June 9, 2026

Capital Region Named #3 U.S. Biopharma Cluster for Fourth Year in a Row

The results are in and the Capital Region, comprised of Montgomery County, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, has once again been ranked the #3 top U.S. Biopharma cluster in the nation by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News’ 2026 list of the Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters. Montgomery County, which is undisputably the anchor for life sciences in the region, has had several key life sciences wins in the past year, underscoring the County’s position as a key leader in the industry.

From startups to multinational corporations, innovation in Montgomery County is thriving at every growth stage of the life sciences ecosystem. Home to more than 350 life sciences companies, top-tier higher education institutions like the Universities at Shady Grove and Montgomery College, and a highly technically skilled workforce, Montgomery County continues to attract companies seeking the talent, infrastructure, and collaborative environment needed to accelerate growth and bring groundbreaking therapies to market.

Recent investments and expansions continue to demonstrate why Montgomery County remains a top destination for life sciences companies from around the world. The County has also recently seen significant activity in the contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) sector. In one of the County’s most significant announcements of the year, Korean CDMO company Samsung Biologics acquired the former Human Genome Sciences campus in Rockville from GSK and will retain 500 jobs through the acquisition. The acquisition marks the company’s first location in the U.S., signifying the confidence global companies have in the County’s business ecosystem.

In May, Bora Pharmaceuticals, a Taiwanese company, announced plans to acquire Rockville-based MacroGenics’ manufacturing facility, expanding its North American manufacturing capabilities and contributing to the expansion of Montgomery County’s role in the global biopharmaceutical supply chain.

AstraZeneca also reaffirmed its commitment to Montgomery County last November, announcing a new state-of-the-art clinical manufacturing facility in Gaithersburg. The new facility, which is expected to be operational by 2029, will create 100 high-paying new jobs, retain 400 jobs from other locations in the county, and support 1,000 construction-related jobs. 

Homegrown companies continue to advance their work in the County and beyond. PMCDx, a precision medicine company based in the County’s Germantown Innovation Center, recently announced a strategic partnership aimed at advancing personalized cancer diagnostics and treatment solutions. The new partnership has the potential to improve patient outcomes worldwide.