Our index focuses on the top 30 markets, but there are many more developing life science hotspots. Typically centred around academic institutions, these locations offer greater cost advantages to occupiers without sacrificing access to a highly skilled workforce. As the life sciences industry faces increasing pressures related to the cost of R&D, drug pricing, regulatory changes, and broader economic factors, there is a strategic opportunity for real estate strategies to drive cost optimisation.
In the US, the leading hubs are primarily located on each coast where both talent and property remain comparatively more expensive. Smaller markets such as Houston and Atlanta offer affordable alternatives for expansion, with growing communities of research talent.
Across Europe, there are several thriving and more affordable hubs that offer rapidly growing research communities and many of the same benefits as the established locations. These include the Randstad cluster of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht in the Netherlands, Leuven in Belgium, Warsaw in Poland, and Milan in Italy, as well as the closely linked Scottish cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
India remains one of the fastest-growing life science markets in the world, with hotspots Bengaluru and Pune offering great promise. Proactive government initiatives and strong levels of financial support will likely continue to boost the industry.
Australia’s life sciences sector has also seen rapid growth in the past decade, thanks in part to its generous government tax incentives for international sponsors. Melbourne, in particular, is emerging as a biotechnology hub.
