Life Science in DFW: It’s Time to Capitalize on Convergence

By Kelly Cloud, Vice President of Economic Development - Life Sciences

When presented with the opportunity to join the No. 1 chamber in the country and scale my passion for growing life sciences in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region, I could not pass it up. We have a diverse life science ecosystem in Texas. People know bits and pieces of what DFW has to offer, and the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC) is here to share opportunities you may not realize exist. I serve as the first point of contact, introducing medium and large companies to key players and educating them on opportunities they may not be aware of.

DFW has consistently been at the top of the list of great places to do business. Since joining the DRC, I’ve been delighted to learn that:

  • DFW makes up approximately one-quarter of the state’s population but contributes one-third of the Texas gross domestic product – roughly $535 billion dollars.
  • If DFW was a state, it would rank 12th for GDP – right between North Carolina and Washington.
  • Between March 2019 and March 2022, DFW outpaced Atlanta and Phoenix combined for job growth.

There is much success for us to build on. My goal is to recruit life science companies to the Dallas Region by helping them see how they and their people can thrive here. To do that, I am fusing all that I know about the Dallas Region’s ecosystem with my experience guiding companies through relocation and expansions in commercial real estate, development, and construction.

The Dallas Region has consistently proven itself as a destination for businesses over the past decade, with over 220 corporate headquarter relocations to North Texas. Organizations need to keep looking to the future to evolve and meet customers where they want to be, meaning areas with industry diversity will be ahead of the curve.

Already a leader in AI/ML, big data, IoT, logistics, software, and gaming, DFW is now poised to supercharge the life science industry. To showcase our unique position and advantages, the DRC just launched the DFW life science economic development guide website. Companies considering a move or expansion in the Dallas Region will find this to be a particularly helpful resource – especially when comparing high-cost areas like Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

The Dallas Region is a story of convergence across industries, and it is the cumulative effect of that convergence that sets DFW apart. Our momentum in life science and biotech can be seen in current projects like Pegasus Park, which includes BioLabs’ state-of-the-art co-working wet lab space, 18-story office tower, and recently announced Bridge Labs. There are also exciting, future projects on the horizon with TxS in Plano, Texas A&M’s new research and innovation campus in Fort Worth, and more.

DFW is also the intellectual capital of Texas, home to over 15 major universities, seven community colleges, and a growing roster of healthcare and biotech facilities. Plus, the DFW-based Texas Research Alliance serves as connective tissue between industry and academic institutions.

DFW also offers a high level of access and physical connectivity with:

Best of all? We still have room to build. We have a history of successful corporate real estate projects, and the ability to attract diverse companies and employees, which appeals to investors. Life moves fast – life science needs to move faster. When your work has global consequences, impacting millions of lives, you want to be in a collaborative environment that can accelerate advances for the greater good. How can the Dallas Region have a positive impact on your life, science, and business? Reach out to me, and I look forward to guiding you through the possibilities.