Los Angeles County has received $23.92 million in state funding to accelerate growth in its life sciences sector and create 10,000 high-quality jobs by 2030, officials announced.
The California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative awarded the funding to support the LA Region’s 5-Year Life Sciences Industry Strategy and Action Plan, which aims to establish the area as a global leader in bio-innovation. The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and its partners will use the money to implement key components of the comprehensive strategy.
The funding will support four interconnected regional projects: expanding graduation space and funding for promising companies, providing incentives to attract outside firms to the region, strengthening connectivity and collaboration within the cluster, and developing a compelling narrative around the LA region’s value proposition in life sciences.
“This landmark investment positions LA County as a national leader in life sciences innovation and job creation,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who represents the Second District. “Life science is one of the fastest growing sectors in LA County, and this investment by California Jobs First will help build on the exciting momentum underway.”
The strategy was developed through extensive industry and stakeholder engagement involving more than 17 cross-sector life sciences leaders. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a motion directing its implementation after the plan was announced in July. California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced the funding award on Aug. 29.
Kelly LoBianco, director of the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, said the funding will “fast-track implementation of our five-year regional strategy and action plan, driving inclusive industry growth, expanding high-quality job pathways, and building the infrastructure needed to keep cutting-edge innovation and talent right here in LA.”
The initiative builds on LA County’s existing assets, including world-class research institutions, an extensive network of anchor firms, and a robust talent pipeline. However, officials said the region has faced challenges in coordination and visibility that the new funding will help address.
“LA County has the talent, the research, and the infrastructure,” said Stephen Cheung, president and CEO of the LA County Economic Development Corporation. “This funding allows us to connect the dots and help life sciences companies land here, grow here, and hire here.”
Stephanie Hsieh, CEO of BioscienceLA, one of the key partners in the initiative, emphasized the importance of regional coordination. “Los Angeles County has every ingredient to lead the world in life sciences — research, talent, diversity, and scale,” she said. “What we’ve lacked is the shared visibility and alignment to act as one region.”
The funding will support BioscienceLA’s Asset Map and Activation Campaign, designed to serve as a connective framework for the LA Bioscience Cluster. The initiative aims to unite people, data, and stories to transform what Hsieh called “fragmentation into coordinated action.”
Another key partner, the Larta Institute, will use its portion of the funding to expand technical assistance to more enterprises and establish a fund providing catalytic capital to bioscience and medical technology companies across LA County.
“Larta is proud to align the work we will conduct under this award with the work of our remarkable partners in the LA Collaborative, which the State sees as a model for regional growth and collaboration,” said Rohit Shukla, founder and CEO of the Larta Institute.
The California Jobs First program represents the state’s effort to drive sustainable and equitable economic growth in key sectors. The life sciences sector has emerged as one of the fastest-growing industries in LA County, making it a priority for regional economic development efforts.
Officials said the 10,000-job target by 2030 represents a significant expansion of high-quality employment opportunities in the region, with an emphasis on inclusive growth that ensures economic benefits reach all communities in LA County.
The initiative reflects a broader effort to position LA County as a major hub for biotechnology and medical innovation, competing with established clusters in the San Francisco Bay Area and Boston.
