Philadelphia is driving one of the most exciting life sciences transformations in the United States. Its mix of research excellence, modern infrastructure and strategic connectivity has created an environment where discovery and business growth move hand in hand.
Philadelphia’s Life Sciences Landscape
Philadelphia’s life sciences sector contributes around 4.7 billion US dollars in direct economic impact and supports more than 27,000 jobs across Pennsylvania. In the wider region, over 88,000 people are employed in life sciences, with more than 5.8 million square feet of laboratory space already built or in development.
The region attracts over 1 billion US dollars annually in National Institutes of Health funding, ranking among America’s top cities for federally backed research. It has also been designated a federal Precision Medicine Tech Hub, recognising its leadership in biotechnology, advanced therapeutics and personalised medicine.
Operating costs are up to 50 per cent lower than in New York or Boston, yet the region’s location puts it within a six-hour drive of nearly 40 per cent of the US population and the country’s key financial and regulatory centres. For international companies seeking both innovation and efficiency, this combination is difficult to rival.
Innovation in Action: The Sites Leading Change
Pennovation Works
Operated by the University of Pennsylvania, Pennovation Works is a 23-acre innovation campus that connects world class research with real world application. Almost fifty companies currently operate there across bioengineering, life sciences, robotics and artificial intelligence, supported by mentoring, funding and access to university expertise.
The site offers flexible leases that suit projects of all sizes, from early research through to production, and its accelerator programme helps founders refine their business models and connect with investors. Notably, the centre is home to pioneering projects such as canine scent detection for medical and environmental research. Located on the Schuylkill River with nearby green space and excellent transport access, Pennovation offers a productive balance of creativity, collaboration and quality of life.
The Bellwether District
South of the city centre, the Bellwether District is transforming a 1,300-acre former refinery into a dual campus development for industry and innovation. The 250-acre innovation campus will deliver more than 3.5 million square feet of flexible research and manufacturing space, with the first phase, nearly half a million square feet, due for completion in 2025.
The site’s connectivity is exceptional. Located directly on the I95 corridor, it sits just four miles from both Philadelphia International Airport and the city centre, and borders PhilaPort, one of America’s busiest seaports. This combination provides direct links to domestic and international markets. The district also benefits from Keystone Opportunity Zone incentives, offering significant tax advantages for businesses that locate there. Sustainability and accessibility sit at its core, with green infrastructure, solar energy plans and waterfront redevelopment designed into its master plan.
The Philadelphia Navy Yard
A short distance away, the Philadelphia Navy Yard offers another model of successful urban regeneration. Once one of America’s oldest naval shipyards, it is now home to over 150 companies employing around 16,000 people across sectors including life sciences, manufacturing, technology and clean energy.
Managed by the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), the 1,200-acre campus features state of the art research and office facilities, residential developments and green public spaces. Its location, minutes from the airport, adjacent to I95 and within the “15-minute innovation triangle” linking the Navy Yard, University City and the airport, makes it ideal for businesses needing to move people and products quickly.
Recent expansion has focused heavily on life sciences, with the 50-acre Greenway District providing purpose-built laboratory and research space. The Navy Yard’s blend of modern facilities, efficient logistics and collaborative community make it one of the city’s most desirable addresses for innovative businesses.
University City Science Centre
For over sixty years, the University City Science Centre has anchored Philadelphia’s innovation community. It has supported more than 700 companies, including major names such as Spark Therapeutics and Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, creating over 12,000 jobs and attracting billions in investment.
The Science Centre’s programmes are tailored to every stage of growth. The Launch Lane Accelerator supports early-stage founders through mentoring and funding, while the Venture Café connects established firms to investors, researchers and potential partners. Its location between the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University provides direct access to leading talent and research expertise.
For international companies, the Science Centre offers a smooth entry point into the US market, providing workspace, guidance and introductions that make expansion far simpler and faster.
What This Means for International Businesses
Philadelphia combines research excellence, logistics and cost competitiveness in a way that few regions can match. Companies choosing to expand here benefit from:
- A highly skilled workforce drawn from more than 100 local universities and research institutions.
- Unrivalled connectivity through I95, PhilaPort and Philadelphia International Airport, offering direct access to major US and international markets.
- Affordable, flexible infrastructure with laboratory and office facilities designed for rapid growth.
- Attractive incentives, including Keystone Opportunity Zone benefits and workforce development support.
- A collaborative ecosystem where academia, industry and public agencies work together to accelerate innovation.
For international businesses, Philadelphia represents a low risk, high reward entry into the US, a city that offers scale, talent and infrastructure in equal measure.
Lessons from our recent visit
The strength of Philadelphia’s innovation ecosystem lies in its integration. Each of these sites, Pennovation, Bellwether, the Navy Yard and the Science Centre, works as part of a connected network that links research, production, distribution and people. Collaboration is more than a value here; it is built into the region’s geography and design.
From the industrial waterfront to University City’s laboratories, every element is geared towards helping new ideas become commercial realities. For international businesses looking for a US base, Philadelphia offers both the opportunity and the ecosystem to thrive.
Philadelphia has evolved into a global hub for innovation, with world class research, modern infrastructure and a forward-looking business environment. For companies seeking to establish or expand in the United States, it provides everything needed for growth: talent, connectivity and collaboration.
