Accelerating the future of life sciences

Pittsburgh stands at the inTERSECTION

Where cutting-edge clinical research and emerging technologies converge to change the future of human health innovation.

Integrated Health Systems

With the headquarters of UPMC and Highmark Health, Pittsburgh is also home to two top-ranked health systems where care, research, and innovation coalesce—accelerating breakthroughs from discovery to deployment.

Leading AI & Life Sciences Institutions

Two top tier research universities, University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, are within one square mile and embody the future where AI and biotechnology intersect to open new frontiers of discovery.

Robotics & Manufacturing

Born from Pittsburgh’s industrial roots, the region now leads the way in manufacturing and robotics—driving the next generation of precision tools and smart devices for life sciences.

Technical prowess, clinical excellence, and extraordinary talent drive innovation & growth

Pittsburgh is the birthplace of AI and home to world-class technical and scientific talent in analytics, robotics, clinical research, and advanced manufacturing. Its diverse talent pool makes it a hotspot for cross-industry collaboration, and its affordable cost of living makes it an ideal home for startups and founders to build and thrive.

MEDICAL DEVICE MANUFACTURERS

68+

News

Generative AI company Abridge scores $300M series E backed by a16z and Khosla Ventures

News

Gov. Shapiro makes pitch for $50 million for life sciences and other similar areas of research

LIFE SCIENCES PUBLICATIONS

100,000+

2018 - 2023

life sciences JOBS

15,500

News

CNBC Disruptor 50: ElevateBio CEO Ger Brophy on AI and CRISPR for rare disease

pittsburgh IS BUILDING THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL LIFE SCIENCES INNOVATION

Built on world-class talent and leading-edge discoveries, rooted in Steel City grit.

Where AI Meets Biotech

Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh stand at the epicenter of AI and biotech.

Carnegie Mellon University is the birthplace of AI and has the top AI program in the nation, and a track record of producing entrepreneurs at the forefront of emerging technology.

The University of Pittsburgh is a top recipient of NIH funding, mobilizing over $1.2B a year to support R+D. The University of Pittsburgh's premiere medical school hosts nationally leading programs in multiple specialties.

Their capabilities are not just complementary, they are purposefully collaborative with joint endeavours like the Pittsburgh Super Computing Center and their joint PhD program in Computational Biology that drive the sector forward.

2 leading systems, 50+ hospitals, 11M+ lives under contract

Pittsburgh is home to two nationally ranked integrated finance and delivery networks—Highmark Health and UPMC—offering world-class clinical expertise and vast data resources that fuel life sciences and healthcare technology innovation.

Both systems actively invest in the future, with venture portfolios and startup accelerators driving breakthroughs. UPMC Enterprises alone has committed over $1 billion in the past five years to turn bold ideas into thriving businesses and transformative medicine.

Dynamic, growing innovation cluster

The unique ecosystem of manufacturing giants, global life sciences companies, and pioneering start-ups powers prominent industry clusters in connected medical devices, data-driven healthcare, and Next-Gen therapeutics.

Research Powerhouse

Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh stand at the epicenter of computing and computational biology.

CMU is the birthplace of AI and has the top AI program in the nation, and a track record of producing entrepreneurs at the forefront of emerging technology. 

Pitt is a top recipient of NIH funding. mobilizing over $1.2B a year to support R+D. Pitt’s premiere medical school hosts nationally leading programs in multiple specialties.

Their capabilities are not just complementary, they are purposefully collaborative with joint endeavours like the Pittsburgh Super Computing Center and their joint PhD program in Computational Biology that drive the sector forward. 

Carnegie Mellon University Quick Facts:

  • Birthplace of AI
  • #1 AI and #2 computer science graduate programs
  • 21 Nobel Laureates

University of Pittsburgh Quick Facts:

  • $1B in Life Sciences R&D in 2025
  • 444 invention disclosures in 2025
  • Tier 1 - Best Medical Schools for Research

Connected Medical Devices

Pittsburgh has long been a leader in advanced manufacturing and is a global leader in robotics innovation and application, with assets like the Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute. The region is home to over 60 medical device companies and large acquisitions have incentivized global companies such as Smith + Nephew, Phillps, and Zoll to create a large presence locally. This advantage is only strengthened as companies pursue digital transformation via AI and data integration into clinical systems and workflows.

