WHY NEW JERSEY?
New Jersey is a world leader in discovering and developing new medicines, therapies, diagnostics and technologies to improve the quality of patients’ lives.
When Johnson & Johnson relocated its lotion and bandage factory to New Brunswick in 1886, it spurred what grew to become the greatest concentration of life sciences companies in the world. Over the ensuing 135 years, a specialized supply chain developed to provide the goods and services needed to advance the mission of these companies. With support from the state’s government, its academic community and health care system, a life sciences ecosystem developed that is admired around the world.
This ecosystem established New Jersey’s standing as a global life sciences innovation hub that produces a steady stream of contributions to advancing human health.
New Jersey possesses many compelling assets that have historically made it an attractive location for life sciences companies.
As the home of a world-renowned industry cluster, much of the global industry leadership is based in New Jersey.
The cluster provides endless opportunities for companies to collaborate.
New Jersey offers a highly educated and skilled workforce and boasts the number one ranked K-12 school system in the country.
A steady pipeline of life sciences start-ups.
New Jersey is home to a dynamic innovation ecosystem with multiple world-class research universities and institutes.
Industry-leading manufacturing capabilities.
A specialized industry supply chain that has developed over more than a century.
The state’s strategic geographic location allows for ease of collaborating with other domestic and international research hubs, affords ready access to capital and consumer markets, and provides a global transportation network.
New Jersey’s life sciences sector is a cornerstone of the state economy, fueling production and supporting tens of thousands of high-skill jobs. The figures below quantify its scale in output, employment, and business footprint.
of New Jersey’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
in total economic output
Source: ChooseNJ: “Life Sciences”; WWFH ; DOL
*Represents the ratio of total economic impact ($120.9 billion) to New Jersey’s GDP in 2025 Q3 ($691.8 billion).
Major Projects (>$5M):
71 (2019–2024)
Total Construction Spending:
$4.03 billion (2019-2024)
Organized Labor Hours:
5,730,508 (2019-2024)
Source: PILMA
Life sciences spending flows through a wide vendor network and into paychecks that outpace the state average, amplifying local economic impact. These indicators highlight the sector’s purchasing power and the quality of its jobs.
Source: ChooseNJ: “Life Sciences“
New Jersey combines deep talent pipelines, a dense concentration of global firms, robust clinical activity, and purpose-built innovation campuses. Together, these advantages accelerate discovery, development, and commercialization.
#1 Public School System
Concentration of Scientists & Engineers
Source: ChooseNJ: “Life Sciences”; WWFH.
New Jersey has become a national leader in innovation, anchored by new Strategic Innovation Centers (SIC) and additional hubs that support collaborations with top universities, and large-scale investment in startup spaces, which reinforce New Jersey’s rapidly growing ecosystem for medtech, biotech, and technology entrepreneurship.
