National attention highlights Southern Nevada’s growing life sciences ecosystem and the infrastructure supporting its next generation of companies

For decades, the biotechnology industry has been closely associated with established hubs such as Boston, San Francisco and San Diego. But the geography of biotech innovation is beginning to expand — and Las Vegas is gaining attention as a market to watch.

In a recent feature, BioPharma Dive named Las Vegas one of three emerging biotech hubs showing promise outside the industry’s traditional centers, alongside Oklahoma City and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

The article, “Beyond Boston: Unlikely cities stake biotech claims,” highlights a growing collection of biotechnology companies, organizations and resources that are helping Southern Nevada establish a stronger foothold in the life sciences industry.

Among them is Roseman Bioventures.

Building the Infrastructure for Innovation

Launched by Roseman University of Health Sciences, Roseman Bioventures is a 120,000-square-foot life sciences incubator designed to provide startups and emerging companies with the infrastructure and resources they need to advance promising technologies toward commercialization.

BioPharma Dive points to Roseman Bioventures’ laboratory and research infrastructure, regulatory guidance, investor connections and industry partnerships as examples of the resources now available to companies choosing to build in Las Vegas.

The article also quotes Jeff Talbot, PhD, Vice President for Research and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies at Roseman University, who points to lower operating costs, access to talent and an expanding support network as advantages for life sciences companies considering Southern Nevada.

Roseman Bioventures already has eight resident companies and has received interest from hundreds of organizations — early signs of the demand for life sciences infrastructure in the region.

Why Las Vegas?

Southern Nevada offers some compelling advantages for companies looking beyond traditional biotech centers.

Operating and scaling a life sciences company requires more than laboratory space. Companies need access to talent, research capabilities, capital, regulatory expertise, industry relationships and an ecosystem that understands the unique challenges involved in bringing scientific discoveries to market.

Those pieces are increasingly coming together in Las Vegas.

Universities, economic development organizations, government agencies, investors, entrepreneurs and industry partners are collaborating to create an environment where biotechnology and healthcare innovation can grow alongside the industries for which Southern Nevada is already known.

Roseman Bioventures is helping provide a physical and collaborative center for that activity — giving early-stage companies a place to conduct research, develop technology, build relationships and take the next steps toward commercialization.

From Emerging Market to Established Ecosystem

Traditional biotech centers such as Boston will continue to play an enormous role in the industry. But innovation does not have to be limited to a handful of cities.

As BioPharma Dive’s feature demonstrates, emerging markets can offer companies different advantages while creating new opportunities for talent, investment and economic development.

For Las Vegas, building a life sciences sector represents an opportunity to further diversify Southern Nevada’s economy while creating high-skilled jobs and supporting discoveries that have the potential to improve health and healthcare.

It also takes time.

Strong innovation ecosystems are not created by a single organization, company or investment. They are built through sustained collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs, universities, investors, government and industry.

The growing national attention surrounding Las Vegas suggests that work is beginning to be noticed.

At Roseman Bioventures, we are proud to be part of a community working together to make Southern Nevada a place where life sciences companies can not only start — but stay, grow and succeed.

Read the full BioPharma Dive article, “Beyond Boston: Unlikely cities stake biotech claims,” to learn more about Las Vegas and the other emerging biotech markets attracting national attention.