Wake County Economic Development recently attended the NEXTGEN Talks Life Sciences Summit in Alexandria, Virginia, hosted by Annie Gregson, where industry experts and site selection consultants shared perspectives on the factors shaping life sciences location decisions.

Despite changing market conditions, three themes consistently rose to the top:

• Infrastructure preparedness
• Access to talent and workforce
• Community livability.

These priorities align closely with the strengths that continue to attract life sciences investment to Wake County and the Triangle. A standout example discussed during the summit was Novartis’ investment and expansion in Morrisville. Robert Zamboldi, Head of U.S. Real Estate & Facility Services for Novartis and Michael Falleroni, Site Selection & Business Incentives Principal for Ryan highlighted how site readiness helped accelerate the project, how regional workforce partners collaborated to build a diverse talent pipeline, and how Morrisville’s commitment to balancing growth with quality of life supported the company’s success.

The conversations at NEXTGEN Talks reinforced why the Triangle remains competitive for life sciences investment. From ready-to-build sites and a deep talent pipeline to communities that prioritize quality of life, the factors consultants are seeking are the same strengths that continue to drive growth across Wake County. As companies evaluate locations for future expansion, our region is well positioned to meet both their operational needs and long-term business goals.