BioDFW actively fosters the growth of the area’s broad life sciences market and research activities.  The working alliance includes industry, government, education and supporting organizations that promote the life sciences industry.

The Dallas/Fort Worth region is a fast growing center for the life sciences. The area boasts over 40 colleges, universities and special research facilities offering programs in bioengineering, bioinformatics biology, chemistry, genomics, nanoscience, pharmacology, proteomics and other life science disciplines and research opportunities. 

Over 4,600 doctoral degrees have been granted in the last decade; 241 in science and engineering in 2005 alone.  DFW has over 455 life science firms, ranging from established pharmaceutical and medical device companies to companies in the early development stages.  DFW hosts 38 basic chemical manufacturing facilities, 32 pharmaceutical and medical facilities, 215 medical equipment and supply facilities, and 170 scientific R&D firms.

DFW is rapidly establishing a significant presence in this arena.  In a recent bio/life sciences study conducted for the Greater Philadelphia region by the Milken Institute (June 2005), DFW was the only southwestern metro identified among the top 10 "life science poles" in the U.S.

DFW is home to five Nobel Laureates and 16 National Academy of Sciences members. High-quality academic institutions are generating new discoveries, inventions, patents and spin-off companies from internationally acclaimed institutions such as the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Baylor Research Institute, Texas A&M Health Science Center-Baylor College of Dentistry, The University of Texas at Arlington and The University of Texas at Dallas.

Established anchor companies such as Alcon Laboratories and Texas Instruments demonstrate the ability to recruit biotech companies to the region. ACS, Perot Systems and EDS help healthcare organizations provide technology and service offerings that meet the critical needs of the healthcare market.

Entrepreneurial spirit has helped the growth of ODC Therapy, Cumbre, Reata, Tissuegen, Oxysure and Hemobiotech.  Business development assistance providers such as Tech Fort Worth, NTEC, Arlington Technology Incubator, Biotech Manufacturing Center of Texas and the planned life sciences industrial business and research park at UT Southwestern support early stage companies throughout the region.