The BioHealth Capital Region, covering Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C., ranked as the nation’s third-largest biomedical and pharmaceutical cluster, according to Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News’ annual list of top U.S. Biopharma regions. 

Despite challenges like federal funding cuts and workforce reductions at agencies such as the FDA and NIH, the region remains resilient, continuing to attract leading companies and institutions. Its competitiveness reflects decades of scientific excellence. The region’s third-place ranking is backed by strong performance across key biotech metrics. It leads the U.S. in patent production with 79,141 patent families in biotechnology, demonstrating groundbreaking research.

The BioHealth Capital Region ranked third in laboratory space, with 36.8 million square feet of cutting-edge facilities, including the NIH’s 9.2 million square feet in Bethesda. This infrastructure drives innovation and scientific progress. With 4,806 awards worth $3.639 billion in NIH funding, the area ranked third, underscoring confidence in its research capabilities despite budget pressures.

Activity in the Biotech Corridor including AstraZeneca’s $300 million cell therapy manufacturing facility and MilliporeSigma’s $286 million biosafety testing facility have added hundreds of high-paying jobs, cementing the region as a global hub for next-generation therapeutics.

Read the full list of 2025 Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters at www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/top-10-u-s-biopharma-clusters-2025/