The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the life sciences sector to the fore. The development of vaccines in record time have made companies such as Novovax, BioNTech, and Sinovac household names. Though attention has grown in recent months, the sector has been driving innovation and discovery for decades. Record funding has flowed into the sector, with venture capital (VC) into life sciences rising by 69% last year.

This money has channelled into the leading global centres for life sciences. In this report, we identify the top 20 in the world and assess what makes them successful places to establish and grow life science businesses. These are places that bring together universities, hospitals, government and private business to generate the spark that fuels this knowledge-intensive industry.

While US cities dominate, led by Boston (a global knowledge hub and funding magnet) cities in China, the UK, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, France, Singapore, Australia and Ireland are all major players. Many offer cost advantages to occupiers without sacrificing access to skills, funding and expertise.

These cities, large and small, compete for business. Life sciences is no longer the preserve of out-of-town campuses. Vibrant urban centres are now also in demand as ‘a place to be’ in a bid to attract the best and brightest. Big tech players have entered the sector, blurring the lines between the tech and life science clusters.

The challenge for the real estate industry, meanwhile, is supplying property that meets the particular requirements of occupiers in this space. The delivery of labs, incubator and R&D space through to major headquarters will enable critical facilities to operate and grow without interruption.

Science Cities in profile

_{Read the articles within Report: Science Cities below.}