Learn more about some of the companies innovating the Medical Device category:
Bayer
Omnicell
Philips Respironics
Zoll
Smith & Nephew

NextGen Therapeutics

Advancements in AI, machine learning, and computational biology are also fueling the discovery of new precision therapeutics in the Pittsburgh region. The construction of the state-of-the-art biomanufacturing facility - BioForge - and attraction of ElevateBio, paired with well-established regional expertise in automation and advanced manufacturing, position greater Pittsburgh to leapfrog to the forefront in manufacturing precision biologics as the world continues moving toward precision medicine. 

Learn more about some of Pittsburgh's NextGen Therapeutic companies driving the industry:
Cook Myosite

Peptilogics
BlueSphere Bio
Krystal Biotech
Biohaven

Data Driven Healthcare

Top-ranked academic programs in AI, cybersecurity, and computer engineering have already attracted many of the top technology brands in the world to develop a presence and partnerships in Pittsburgh. When applied to the robust data generated by the region’s two largest health systems, combined with biorepositories, and over $1B in annual NIH research funding, it creates an unmatched advantage in health information and informatics, computational biology, and AI deployed healthcare technology. 

Learn more about some of the companies driving Data-Driven Healthcare:
Net Health

Free Market Health

Abridge

Solventum

TeleTracking

World-Class Clinical Care

Pittsburgh is home to two nationally ranked integrated finance and delivery networks—Highmark Health and UPMC—offering world-class clinical expertise and vast data resources that fuel life sciences innovation.

Both systems actively invest in the future, with venture portfolios and startup accelerators driving breakthroughs. UPMC Enterprises alone has committed over $1 billion in the past five years to turn bold ideas into thriving businesses and transformative medicine

UPMC Quick Facts

  • $28B health care provider and insurer
  • 40 hospitals
  • UPMC Enterprises innovation, commercialization, and venture arm

Highmark Health Quick Facts

  • $29B blended health organization
  • 14 hospitals, 275 care sites
  • 7+ million insured members

News, resources & insights

The future of life sciences is unfolding here—explore below for the latest highlights, headlines, and thought leadership.

upcoming events

Explore upcoming events that bring our life sciences community together.

HLTH Heroes and Legends Conference

October 19, 2025
- Oct 22, 2025
Las Vegas, Nevada
PLSA Hosted
PLSA Sponsored

EVERYONE has a heroic story to tell, their own legend to fulfill and HLTH is forging ahead into new realms of possibilities, gathering 12,000+ influential leaders, executives and visionaries who are passionately creating the next generation of healthcare.

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Forging the Future: The Intersection of Health, AI & Tech

October 19, 2025
- Oct 22, 2025
Pittsburgh, PA
PLSA Hosted
PLSA Sponsored

Presented by the GFCC and Council on Competitiveness, in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, this unique event will combine the flagship GFCC Global Innovation Summit and a special edition of the CoC’s Competitiveness Conversations Across America.

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Vision to Venture: An Innovation Ecosystem at the Intersection of Cutting-Edge Clinical Excellence and Emerging Technologies

October 20, 2025
-
The Venetian, Las Vegas
PLSA Hosted
PLSA Sponsored

​Featuring Leaders from: Abridge, Highmark Health, UPMC Enterprises, Ahavi, and Penguin AI

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Ready to connect?

Companies

Looking to grow or expand in the Pittsburgh region? We can connect you to the right partners and help you troubleshoot growth barriers.

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Talent

Looking to move to, stay in, or recently relocated to the Pittsburgh region? Dynamic start-ups, growth stage, and mature companies are looking for top talent. We can help you connect with the right people and bring your skills and talent to this ecosystem.

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Investors

Looking to invest? From pre-seed to growth stage, to highly profitable mature companies, there are life sciences and healthcare technologies across all sub-sectors that could offer value to your portfolio.

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