Oregon Life Sciences Competitiveness Task Force
Oregon's next medical advances should be made in Oregon.
State and federal leaders, universities, cities and companies are working together on one question: what Oregon needs to grow its life sciences industry. More treatments developed here means better health outcomes for Oregonians and beyond, and more good jobs across the state.
Why this work, why now
Treatments used around the world began in Oregon labs and clinics, from the first successful artificial mitral valve to Gleevec, the leukemia drug pioneered at OHSU. A stronger life sciences industry means more of the next treatments are developed and made here.
The Task Force will recommend what Oregon needs to compete for that work, from workforce training to sites ready for labs and manufacturing.
28,029
people worked directly in Oregon bioscience in 2023
$102,426
average private bioscience wage, vs. $67,207 across Oregon's private sector (2023)
$750 million
Genentech's Hillsboro expansion, announced in 2026: about 250 permanent jobs by 2031
Sources: Oregon Bio 2025 Economic Impact Report [title to confirm]; Genentech release [date to confirm].
Investment already coming to Oregon
Donors and companies are putting major resources into Oregon life sciences. The Task Force's recommendations aim to keep that investment growing.
$2 billion
Phil and Penny Knight's gift to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, announced Aug. 14, 2025. It is the largest single donation ever made to a U.S. university, college or academic health center.
Source: ASCO Post, Sept. 10, 2025 · [Swap in OHSU release]
$1 billion
Raised through the Knight Cancer Challenge. In 2013, the Knights pledged $500 million if OHSU could match it within two years. More than 10,000 donors, Gert Boyle and the Oregon Legislature closed the gap, and the funds helped launch OHSU's early cancer detection program.
Source: ASCO Post, Sept. 10, 2025 · [Confirm match date with OHSU]
80+ jobs
Lonza's new commercial spray-drying facility at its Bend site, announced Sept. 10, 2026 and expected to be completed in 2029. It builds on Bend Research, founded in Bend in 1975 and now part of Lonza, which pioneered spray-dried dispersions for drugs that dissolve poorly.
Source: CHEManager, Sept. 10, 2026 · [Swap in Lonza release]
Who leads the Task Force
Oregon Business Council and Oregon Life Sciences convene the Task Force. Three tri-chairs lead it.
Tri-chair
Rep. Hai Pham, D.M.D.
Oregon House District 16
Tri-chair
Sen. Ron Wyden
U.S. Senate
Tri-chair
Tim Layton
Government Affairs, Genentech
Coordinated by Liisa Bozinovic, Special Advisor, Oregon Life Sciences, and Andrew Desmond, Oregon Business Council. See member organizations
What the Task Force is working on
Four working subcommittees carry the detailed work across these focus areas.
1
Strengthening workforce and talent pipelines
Help students start life science careers
2
Advancing innovation and commercialization
3
Supporting business growth and manufacturing expansion
4
Improving infrastructure and site readiness
5
Identifying policy and investment priorities
6
Increasing Oregon's national competitiveness and visibility
Timeline
-
April 2026
Inaugural meeting in Portland
-
May to Sept. 2026
Working groups, stakeholder engagement and statewide surveys
-
Aug. to Oct. 2026
Recommendations refined and prioritized
-
Sept. 24, 2026
Midpoint update at the OLS Annual Conference, OMSI
-
Oct. 14, 2026
Task Force meets in Bend
-
Nov. 19, 2026
Task Force meets in Corvallis
-
December 2026
Recommendations made public
-
2027
Recommendations go to the Biotech Caucus, the Governor's Prosperity Council and the Oregon Legislature's 2027 session
Oregon Life Sciences Competitiveness Task Force
Oregon's next medical advances should be made in Oregon.
State and federal leaders, universities, cities and companies are working together on one question: what Oregon needs to grow its life sciences industry. More treatments developed here means better health outcomes for Oregonians and beyond, and more good jobs across the state.
Why this work, why now
Treatments used around the world began in Oregon labs and clinics, from the first successful artificial mitral valve to Gleevec, the leukemia drug pioneered at OHSU. A stronger life sciences industry means more of the next treatments are developed and made here.
The Task Force will recommend what Oregon needs to compete for that work, from workforce training to sites ready for labs and manufacturing.
28,029
people worked directly in Oregon bioscience in 2023
$102,426
average private bioscience wage, vs. $67,207 across Oregon's private sector (2023)
$750 million
Genentech's Hillsboro expansion, announced in 2026: about 250 permanent jobs by 2031
Sources: Oregon Bio 2025 Economic Impact Report [title to confirm]; Genentech release [date to confirm].
Investment already coming to Oregon
Donors and companies are putting major resources into Oregon life sciences. The Task Force's recommendations aim to keep that investment growing.
$2 billion
Phil and Penny Knight's gift to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, announced Aug. 14, 2025. It is the largest single donation ever made to a U.S. university, college or academic health center.
Source: ASCO Post, Sept. 10, 2025 · [Swap in OHSU release]
$1 billion
Raised through the Knight Cancer Challenge. In 2013, the Knights pledged $500 million if OHSU could match it within two years. More than 10,000 donors, Gert Boyle and the Oregon Legislature closed the gap, and the funds helped launch OHSU's early cancer detection program.
Source: ASCO Post, Sept. 10, 2025 · [Confirm match date with OHSU]
80+ jobs
Lonza's new commercial spray-drying facility at its Bend site, announced Sept. 10, 2026 and expected to be completed in 2029. It builds on Bend Research, founded in Bend in 1975 and now part of Lonza, which pioneered spray-dried dispersions for drugs that dissolve poorly.
Source: CHEManager, Sept. 10, 2026 · [Swap in Lonza release]
Who leads the Task Force
Oregon Business Council and Oregon Life Sciences convene the Task Force. Three tri-chairs lead it.
Tri-chair
Rep. Hai Pham, D.M.D.
Oregon House District 16
Tri-chair
Sen. Ron Wyden
U.S. Senate
Tri-chair
Tim Layton
Government Affairs, Genentech
Coordinated by Liisa Bozinovic, Special Advisor, Oregon Life Sciences, and Andrew Desmond, Oregon Business Council. See member organizations
What the Task Force is working on
Four working subcommittees carry the detailed work across these focus areas.
Strengthening workforce and talent pipelines
Help students start life science careersAdvancing innovation and commercialization
Supporting business growth and manufacturing expansion
Improving infrastructure and site readiness
Identifying policy and investment priorities
Increasing Oregon's national competitiveness and visibility
Timeline
-
April 2026
Inaugural meeting in Portland
-
May to Sept. 2026
Working groups, stakeholder engagement and statewide surveys
-
Aug. to Oct. 2026
Recommendations refined and prioritized
-
Sept. 24, 2026
Midpoint update at the OLS Annual Conference, OMSI
-
Oct. 14, 2026
Task Force meets in Bend
-
Nov. 19, 2026
Task Force meets in Corvallis
-
December 2026
Recommendations made public
-
2027
Recommendations go to the Biotech Caucus, the Governor's Prosperity Council and the Oregon Legislature's 2027 session