launch point for the new report, with panelists tasked with discussing "the implications of this new definition and providing insights into the current strengths, challenges, and opportunities within the region," according to event program materials.

The final session, "Building the Bridge," featured UNC Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee H. Roberts in a fireside chat focused on the university's role in the life sciences sector, followed by a second panel of senior executives and university leaders exploring how the region can move strategically from today's landscape toward a long-term vision.

JLL launched a dedicated life sciences practice in its Raleigh-Durham office in October 2022 as the region's multi-year expansion of the sector drew international attention, and by the end of 2023 the firm had ranked Raleigh-Durham the number-one biomanufacturing market in the country. The new Wake County report arrives as that momentum continues to build, with economic development officials framing the Triangle's combination of biopharma manufacturing capacity, healthcare infrastructure, and university research as what positions the region as a nationally integrated industry cluster. The full report is available through Wake County Economic Development.