The Pearl Ushers in a New Era for Charlotte’s Life Sciences Sector

Published on June 19, 2025

Charlotte is emerging as a major force in the life sciences sector with the official opening of The Pearl Innovation District, a $1.5 billion investment in health, research and education. 

City and Mecklenburg County leaders joined Advocate Health officials and partners to celebrate the grand opening of the first of three phases on Monday, June 2. The Pearl’s 26-acre campus, a public-private partnership with the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Atrium Health, Wexford Science & Technology and Ventas, is designed to unite world-class research, medical education and industry innovation. 

Over the next 15 years, the district, located in the historic Brooklyn neighborhood in Midtown, is projected to create more than 5,500 on-site jobs and more than 11,500 total jobs across the region.

The Pearl is more than a place; It’s a symbol of Charlotte’s rapidly evolving life sciences ecosystem, one fueled by fast-growing research institutions, expanding companies and a deepening pool of local talent.

What This Means for Charlotte

For residents, the life sciences boom is bringing real opportunities and helping to diversify the economy, said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. 

“As The Pearl opens its doors, it’s not only a symbol of Charlotte’s ambitions — it’s proof that those ambitions are becoming reality,” Lyles said. “Whether you’re a student, a job seeker, an entrepreneur, a healthcare professional or simply proud to call Charlotte home, now is an exciting time to watch our city rise as a life sciences powerhouse.”

Closing the Innovation Gap

Until earlier this year, Charlotte stood out as the only major U.S. metro without a public top-tier research university or a four-year medical school — two pillars critical to life sciences leadership. 

Now, things have changed. Earlier this year, UNC Charlotte, which has grown its research portfolio considerably over the past decade, earned Carnegie R1 status, joining the nation’s elite research universities.

Meanwhile, the Wake Forest School of Medicine Charlotte Campus, located in The Pearl, will welcome its first full class in July.

“These are more than just milestones, they are economic game changers, attracting new businesses, innovation, national research funding, and top-tier talent,” Alyson Craig, assistant city manager whose portfolio includes the city’s Economic Development Department said.

A Thriving Life Sciences Ecosystem

Charlotte’s life sciences sector is no longer just a growth story -- it’s a jobs story. Over the past few years, the Charlotte region has emerged as a strong market in the areas of biopharmaceuticals and biotech, with several companies moving or expanding their presence, including:

• Eli Lilly, which has invested $2 billion in a manufacturing campus in nearby Concord.
• Greiner Bio-One, Brinox USA, Aptyx and groninger USA, global leaders in medtech and device manufacturing.
• Startups like DetraPel, a protective materials manufacturer; genomics company SNP Therapeutics; and Nufabrx, which blends biotechnology and wearable health.
• IRCAD, a global research and training institute and anchor at The Pearl.
• The North Carolina Research Campus, a 350-acre collaborative research center located north of Charlotte. The campus hosts research centers from eight universities, including the North Carolina State University’s Plants for Human Health Institute and Duke University’s Clinical Translational Science Institute.

And at the heart of the region’s healthcare workforce is Charlotte-based Advocate Health, the nation’s third-largest nonprofit health system, with more than 160,000 employees and serves more than 6 million patients annually.

Watch our video from The Pearl's official opening ceremony: