Developing a novel platform in a novel virus pandemic within a year and delivering it to patients. That’s what this region can do. It’s really the ecosystem. That’s what Philadelphia offers.”
Regions
Big ideas don’t stay on paper in Southeast Pennsylvania. They get tested, funded, manufactured, and brought to market. Across five counties, companies are building the future of medicine, technology, and advanced manufacturing in one of the nation’s most connected innovation ecosystems.
Philadelphia anchors the region as one of the country’s leading centers for life sciences, healthcare, research, and biomedical technology. That momentum is reflected in the level of investment flowing into the region. Johnson & Johnson is investing more than $1 billion in a next-generation cell therapy manufacturing facility in Montgomery County. GSK is developing a $1.2 billion biologics flex factory in Upper Merion, while TerraPower Isotopes selected Philadelphia’s Bellwether District for a $450 million radioisotope facility focused on cancer-fighting treatments. Ranked among the top 10 life sciences hubs in the United States, the region combines renowned universities, future-forward healthcare systems, deep venture and institutional investment, and a growing community of cutting-edge startups—all working together.
A strategic East Coast location.
Global markets within reach.
Philadelphia
TerraPower groundbreaking - Philadelphia
Port of Philadelphia
Bucks County Community College - Newton
CSL Behring - King of Prussia
Bellwether District rendering - Philadelphia
- Philadelphia, PA
- Terrapower Groundbreaking
- Philaport
- Bucks Community College
- DrinkPAK
- Bellwether
Southeast Pennsylvania gives businesses direct access to some of the largest consumer and business markets in the world. Located in the center of the Northeast Corridor, the region places companies within reach of major metropolitan areas including New York City, Washington, D.C., and Boston while providing logistics access to international markets. The Port of Philadelphia is consistently ranked among the top-performing ports in the country and is part of a statewide port network moving approximately 67 million tons of goods annually, representing nearly $50 billion in value, offering businesses the operational capacity needed to scale.
That infrastructure is matched by a strong and highly educated workforce pipeline. Institutions including the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Temple University, as well as community colleges and technical training providers, supply talent across life sciences, engineering, advanced manufacturing, and technology. Workforce development organizations like Life Sciences Pennsylvania help employers connect directly with skilled workers prepared for careers in rapidly evolving industries.
Counties in the Southeast Region
Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia
Key Industries
Life Sciences
Cell and Gene Therapy
Technology
- Gwendolyn Binder, PhD, President of Science and Technology, Cabaletta Bio (Philadelphia County)
Powered by world-class companies.
Southeast Pennsylvania is home to globally recognized companies across healthcare, manufacturing, technology, energy, and consumer products. Major employers in the region include Johnson & Johnson, GSK, Comcast, Boeing, SAP and Vanguard, alongside leading healthcare and research institutions including Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. From cell and gene therapy to precision manufacturing, Southeast Pennsylvania continues to attract organizations looking for the talent, infrastructure, and ecosystem needed to grow.
Explore Southeast Pennsylvania Success Stories
Shapiro Administration breaks ground on new TerraPower Isotopes manufacturing facility in Philadelphia
TerraPower Isotopes’ 250,000-square-foot facility will produce actinium-225 for use in the development of cancer treatments. The company will be another major tenant at the Bellwether District, a 1,300-acre state-of-the-art commercial redevelopment project underway in Philadelphia, and a regional hub for economic development, advanced manufacturing, and innovation. The $450 million project will create at least 225 new jobs in Pennsylvania’s strong life sciences industry.
Johnson & Johnson chooses Montgomery County for next-generation manufacturing hub
Johnson & Johnson’s decision to invest more than $1 billion in a new cell therapy manufacturing facility in Montgomery County is another major win for Pennsylvania’s growing life sciences sector. The project, which will create more than 500 new jobs, reinforces Southeast Pennsylvania’s position as a national hub for advanced medicine, research, and manufacturing. Located in Lower Gwynedd Township, the new facility will support the production of next-generation therapies for cancer and other serious diseases while building on Johnson & Johnson’s long-standing footprint in the Commonwealth.
Meet Southeast Pennsylvania's Regional Partners
For over 220 years, the Chamber has brought area businesses and civic leaders together to promote growth and create opportunity in Pennsylvania's Southeast region. The Chamber is made up of diverse member companies ranging from world-renowned Fortune 500 companies to small and mid-size firms. They are also the parent organization of Select Greater Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Industrial Development Corproation (PIDC) works with companies of all sizes driving growth to every corner of Philadelphia. They offer flexible financing tools, a targeted portfolio of industrial and commercial real estate, and decades of Philadelphia-based knowledge to help our clients invest, develop, and grow. We also structure and invest in public-private partnerships for key City policy areas and development priorities.
Delaware Valley Regional Economic Development Fund is a non-profit organization that provides financing to eligible businesses and non-profits for projects that relate to the promotion of economic development and tourism with a job impact. These funds are meant to provide access to capital to area entities and organizations so they may grow and prosper.
Delaware County Economic Development Corporation is charged with encouraging economic development in the county. This entity does so through facilitating the retention of existing companies, and assisting in the formation of and attraction of new businesses, contributing to the vitality of all economy within Delaware County. It is also the management authority for several other agencies forcused on redevelopment, financing, and more.
For more than 60 years, the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) has served Chester County, PA, and the surrounding region. They are a private, non-governmental entity that supports businesses in four key areas – financing solutions, location services, workforce development, and innovation & entrepreneurship. Their services are administered through a variety of industry partnerships, affiliate organizations, and initiatives.
Bucks County Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC) provides tailored resources for companies seeing to grow in, or relocate to, Bucks County. BCEDC offers a wide array of services, including site selection, research information, education, networking opportunities with economic development agencies, and workforce development.
The Manufacturing Alliance of Bucks and Montgomery Counties is a regional partnership focused on supporting and strengthening the manufacturing sector in southeastern Pennsylvania. It connects employers, educators, and workforce organizations to promote manufacturing careers and ensure a skilled local labor force.
World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia serves as Southeast Pennsylvania's leading international business organization, helping companies connect to global markets through export assistance, foreign direct investment support, trade missions, market intelligence, and international networking opportunities.