Harnessing the Power of the Bioeconomy

Leading the Charge in Bio-Based Solutions

A thriving bioeconomy courses throughout our region, advancing our expertise in life sciences. As a path to a renewable future, the region’s bioeconomy fuels growth across agtech, biopharma, medical, and industrial biotech.

The Triangle region's comprehensive business ecosystem and longstanding reputation for innovation and talent make it an attractive destination for bioeconomy-focused companies seeking growth, collaboration, and access to cutting-edge research and development. The region's location connects urban and rural communities, and the state’s home along the East Coast enables smooth international travel and trade, making it an ideal hub for global connectivity.



An interview with Tue Micheelsen, the North American president of Novonesis.



Our Bioeconomy at a Glance

291 Bioeconomy Company Sites in the Region
#1 Biomanufacturing Market
Top 5 U.S. Life Sciences Cluster - Raleigh-Durham
More than $10 Billion in Economic Development Announcements from Life Science Companies
*Source: JLL 2023 Life Sciences Cluster Analysis

Why Us?

A leader in life sciences, the Research Triangle Region fosters a diverse bioeconomy that advances agtech, biopharma, medical, and industrial biotech. With a well-known reputation for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, companies benefit from new ideas and resources to turn innovation into reality, creating an ecosystem where groundbreaking eco-friendly advancements take shape. When addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, it’s in our nature to take action. 



Two scientists wearing protective goggles and medical gloves. The two scientists closely examining lab results.

Solving Global Challenges—Locally

Research-Triangle-Park

Regional bioeconomy innovation is critical in addressing global challenges, including food insecurity, public health, and energy independence. Renowned for its collaborative approach, the region has become a leader in launching and supporting globally recognized initiatives such as:

Groundbreaking and Game-Changing Companies

Faits saillants de l'entreprise

Elo-fungus-resistant-banana-plants-in-greenhouse-1280x640

Systèmes de vie Elo (Durham County)

Elo Life Systems uses precision breeding technologies to produce crops with novel traits. Elo Life Systems is reimagining the future of food – focusing on ingredients that empower consumers to feel good about the food they eat every day. From unique plant-based sweeteners to saving crops like the banana from extinction, Elo harnesses the untapped potential of nature to make food tastier, healthier, and resilient while requiring less from the planet.

download

Johnson & Johnson (Comté de Wilson)

Recently announced plans to invest over $2 billion in a new manufacturing facility to produce biologic medicines for cancer, immunity-related, and neurological diseases.  Johnson & Johnson is a focused healthcare company with Innovative Medicine and MedTech expertise. It is empowered to tackle the world’s toughest health challenges, innovate through science and technology, and transform patient care.  ​

06_Novonesis_Logo_Wordmark_Static_Moss_RGB

Novonèse (Franklin County

Novonesis believes solutions rooted in biology are key to tackling the world's challenges. Enzymes, functional proteins, and microorganisms are the planet's tiniest yet mightiest agents of change. By leveraging their power, biosolutions are created that transform how we produce, consume, and live.  By researching, developing, and manufacturing enzymes, microorganisms, and biopharmaceutical ingredients, we can impact agriculture, baking, biofuels, brewing, detergents, food, feed, and textiles.

The Research Triangle Region enables Novonesis to thrive. Top-tier universities contribute to an amazing talent pool, it’s a prime location for biomanufacturing expansion, and the quality of life is high. We’ve produced biosolutions for almost 50 years here, and, if we had to do it all over again, we would still call North Carolina home.”

– Mike Newcomb, Senior Director of Operations, Novonesis



Bioeconomy News