Biden-Harris Administration Designates Tech Hub in Philadelphia Region to Develop Precision Medicine and Improve Health Equity

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today announced that Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech Hub in Pennsylvania was designated as one of the 31 inaugural Tech Hubs in regions across the country that show potential for rapid growth in key technology sectors.

The Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech Hub, a consortium led by Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, will leverage the region’s life sciences assets and research and development expertise to weave together applications in biotechnology, medical technology, genomic, synthetic biology, machine learning, robotics, and others. These efforts aim to position the Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech Hub as a global leader in end-to-end precision medicine, delivering new ways to diagnose, prevent, and treat diseases and increasing evidence-based technology applications to decrease health disparities.

This designation is part of the first phase of the novel Tech Hubs program, authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, that will invest directly in high-potential U.S. regions and aim to transform them into globally competitive innovation centers. Designation is an endorsement of the region’s strategy to supercharge their respective technological industry to create jobs and strengthen U.S. economic and national security. Designated Tech Hubs are now eligible to apply for the next phase of the Tech Hubs Program that will invest between $50-$75 million in each of 5-10 Designated Hubs.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is rooted in policies that will empower the United States to out-innovate and out-compete the rest of the world. Our Tech Hubs Program is fundamental to that mission and will supercharge innovation across the nation by spurring cutting-edge technological investments and creating 21st century job opportunities in people’s backyards,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Each of these consortia will help us ensure the industries of the future—and their good-paying jobs—start, grow, and remain in the United States.”

“These outstanding consortia exemplify place-based economic development strategies at their best: combining federal resources with regional assets, expertise, and coalitions to implement transformational opportunities,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “As each region develops its own strategy to catalyze innovation and job creation, the entire nation grows more secure and more competitive.”

“Pennsylvania’s biotech industry is changing the world – from the Nobel laureates who developed the mRNA vaccine technology to the entrepreneurs and researchers working on the next discovery – and my Administration is all in on growing the life sciences sector in Pennsylvania,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. “President Biden and our federal partners recognize this too, and I’m proud the Greater Philadelphia region has been recognized as one of just a few inaugural tech hubs around the country. This designation sends a clear message to the public and private sectors that Pennsylvania will continue to lead the way to find the next cure, save lives, and improve public health for all Americans.”  

“Biotechnology and chemistry has always been a part of Delaware’s DNA. Today, our region has been designated as a Tech Hub by the Biden-Harris Administration to focus on improving health equity,” said Delaware Governor John Carney. “By teaming up with our neighbors in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware — including our NIIMBL biopharmaceutical manufacturing institute at the University of Delaware — will help generate solutions for some of the most prevalent health issues in our nation with innovative technologies.”

“I fought for Greater Philadelphia’s tech hub designation because there is no better place suited to lead the critical precision medicine field,” said Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey. “This transformative investment will further cement Southeastern Pennsylvania as a national and global leader in medical innovation. As a tech hub and a hydrogen hub, Philadelphia and the region are paving the way to our Nation’s economic future.”

“I applaud this effort from the Biden Administration. You should not have to move to Silicon Valley or Seattle to develop next-generation technologies. This tech hub designation and grant funding will go a long way in getting more high-tech investments to PA, developing our STEM workforce in PA, and making sure Philly leads the world in high-tech medicine for generations to come,” said Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman.

“Our region’s first-class workforce, combined with our history of medical innovation and robust supply chains, makes this a great place to invest in the tech economy,” said Delaware Senator Tom Carper. “The potential for collaboration and exchange of new ideas is endless, and Delaware is well positioned to be a strong partner in this regional tech hub.”

“I am proud to see our tri-state area designated as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub, and I look forward to our region continuing to lead the country and the world in biotechnology and precision medicine,” said Delaware Senator Chris Coons. “Our stellar universities, dynamic businesses, and culture of innovation make Delaware a strong choice for a Technology Hub that will create new jobs while helping develop cutting-edge cures for deadly diseases.”

