RTP is booming with firms specializing in biotechnology and the life sciences. With a strong concentration of nearly 80 biotechnology and life sciences companies located in the Park, employing over 10,400 local specialists, RTP anchors the Triangle region's strengths in human capital and depth of its workforce. These include large firms and smaller start-ups lured by the Park’s flexible incubator spaces. 

The Research Triangle Park was globally ranked #4 in the 2010 International Ranking of Emerging Biotech Hubs by Business Facilities for its combination of excellent, low-cost infrastructure and highly networked scientific working groups. The region also offers several high-caliber universities and well established venture capital firms that invest millions in RTP-based companies every year, bolstering RTP as a life sciences and biotechnology hub.

 

Industry Resources

RTP-based institutions advancing biotechnology

N.C. Biotechnology Center
A private non-profit that has invested more than $200 million to develop biotechnology research, education and business

N.C. Biosciences Organization (NCBIO)
A 15-year-old organization representing more than 150 companies in legislative and regulatory affairs at the state and federal levels

N.C. Bio Impact
A coordinated effort of the N.C. Biotechnology Center, the N.C. Biosciences Organization and the University of North Carolina and N.C. Community College systems to build and retain a strong local biomanufacturing workforce

Biofuels Center of North Carolina
The center is a private, nonprofit corporation headquartered on the 426-acre North Carolina Biofuels Campus in Oxford to implement North Carolina's Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership and to help make the state more energy independent

 

Workforce & Education

Local universities and training centers with programs in agricultural biotechnology, statistics, biology, botany, chemistry, genetics, medicine and engineering that help drive biotechnology and life sciences.

Duke University

Department of Biomedical Engineering
Consistently ranked as one of the top biomedical engineering programs in the nation, Duke BME combines a hands-on educational experience and interdisciplinary research. The department prepares graduates to be leaders in integrating engineering and biology to detect and treat human diseases.

Environmental Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory 
Part of the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University

The Center for Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering (CBTE)
A multi-disciplinary center for training and research, CBTE is one of Duke University's most comprehensive efforts in biotechnology. The center focuses on three broad areas of biotechnology: protein engineering, cellular engineering, and tissue engineering.

N.C. State University

Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center
An international leader in education and training in biomanufacturing and bioprocessing, involving simulated-cGMP production of high-value biomolecules using cell growth and expression, recovery and purification processes

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is the second largest college at N.C. State covers the full range of higher education degree options—from associate’s programs in the Agricultural Institute to bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in biology-based disciplines, agriculture, and the environmental sciences.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Program in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
The Program in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (PMBB) was created in 1981 to promote genetic engineering research and education. Research activities include the Program in Molecular Therapy of Human Disease supported by a grant from the Lucille P. Markey Foundation and and the graduate programs in Protein Engineering & Molecular Genetics and Cell and Molecular Biology. 

Professional Science Master Degree
PSMs are graduate degree programs that provide interdisciplinary coursework in the natural and mathematical sciences in combination with the professional management training essential for careers in industry, government or nonprofit organizations.

N.C. Central University

Biotechnology Degree
Provides a foundation for prospective biologists, including students interested in careers in fundamental research, biotechnology, and teaching, and those planning to enter the fields of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, laboratory technology, conservation, industry and environmentally related fields

Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise
A state-of-the-art, 52,000-square-foot facility training students in process analytical technology and development, quality assurance, and quality control

N.C. Community College System

N.C. BioNetwork
A statewide initiative offering world class workforce training in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and life science industries on more than 20 campuses

 

Funding & Incentives

Venture capital firms and other local investors supporting the growth of RTP-based life sciences and biotechnology companies

The Aurora Funds, Inc.
Since its founding in 1994, this family of venture capital funds in Durham, N.C., has invested in more than 60 portfolio healthcare and IT companies, resulting in five IPOs and eight merger and acquisitions transactions.

Calvert BioCapital
Calvert BioCapital of Cary, N.C., invests in companies that will acquire rights to early-stage pharmaceutical compounds. Calvert BioCapital assists the companies in further developing the compounds, using a capital-efficient drug development business model to increase their value prior to exit.

Cato BioVentures 
An RTP-based affiliate of Cato Research Ltd., Cato BioVentures focuses on early to mid-stage investment opportunities in private companies and undervalued public companies.

Golden Pine Ventures
Established in 2004, this RTP-based venture capital company seeks biotechnology and biomedical opportunities developed by leading researchers.

Hatteras Venture Partners 
Hatteras Venture Partners focuses on biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics and related opportunities in human medicine. With three funds, this RTP-based firm has more than $120 million under management.

Intersouth Partners 
Intersouth Partners is the largest venture capital fund in North Carolina and manages $780 million in seven venture capital limited partnerships. Since its founding in 1985, Intersouth has invested in more than 100 early-stage life science and technology companies.

One North Carolina Fund
An incentives program created by the state in 2004 to offer financial assistance to attract and expand business in knowledge-driven industries such as biotechnology

Pappas Ventures 
This Durham-based venture capital firm seeks opportunities exclusively in life sciences, including biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, drug delivery and medical devices and has more than $350 million in capital under management. To date, a quarter of the 50 companies Pappas has assisted have completed initial public offerings or successfully merged with corporate partners.

Piedmont Angel Network
This Greensboro, N.C.-based angel investor focuses on early-stage investing, with an emphasis on high-growth life science and technology companies.

River Cities Capital Funds 
River Cities Capital Funds has $390 million under management and a Raleigh, N.C., office. The firm seeks to invest in high growth information technology and healthcare companies that have a material customer base and are approaching profitability.

Syngenta Ventures
Syngenta Ventures, located in RTP and Europe, seeks to identify early stage companies with a strong technology base and/or new business model, where the team of investment professionals, together with the support of 26,000 Syngenta colleagues across the world, can help build valuable businesses benefitting both Syngenta and the investee company stakeholders.