Mid-Atlantic Life Sciences & Biotech Summit

What You'll Learn

After an explosive pandemic-era expansion, the Mid-Atlantic life sciences market is undergoing a reset. According to Cushman & Wakefield, availability in Suburban Maryland alone has climbed to a record 20.2%, with 14% vacancy and more space expected to hit the market as venture funding slows, federal budget cuts reduce new tenant formation, and several firms face bankruptcy or capital shortfalls. 

These conditions are pushing landlords to rethink their strategies. Owners of large life science blocks are actively pursuing medical office conversions, alternative uses, and flexible buildouts to widen the tenant pool and stabilize occupancy. The market’s transition is reshaping underwriting assumptions and forcing a sharper focus on adaptable, future-proof space.

For tenants, this is a highly favorable moment: rental rates remain steady in the low-to-mid $40s psf, while landlords are offering shorter terms, richer concessions, and more negotiable deal structures. Early-stage companies, in particular, are gravitating toward spec suites and second-generation lab space that minimize upfront capital.

For market participants, success will hinge on flexibility, creative repositioning, and understanding a tenant-driven landscape in flux. Join our panel of experts, from venture capitalists to developers, occupiers and associations, to understand how to position yourself best for success in today's evolving and rapidly-changing market.

What You'll Learn: 

• How are changes in tenant demand for life sciences spaces influencing the design and development of lab and office environments, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic, and what trends are emerging to accommodate evolving needs in functionality, flexibility, and sustainability?
• With the current supply and demand imbalance in major lab markets, how are developers and investors adjusting their strategies for life sciences companies over the next 12 to 18 months?
• As the region's life sciences market sees positive absorption, especially with recent leases like BeMoreLabs, how can developers and investors capitalize on the demand for lab space in the area amidst rising construction costs?
• Given the shifts in policies under the Trump administration, how do you expect changes in drug pricing strategies, supply chain regulations and acquisition activity to impact life sciences real estate demand?
• How can Maryland, DC and Virginia invest in innovation programs to help enhance their role as a leader in life sciences innovation and support small businesses entering the market?

Who You'll Meet: Developers, owners, investors, construction, designers, architects, financial professionals and more!

Projects:

WMATA Selects Developer For 14-Acre Life Sciences District At North Bethesda Station
Inside The Cell Therapeutics Plant Kicking Off AstraZeneca's $3.5B U.S. Push
Pharmaceutical Giant Moving Out Of 635K SF Building In Rockville
Wexford is launching Connect Labs Baltimore in winter 2024, a 35,000-square-foot facility offering pre-built lab, office space, and amenities for emerging life sciences, biomedical, tech, and data science companies

For questions, recommendations, comments, press inquiries, or if you are interested in sponsoring, please email our Director of Event Production, Elizabeth Baker, at liz.baker@bisnow.com. To request disability-related accommodations, please contact sabrina.cole@bisnow.com no later than seven business days prior to the event.

WANT THE ATTENDEE LIST FOR FREE?

Biscred gives you access to 5.9 million commercial real estate contacts and powerful filters built for CRE: search by industry, asset class experience, property count, job seniority, metros, and more. Book a demo today and get the attendee list for free when you mention this promotion.

Want to get a recap of everything covered at the event?

Purchase the post-event summary and get the highlights sent to you in a post-event summary. Purchase here.