“The Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech Hub will develop and deliver technology with new ways to diagnose, prevent, and treat harmful diseases,” said New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez. “I’m proud that this initiative will leverage New Jersey’s robust life sciences industry in order to better ensure inequities in health care are reduced through evidence-based technology and medicine. Thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act, Tech Hub programs sharpen our competitive edge in science and technology while creating good-paying jobs for American across the country.”

“This tech hub designation is well-earned recognition for our region for the cutting-edge research and innovation taking place, especially in the life sciences. I was proud to vote for the CHIPS and Science Act, which will drive investment to our tech hubs, create jobs, and strengthen our national competitiveness,” said New Jersey Senator Cory Booker.

“Congratulations to Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA and North Central Pressed Materials Strategy Development Consortium for being named Pennsylvania’s Tech Hub designees which reflects your creativity, teamwork, and commitment to our Commonwealth,” said Representative Madeleine Dean (PA-04). “It’s crucial that we support innovation in manufacturing, medicine, and beyond — and support those leading the way. So, I’m thrilled to see your hard work recognized. Thank you for your work in Pennsylvania that can help transform our communities.”

“As the Congresswoman for Pennsylvania’s 5th District, I am lucky to represent so many life science leaders that have positioned our region as a global leader in end-to-end precision medicine,” said Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05). “I worked hard alongside Ben Franklin Technology Partners to secure the competitive Tech Hub designation for this exciting sector of our local economy, and I look forward to championing opportunities for hardworking Pennsylvanians to tap into this once-in-a-lifetime investment.”

“This is a great day for Pennsylvania and for our country,” said Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06). “As an engineer and chemistry teacher, I know our Commonwealth has long been recognized as a leader in STEM innovation, manufacturing, and education excellence and I’m so pleased that we will be home to one of our country’s first tech hubs to innovate and improve health care processes.  Thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act and the Economic Development Administration, southeastern Pennsylvania will continue to bring more good paying jobs to our region and advance cutting edge health care initiatives.”

“The capacity of Delaware and its regional partners to pave the way for the future of research and development, manufacturing, and innovation was just expanded to the largest scale imaginable,” said Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-01). “Today’s monumental announcement – that the Greater Philadelphia Region has been designated as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub – underscores just how critical a role our region plays in building a powerful economy consisting of effective partnerships, innovative technologies, and good-paying, American jobs. I am proud to have championed the CHIPS and Science Act in Congress which made today’s announcement possible, and express my gratitude to the Biden Administration, Senator Carper, and Senator Coons, as well as the diligent staff in my office for working together to see the potential of Delaware and our region realized in this impactful way.”

“The CHIPS and Science Act continues to invest in critical industries across the country and deliver for South Jersey,” said Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-01). “The Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech Hub will turbocharge our health care and technology industries, create good-paying jobs and spur economic development while making our communities healthier. South Jersey is proud to be a global leader in medical research and innovation, and this investment by Biden-Harris Administration will ensure that our region and workforce continue to transform communities at home and around the world. I look forward to working with the Administration and stakeholders to ensure that our Tech Hub has the support and resources it needs to be successful and improve health outcomes through investment, innovation, and technology.”

“I am proud to see the CHIPS and Science Act hard at work uplifting incredible innovation here in America. As part of one of the first Tech Hubs, local researchers and manufacturers transforming precision medicine will have a whole new level of support to grow their ideas, create new jobs, and be a global leader. Most importantly, I am proud that this hub will create new ways to help people battling illness and disease in our communities. It will also go a long way toward breaking down crippling and unjust disparities in healthcare access and treatment. I look forward to seeing this designation and all the Tech Hubs continue to unlock opportunity and growth across the country,” said Representative Andy Kim (NJ-03).

The 31 Tech Hubs were selected from 198 applications from regional consortia that include industry, academia, state and local governments, economic development organizations, and labor and workforce partners. The Tech Hubs span regions across 32 states and Puerto Rico and represent a cross section of urban and rural regions.

For a full list of Tech Hubs, visit TechHubs.gov.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.