Novartis Breaks Ground on Biomedical Research Center in San Diego

Novartis broke ground in February of 2026 on the Biomedical Research Center in San Diego. This nexus for innovation will enable end‑to‑end discovery across key disease areas and technology platforms, joining seamlessly with existing sites including Cambridge, Mass., and Basel, Switzerland. Representing an investment of $1.1 billion, the 466,000-sf facility will drive advances in neuroscience, global health, regenerative medicine, and oncology and age-related diseases. The leased structure is being developed in partnership with Alexandria Real Estate Equities and is strategically sited in Campus Point to foster connectivity with the region’s thriving life sciences ecosystem.

Housing approximately 1,000 employees, the highly collaborative building will unite the company’s biomedical research teams based on the West Coast in one centralized location. Modular lab spaces will maximize adjacencies between groups with process dependencies, enabling the sharing of specialized systems and resources while promoting exchange between investigators. With artificial intelligence, automation, and computational capabilities embedded throughout, the state-of-the-art facility will accelerate the creation of new cell and gene therapies, biologics, targeted protein degradation (TPD) modalities, and RNA-based therapeutics.

An expansive terrace will serve as a central gathering place linking indoor and outdoor environments. Targeting both LEED Gold Core & Shell and Fitwel certifications, the sustainable facility will be illuminated by natural light and is expected to achieve 100 percent electrification. The design for the ultra-efficient, high-performance structure prioritizes energy efficiency and water use reduction, as well as occupant health and wellness. Opening in 2029, the Biomedical Research Center is part of a $23 billion investment to expand R&D and advanced manufacturing operations in the United States.