FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2025
Contact
Angela Herrera Perez, Senior Public Information Specialist
press@opportunity.lacounty.gov
LA Region Receives Nearly $24 Million in California Jobs First Funding to Drive Life Science Sector Growth and Job Creation
Los Angeles, CA –The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and partners are excited to receive $23.92 million in funding through the California Jobs First (CJF) Regional Investment Initiative (RII) to advance sustainable and equitable economic growth. This investment will catalyze the LA Region’s 5-Year Life Sciences Industry Strategy and Action Plan, a roadmap to establish the region as a global leader in bio-innovation and create 10,000 high-quality, inclusive jobs by 2030. The Life Sciences Strategy was developed and announced by DEO and 17+ cross-sector life sciences leaders in July of 2025 and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a motion directing its implementation. The CJF RII award was announced in a press release by the Governor of California and its Office of Business and Development (GO-Biz) and Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) on Friday, August 29th.
Developed through extensive industry and stakeholder engagement, the LA Region Life Sciences Strategy outlines eight recommendations to build on LA County’s core assets, including a world-class talent pipeline, powerhouse research institutions, and an extensive bench of top anchor firms, while directly confronting barriers to inclusive growth.
The $23.92 million awarded by CJF will help fund implementation of key actions, including: 1. expanding graduation space and funding for retention and growth of promising companies; 2. providing incentives for attraction of outside firms to the region; 3. strengthening the cluster’s connectivity and collaboration; and 4. develop and unite around a compelling opportunity narrative for the LA Region’s value proposition in the life sciences.
“This landmark investment positions LA County as a national leader in life sciences innovation and job creation. Life science is one of the fastest growing sectors in LA County, and this investment by California Jobs First will help build on the exciting momentum underway. By expanding the infrastructure companies need to grow here, we’re strengthening our economy, attracting and retaining major employers, and building the foundation for long-term growth right here in Los Angeles County,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second District.
“Thank you to the State of California for this landmark investment in LA County’s life sciences sector. This funding will fast-track implementation of our five-year regional strategy and action plan, driving inclusive industry growth, expanding high-quality job pathways, and building the infrastructure needed to keep cutting-edge innovation and talent right here in LA,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity. “At DEO, we are proud to partner with LAEDC, BioscienceLA, Larta Institute, and many other industry stakeholders to advance these critical projects that will help ensure economic opportunity reaches every community we serve.”
“This initiative builds a future where the life sciences sector serves as a catalyst for inclusive, high-quality jobs for the people of Los Angeles County. By anchoring leading life science companies in our region, we’re laying the foundation for an economy that is more innovative, equitable, and resilient. LA County has the talent, the research, and the infrastructure. This funding allows us to connect the dots and help life sciences companies land here, grow here, and hire here,” said Stephen Cheung, President and CEO of the LA County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC).
“Los Angeles County has every ingredient to lead the world in life sciences — research, talent, diversity, and scale. What we’ve lacked is the shared visibility and alignment to act as one region. Through California Jobs First, BioscienceLA alongside our cluster partners are delivering the Asset Map and Activation Campaign that will serve as the connective framework for the LA Bioscience Cluster. By uniting people, data, and stories, we will transform fragmentation into coordinated action — driving equitable job creation, expanding economic mobility opportunities, and positioning Los Angeles as a globally competitive, community-centered bioscience hub,” said Stephanie Hsieh, CEO, BioscienceLA.
“Larta’s Fueling Sustainable Capital project, funded through the California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative, will expand our ability to deliver vital technical assistance to more enterprises and establish a fund to provide catalytic capital to bioscience and medtech companies across LA County. Larta is proud to align the work we will conduct under this award with the work of our remarkable partners in the LA Collaborative, which the State sees as a model for regional growth and collaboration,” said Rohit Shukla Founder & CEO, Larta Institute.
The $23.92 million awarded by CJF will fund four, interconnected regional projects to advance inclusive growth and a regional goal of 10,000 high-quality jobs by 2030.
Project 1: Expand Life Sciences Infrastructure for Growth
- Award Amount: $19 million
- Lead: LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)
- Over the last decade, LA County expanded incubation space for life sciences firms, but bottlenecks have emerged at the graduation stage as growing firms lack affordable space once they complete the incubation stage. With extremely low graduation space vacancy rates, many early-stage companies leave the region for jurisdictions where this space is more readily available. This project addresses LA County’s shortage of affordable graduation-stage lab and manufacturing space through a Tenant Improvement Fund for graduation-stage life sciences companies and a Graduation and Manufacturing Space Fund to develop specialized, multitenant life sciences facilities, helping address a key constraint limiting inclusive growth in the region.
Project 2: Attracting Large Life Sciences Employers
- Award Amount: $700,000
- Lead: Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation
- This project invests $700,000 to support the attraction of 2–4 large life science companies to Los Angeles County, securing commitments for up to 1,000 new jobs and helping catalyze inclusive economic growth across the bioscience sector. This project is a critical part of the LA County Life Sciences Cluster, aligning public and private sector partners to attract anchor employers and great good jobs for all Angelenos.
Project 3: Building the Life Sciences Ecosystem: BioscienceLA Asset Map Platform and Activation Campaign
- Award Amount: $920,000
- Lead: BioscienceLA
- BioscienceLA is leading the development of the Asset Map Platform and Activation Campaign, two core tools that will transform Los Angeles’ wealth of fragmented assets into a connected, coordinated bioscience ecosystem. By combining real-time data with community-driven storytelling, these efforts provide the visibility and alignment needed to accelerate inclusive job creation, expand economic mobility, and position the Los Angeles region as a globally competitive, equity-driven bioscience hub.
Project 4: Fueling Sustainable Capital – Expansion of Heal.LA Platform
- Award Amount: $3.3 million
- Lead: Larta Institute
- The Fueling Sustainable Capital project helps to expand and enhance Larta’s existing Heal.LA platform, a proven commercialization and capital access accelerator for early-stage bioscience companies to drive their ability to grow and scale in Los Angeles County and positively impact the health and healthcare needs of our communities. This project will extend this work to more emerging companies, with funding and technical assistance to ensure that entrepreneurs creating companies and good paying jobs continue to grow in the region.
To learn more about the LA Region Life Sciences Strategy and Action Plan, visit: opportunity.lacounty.gov/lifesciences.
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About DEO: The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has a vision for a more equitable economy with thriving communities, inclusive and sustainable growth, and opportunity and mobility for all. The department, with its America’s Job Centers of California, Office of Small Business, and hundreds of programs and partners, creates quality jobs, helps small businesses and high-road employers start and grow, and builds vibrant communities and spaces. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services.