Houston continues to evolve as a premier destination for life sciences and biomanufacturing through a multifaceted strategy that capitalizes on its existing strengths and fosters innovation and growth.   Since its inception in 1945, the Texas Medical Center has evolved into a vast medical district spanning 5 square miles  and serving over ten million patients annually.  More than 60 institutions operate within the Texas Medical Center, serving as a catalyst for Houston’s collaborative ecosystem, with efforts like the Cell Therapy Manufacturing Center, JLABS@TMC and CUBIO. This helps set the stage for groundbreaking research and provides direct access to nearly 5,000 active clinical trials, a major boon to innovation.   Recent years have witnessed significant strides in laying a robust foundation for Houston's position as a leader in innovative life sciences and biotechnology. These efforts came into focus last month at Bisnow’s Life Sciences Evolution event, with leaders in the life sciences industry, real estate and innovation envisioning the future growth of the Houston life sciences market. Among the assets shared as advantages were access to clinical trials, business environment, workforce efforts and quality of life.   “Having access to the patient population is critical to success, especially a diverse population,” Monique Knighten, PhD of Portal Innovations said. “There’s a key benefit to have access to these clinical trials and the expertise involved, as well as living close to where the science is being developed.”   Legislative actions, such as the passage of Proposition 10 in November which provides new incentives for medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, enhances the region's competitiveness and economic prospects. Additionally, investments in workforce development, exemplified by collaborations between educational institutions and industry partners like San Jacinto College and the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), ensure a skilled talent pool for the future.  “The relationships with companies, colleges and high schools are integral,” Pearland EDC Vice President Brian Malone said on the panel at Bisnow discussing suburban life sciences growth. “We’ve really worked hard on that with a business retention plan to find out what type of training and what type of workers these companies need.”   Furthermore, substantial real estate investments further support life sciences research and development. TMC’s Helix Park opened in 2023 with the TMC Collaborative Building and industry research hub Dynamic One, with new tenant Houston Methodist leasing 75,800 square feet. Just north inside the Medical District, Hines’ Levit Green is now leasing nearly 300,000 square feet of purpose-built lab and office space as part of a future 53-acre district. On the northeast side of the metro, McCord’s master-planned Generation Park recently broke ground on a new Center for Biotechnology in partnership with San Jacinto College. In The Woodlands, Alexandria is developing 8800 Technology Forest Place into 325,000 square feet of Class A space.   Initiatives such as the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and a thriving innovation ecosystem further reinforce the city's position at the forefront of bioscience breakthroughs and economic impact.  With strategic advantages like its top-ranked port, diverse population, and accessibility to global markets, Houston is poised to further elevate its status as a hub for life sciences innovation. As Houston continues to advance its life sciences and biotechnology sector, opportunities for collaboration and growth abound, driving progress in public health and driving the next wave of bioscience innovation.   Explore Houston's dynamic life sciences ecosystem.  

As the fourth most populous city in the nation, Houston faces the ongoing challenge of meeting the demands of its expanding population and ensuring efficient mobility for residents and businesses.   Metro Houston added nearly 125,000 residents in 2022, according to the Partnership’s analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. A recent study from Site Selection Group also suggests that the Houston Metro is projected to see a 9.62 percent population growth rate or a total population of over eight million by 2028.  To accommodate for current and future growth, many dynamic transportation projects are underway in the region that will not only address current congestion and infrastructure needs but also lay the groundwork for a more sustainable and interconnected future.   Click to expand I-69 Southwest/610 West Loop Interchange Construction  In efforts to relieve congestion on two of Houston’s busiest highways, the project involves reconstructing the main lanes of Loop 610 along I-69 and transforming one-lane connectors into two-lane ones. After six years of work, the project is nearly finished.  "We have one connector ramp left that has to be that has to be demolished and rebuilt as part of the project," said Danny Perez, Public Information Officer for TxDOT's Houston District in a recent segment of Houston Public Media’s Houston Matters. "We have to do some work on the 610 main lanes. Once we do all of that work then the project will be substantially completed by this summer, and then have it fully completed by fall of 2024."    I-45 Downtown Houston  Construction on a segment of the massive I-45 expansion project is expected to kick off this year in downtown Houston, with drainage work along St. Emmanuel Street. Nearly two decades in the making, the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) includes the reconstruction of I-45 from the North Sam Houston Tollway/Beltway 8 to I-10 and reroute I-45 through downtown along I-10 and US 59/I-69.   According to Community Impact, another subproject of the NHHIP that includes the construction of main lanes along I-69 to Hwy. 288 is projected to start in 2025, while segment two of the project, which includes work along I-45 from I-10 to Loop 610 and parts of Loop 610, is not slated to begin until 2028.     Click to expand Houston Ship Channel Bridge  Spanning the Houston Ship Channel, the new cable-stayed bridge aims to widen the Sam Houston Tollway by providing eight lanes for vehicular traffic and shoulder lanes for motorcyclists. While construction saw a brief pause back in 2020, it has resumed with the southbound bridge slated for completion by late 2025 and the northbound bridge by 2028.    METRONext  To help alleviate traffic in the greater Houston region, Metro Houston’s METRONext Moving Forward Plan aims to expand community travel options that will take more cars off the road, including the following:  METRORapid Inner Katy is a project designed to cater to commuters in the Interstate 10 West and U.S. Highway 290 Northwest corridors. The project will create a new METRORapid line running through I-10 in the inner Katy area, including stops at Shepard/Durham and Studemont. Additionally, the project will provide exclusive lanes for Regional Express buses on I-10 West and Hwy. 290 North West, bypassing congestion on I-10.   METRORapid University Corridor Project aims to increase connectivity from the Westchase Park & Ride and to the Tidewell Transit Center, providing access to four educational institutions including Houston Community College, Texas Southern University, University of Houston and University of St. Thomas.  Discover Houston's robust transportation systems.