Home to renowned universities and research institutions, life-changing breakthroughs, and a highly-skilled talent pool, San Diego is a global leader in innovation and a pillar of California’s world-leading life sciences sector. Kicking off BIO 2026, San Diego Regional EDC and World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) hosted our second biennial Invest in San Diego Breakfast spotlighting our region’s world-class life sciences ecosystem.
In partnership with the California Governor’s Office for Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), IQHQ, and San Diego County Water Authority, with support from ITJ and Biocom, we welcomed more than 200 attendees representing international delegations including Japan, Singapore, the UK, Australia, Denmark, and South Korea. Alongside stunning waterfront views at IQHQ’s Research and Development District, City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria welcomed delegates and highlighted life sciences’ driving role in San Diego’s global economic impact, and GO-Biz Associate Deputy Director for Industry Engagement and Development Maria Onorato spoke to California’s collaborative spirit and business support.
Following EDC’s Chief Strategy Officer and WTCSD Executive Director Nikia Clarke’s spotlight on San Diego’s competitive advantages, attendees heard industry insights from an expert panel moderated by Miguel Motta, Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and San Diego Head at Biocom.
Representing some of the biggest brands and most exciting startups in life sciences, panelists Kevin Pegels, chief of global operations at Illumina, Sabrina Martucci Johnson, president and CEO at Daré Bioscience, Tamar Grossman, co-founder and CEO at La Jolla Labs, and Thierry Diagana, head of global health and California sites head at Novartis shared why they call San Diego home—and why you should, too.
What sets San Diego apart
San Diego is a top three life sciences market.
San Diego’s competitive advantages make it a world-class innovation hub—100 research institutions, 2,000 companies, 57,000 jobs, $1 billion in 2025 NIH and NSF funding, and a legacy as a global R&D powerhouse, bolstered by homegrown companies like Illumina, La Jolla Labs, and Daré Bioscience.
San Diego’s proximity to Mexico provides dynamic binational business opportunities.
Just 20 minutes south of downtown San Diego, innovative businesses can easily access additional skilled talent and Baja California’s manufacturing expertise in medical devices, manufacturing, and software. The Cali Baja region offers R&D and advanced manufacturing at scale in a single time zone.
Global players are already betting big on San Diego science.
From Novartis’ $1.1 billion research facility to Lilly’s new Gateway Lab to acquisitions and partnerships worth billions, pharma heavyweights in key international markets are investing in the future of discovery. Since 2015, San Diego’s life sciences industry has captured 72% of all FDI into the region, and the region captured $3.6 billion in VC in 2025 alone.
Interested in investing or locating in San Diego?
EDC and WTCSD work directly with companies—free of charge—to help them grow in San Diego. Contact our team today:
Becca Schulert
Manager, Economic Development
Javier De Leon
Sr. Manager, World Trade Center San Diego