Biomedical

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.

Roche will expand its leased presence on Harvard University’s Enterprise Research Campus from 30,000 sf to 100,000 sf in Breakthrough Properties’ One Milestone property in Boston. Located in the thriving Allston neighborhood, the Roche Genentech Innovation Center will bring together cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism experts with data science and AI specialists to accelerate drug discovery and development. Construction is nearly complete and phased occupancy will commence in mid-2026.

Eli Lilly and Company will begin construction in mid-2026 on a $3.5 billion facility in Upper Macungie Township, Pa., for the manufacture of injectable medicines and devices. The project represents the largest investment made by a life sciences company in the state’s history, and will be the largest development ever to rise in the Lehigh Valley. The seven-building complex will enable the production of next-generation weight-loss therapies, including retatrutide, a first-in-class investigational GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon triple hormone receptor agonist.

Genentech, an independent subsidiary of Roche, is expanding the initial investment in its new biomanufacturing facility in Holly Springs, N.C., from $700 million to approximately $2 billion. Originally envisioned as a 700,000-sf complex, the project will now deliver increased production volume and scale capacity, significantly enhancing the company's U.S. supply chain.

The 1,235-acre University of Maryland (UMD) campus in College Park sits just eight miles from the nation’s capital. Founded in 1856 as a land-grant institution, the university offers 300 degree programs through 12 colleges serving 41,000 students and—together with the University of Maryland, Baltimore—has $1.4 billion in sponsored research expenditures. Over the past decade, the school has experienced many shifts, including joining the Big Ten Conference and receiving its largest donation in university history.

The ideal lab building can flex over time to accommodate each new generation of researchers, with minimal disruption and infrastructure change. Using an approach called the “resilient chassis,” labs are grouped by typologies and placed around a common spine or “chassis” of mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) systems based on zoning and capacity needs. The best location for each lab is determined by grouping labs together that share specialized requirements, such as vibration sensitivities, noise restrictions, lighting or electrical requirements, and instrumentation needs. 

Gattuso Development Partners and Vigilant Holdings are constructing a $500 million life sciences center in Philadelphia to fuel innovation. Sited in the University City district on the campus of Drexel University, the 519,647-rsf facility will offer wet and dry laboratories for the creation of novel therapeutics and medical technologies, accompanied by a mix of commercial, academic, and office spaces for biotechnology tenants, faculty, and students.

The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has rejected the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding for indirect costs. In January of 2026, a three-judge panel ruled unanimously that prior attempts to cap reimbursement rates for overhead expenses at 15 percent of any given grant for universities and institutions engaged in medical and scientific research were unlawful.

Eli Lilly and Company is planning to construct an advanced manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Ala. Representing a total investment of $6 billion, the multibuilding campus will offer over 1 million sf of space for production, laboratories, packaging, logistics, and utilities. The sophisticated development will manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients and small molecule synthetic and peptide medicines, including the company’s first oral small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, orforglipron.

The University of Oregon is constructing the second phase of the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact in Eugene. Designed by ZGF Architects, Building 2 will double capacity for the research and development of biomedical technologies and expand space for academic programs, engineering, and applied science.

The University of New South Wales Sydney opened the Health Translation Hub in November of 2025 in Australia. Developed by Plenary Group, the AUD 600 million (USD 396.8 million) facility drives impactful medical discoveries to revolutionize patient care. Students at the clinical school benefit from an interdisciplinary ecosystem that directly connects future health professionals, researchers, and educators with industry partners and clinicians to foster knowledge exchange and immersive learning.

Kadans Science Partner began construction in November of 2025 on a 217,000-sf science and innovation building in the United Kingdom. Designed by Sheppard Robson, Plus Ultra Manchester will accommodate organizations from across the life sciences, health research, advanced materials, and deep technologies sectors. The facility’s customizable floor plates will provide a flexible arrangement of laboratories, cleanrooms, offices, and assembly space. A vibrant atrium will interlink with numerous breakout zones to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

Versiti is engaged in a $79 million expansion of the Versiti Blood Research Institute (VBRI) at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus in Wauwatosa, Wis. Accommodating 125 researchers, the 79,000-sf addition will double research capacity to drive vital discoveries and create breakthrough therapies for patients with conditions such as blood disorders, immune diseases, and cancer. The four-story structure will provide ten laboratory suites, support environments, and core labs that integrate advanced instrumentation. 

The University of Virginia is constructing the $350 million Paul and Diane Manning Institute for Biotechnology in Charlottesville to catalyze breakthroughs in the fields of cellular therapy, gene therapy, nanotechnology, and drug delivery. Designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, the flexible building will provide 355,809 sf of space for leading-edge laboratories, core facilities, advanced manufacturing suites, and clinical environments.

Breakthrough Properties completed construction in November of 2025 on One Helix in the Netherlands. Strategically sited within the campus of Amsterdam University Medical Center, the purpose-built research facility will leverage connections with the surrounding academic, life sciences, and biopharma ecosystem to catalyze life-changing scientific advancements. The 70,126-sf building was designed by UNStudio to offer world-class laboratory and office environments that foster collaboration and innovation.