Industry Cluster: Life Sciences
DEO invests in industry clusters across high-growth and high-opportunity industries to drive innovation, inclusive growth, and global competitiveness. Industry clusters include dynamic cross-sector partners, including public, private, social, educational, and philanthropic organizations, committed to collaboratively unlocking the full economic potential of the local region, including maximum community benefit.
About the Life Sciences Industry Cluster
DEO is leading an industry strategy to position the LA County region as a global hub for Life Science innovation while ensuring that growth directly benefits local communities.
This strategy builds on the County’s unparalleled assets, including world-class education and research institutions, hospitals and healthcare providers, diverse workforce, robust funding opportunities, global connectivity, and high-demand for biotech and medical innovation.
Leader in Talent Development
Los Angeles County produces >8,700 life sciences graduates annually, 35%more than peer regions in the United States. Additionally, 64% of life sciences jobs do not require a bachelors degree.
World Class Early-Stage Assets
>$1.7BN in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, and ranking 2nd in absolute number of life sciences patents produced.
Vibrant Local Life Sciences Industry
Los Angeles County has >3,000 life sciences companies, more than any peer regions, with top anchor firms like Amgen, Kite, Takeda and Grifols.
It also builds on long-time commitment of the County Board of Supervisors to a vibrant Life Sciences ecosystem, including $26.2M in investment and 15 acres of land to Lundquist Institute since issuing the Battelle Report in 2014.
Life Sciences Industry Cluster Strategy
Los Angeles County is a powerhouse of talent and research and has made strides in growing the life sciences incubator ecosystem from 1 to 9 since 2014 yet has lagged in translating assets into commercial successes and local, high-quality jobs. This strategy directly confronts these challenges by building a thriving, inclusive bioeconomy that aims to create over 10,000 high-quality life sciences jobs by 2030 and establish LA County as a recognized life sciences hub.
DEO’s newly adopted Life Sciences Industry Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2030) is a five-year roadmap to achieve these goals. Developed with input from the community and industry, the plan outlines how LA County will expand life science business activity, grow startup space, strengthen education and training pipelines, and ensure that investments translate into real community benefits.
Life Sciences Industry Cluster Strategy Implementation
In response to the Strategic & Action Plan and as part of its commitment to inclusive economic growth, DEO is developing new tools and resources to support startups and scaling companies in the life sciences industry. The Life Sciences Industry Cluster is committed to:
- Increasing startup retention through planned access to low-interest loans and technical assistance
- Streamlining zoning and permitting processes for life sciences development in unincorporated communities
- Establishing multi-tenant “graduation space” to help startups scale and stay in LA County
- Better linking workforce offerings to industry needs and connecting underrepresented talent with training and job opportunities
- Navigation support for firms looking to build and grow in LA County
These programs are currently under development and will be rolled out as part of the Life Sciences Industry Strategy and Action Plan.
Life Sciences Industry Cluster Partners
In the News
Press Release: LA County DEO Launches 5-Year Life Science Industry Strategy, Setting Trajectory for 10,000 High Quality Jobs and Greater LA Region as a Global Life Sciences Hub
Press Release: L.A. County Announces Newly Created Life Sciences Liaison for Unincorporated Communities
Related Policy/Motions
Motion: Expanding the Life Sciences Industry While Creating Equitable, High-Road Career
Opportunities for our Local Communities
Motion: Implementing Strategies and Action Plan for Equitable Development and Growth of
Life Sciences in Los Angeles County
Support for Life Sciences Businesses
For Life Sciences companies looking for DEO or Industry Cluster support to move to or stay in LA County, please contact: Kevin Anderson at kanderson@opportunity.lacounty.gov
For LA County permits and opportunities to expedite review and approval, please contact: Melissa Reyes, LA County’s Life Sciences Ombudsperson at the LA County Department of Regional Planning (DRP) at mreyes@planning.lacounty.gov.
