LA County DEO Launches 5-Year Life Science Industry Strategy, Setting Trajectory for 10,000 High Quality Jobs and Greater LA Region as a Global Life Sciences Hub

LA County DEO Launches 5-Year Life Science Industry Strategy, Setting Trajectory for 10,000 High Quality Jobs and Greater LA Region as a Global Life Sciences Hub  

The Life Sciences Industry Strategy outlines a bold, comprehensive approach to unlock LA County’s core assets—a world-class talent pipeline and powerhouse research institutions—while directly confronting the binding constraints that have caused the region to lag behind national job growth. These include a critical lack of affordable graduation space for startups1, a complex business and regulatory environment, and a "funding valley of death" for early-stage companies. The strategy is built on four pillars to address these challenges and leverage our region’s strengths: 1. alleviate physical space constraints, 2. encourage firms to start, grow and hire; 3. strengthen cluster infrastructure and brand; and 4. boost workforce inclusivity. 

This strategy, co-designed with industry leaders, is the result of extensive stakeholder engagement and guidance from a 17-member Life Sciences Advisory Board convened by DEO. It builds upon the Board's 2022 motion, authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, which prioritized equitable growth in the sector, as well as more than a decade of prior County investment in and support for the sector, including funding for inclusive employment pathway programs like Bio Futures and Bio-Flex, funding new incubators like CSULA’s LA BioSpace and The Lundquist Institute’s BioLabs, and providing land to help launch BioScienceLA. It also aligns with the California Jobs First (CJF) regional plan for Los Angeles County, which includes bioscience as a priority sector and was accepted by the United States Economic Development Administration as a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Los Angeles County.  

“Our goal is to ensure talent, capital, and innovation can come together to transform research into new discoveries, improve health outcomes, close disparities, and establish lasting career pathways for working families from all backgrounds" said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, author of the motion establishing the County's strategy for expanding the Life Science industry. "Today’s motion lays a roadmap to ensure we achieve that goal and continue to grow the life science hub here in LA County.” 

“This isn’t just a report; it’s an action plan backed by real investment to inclusively grow the life sciences sector while positioning LA County as a global life sciences leader. We are committed to partnering with industry stakeholders to keep our homegrown startups here, train our diverse workforce for quality life sciences jobs, and send a clear message to the global life sciences community that Los Angeles County is ready to lead,” said DEO Director Kelly LoBianco. 

“LA County Planning commits to supporting the ever-growing life sciences industry by reforming our zoning regulations, streamlining permitting procedures, and enhancing the existing concierge services provided by our department.  These efforts focus on equity, climate resilience, and long-term prosperity in our unincorporated communities,” said Amy J. Bodek, Director of Regional Planning. 

“It has been an honor to work with so many leaders across the Greater LA Life Science landscape.  This work is going to demonstrate the leadership that LA county is taking, but prioritizing vital life science innovation, that will not only allow these companies with breakthrough assets to grow and prosper here in Los Angeles.  But will also foster strong job formation and communities where individuals with various educational and cultural backgrounds can grow and be trained with skills that build lifelong careers,” said Dan Gober, Executive Director of Biocom California. 

DEO will publicly present the findings and implementation plan at the Biocom California Greater LA Life Science Forum on Thursday, July 17, 2025. 

The motion adopted today directs DEO to immediately begin implementation, including: 

• Deploy $5.8 million from the LA County Bioscience Loan Fund to initiate implementation of the strategy, prioritizing the development of graduation space in LA County to mitigate the relocation of promising companies outside of LA County.
• Secure and invest up to $2 million into Life Sciences High Road Training Partnerships (HRTPs) to align workforce programs with industry needs, creating direct career pathways for local communities. 
• Collaborate with the Department of Regional Planning (DRP) to identify the resources necessary to develop recommendations for life sciences development via Planning and Zoning Code (Title 22) regulations and permitting procedures in the unincorporated areas, with the goal of also informing, actions undertaken by partners in incorporated cities. 
• Launch a Life Sciences Business Attraction, Retention, and Expansion Program to provide proactive outreach, technical assistance, and support for companies navigating the County’s landscape. 
• Identify additional potential funding sources to implement the Strategy and Action Plan.  

For more information about the Life Sciences Cluster Strategy and Action Plan, or explore partnership opportunities, please visit: opportunity.lacounty.gov/lifesciences.