The life sciences industry in Westchester County comprises academic institutes doing basic research, R&D startups, large manufacturers and supply chain participants, and related industry experts providing specialized consulting, financing, marketing and communications, and other important support services. Non-profit organizations are also located here, supporting patients and research into diseases and medical conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s and autism, to brain injury, cancer, diabetes, leukemia, and more.
Westchester County commissioned a study to assess the state of its life sciences ecosystem and learn how it could best position itself for success going forward. The BJH Advisors consultant team, which included East Egg Project Management, Public Works Partners, JLL, FCA Architects, Barretto Bay Strategies, and Cost Concepts, performed extensive market and background research, stakeholder interviews, site visits, and analysis to identify Westchester County’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities in this sector.
This study is funded by a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and its recommendations support five of EDA’s priorities:
* Building equity and providing opportunities to underserved populations
* Bolstering economic recovery and resilience
* Addressing workforce development and gaps in training and skills that lead to barriers to employment
* Encouraging job creation, business expansion, technology and capital upgrades, and productivity growth in manufacturing
* Promoting technology-based economic development
A link to the final report can be found here: Life Sciences Report
The heart of the life sciences ecosystem here is mid-County, where Regeneron, the Biotechnology Incubator at New York Medical College, the Touro College of Dental Medicine, and WMC Health are located. Digital health, drug development, and medical device companies can be found all around the County, as can critical support from world-class clinicians and healthcare organizations.
Deepening the life sciences industry is a priority for the County, building on the substantial footprint this industry already has in our local economy. Westchester is currently the largest life sciences cluster in New York State. We are well positioned to expand the sector, given our highly educated workforce, desirable quality of life, and physical location within the NY Metro region. We are close to important transportation hubs, airports, and significant academic institutions.
The County has established an Industry Desk to support the life sciences Industry, identifying trends and needs of the existing ventures and to attract new businesses here. The Industry Desk is staffed by the Office of Economic Development, and supported by the Life Sciences Industry Task Force.
The Life Sciences Research and Development Tax Credit Program is designed to support new life sciences businesses locating, inventing, commercializing and producing in New York State. Program credits of $10 million per year can be allocated and used to encourage new businesses to conduct their research and development in the State.
To support the Life Sciences Industry Desk and keep the Office of Economic Development up to date on trends and issues within the local and regional ecosystem, the County has established the Life Sciences Industry Task Force. Chaired by Bridget Gibbons and Deborah Novick, the Task Force includes key business leaders and stakeholders from across the various sectors of the local life sciences industry.
Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator is a competitive entry, 6-month long program designed to provide entrepreneurship education and regional networking to seed-stage ventures developing therapeutics, diagnostics, devices, research tools, digital health and materials technology breakthroughs.
Thank you to our corporate supporters:
Atostek, Boehringer Ingelheim, C3 Medical Device Consulting LLC, Pfizer, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Kaneka, Moses & Singer LLP / MS Strategic Solutions, Wilson Sonsini
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