As the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, years of surging research and development funding had produced new life sciences breakthroughs, while funding from Operation Warp Speed and surging investor interest further fueled epic growth. Now, life sciences companies have an insatiable need for real estate, from ancillary office space to research facilities and manufacturing sites. The question is, where will they find it?

New trends are emerging regarding where and why life sciences are choosing their locations, and how landlords and property investors are responding, according to JLL's latest life sciences real estate research. In some markets, new urban developments are creating vibrant life sciences centers. In others, suburban locations are drawing new activity.

New hotspots are emerging that offer many of the advantages of the top life sciences clusters, with similar access to talent and skilled workforce, but lower rents. Although locations near leading research institutions in Boston, and San Francisco will always occupy a vaunted place within the life sciences pantheon, the incredible dynamism of the life sciences industry is jump-starting new location opportunities.