BIOCOM/san diego, the regional association for the life sciences industry, says that San Diego has the most concentrated cluster of life science companies in the United States. The announcement kicked off the annual CALBIOsummit conference, ``Advancing the Business of Health,'' scheduled to conclude Tuesday at the San Diego Convention Center.

Biotech has been a staple of the county's office and industrial markets, particularly in North County coastal areas.

The life science industry continues to have "an incredible impact in San Diego,'' says Brent Jacobs, senior vice president, Burnham Real Estate Services Life Science Group. ``With over 4,255 square miles and the infrastructure in place to foster innovative start-up companies, attract world-class pharmaceutical institutions and support scientific institutes, it is no wonder that San Diego is home to some of the nation's leading biotechnology companies.''