Washington state’s life science sector is booming. In the last decade, the industry has evolved into a top 10 life science hub in the United States.
Washington’s life science cluster has grown differently than other states. With a range of world-class research institutions, a strong entrepreneurial environment, and limited state incentives to attract companies, Washington’s life science industry is homegrown. Most of Washington’s leading companies started out as local startups or spinouts from the state’s universities and research institutes.
This success isn’t by accident. To fuel the $38.8 billion industry’s growth, Washington state has invested in a number of innovative life science initiatives over the past two decades. Two recent initiatives that are having an outsized impact are: Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE) Fund and the Washington Innovation Network (WIN) mentorship program. Together, these programs ensure the state continues to lead the charge on cancer research while making sure that our local scientists and entrepreneurs have the support they need to build companies that can transform that research into life-saving innovations for patients.