Insights from the 2026 UMT/KOP Life Sciences Report

King of Prussia District has released its 2026 Upper Merion Township/King of Prussia (UMT/KOP) Life Sciences Report, highlighting King of Prussia’s important role in Greater Philadelphia’s life sciences industry.

The report examines life sciences trends, real estate market performance, major employers and investments. As part of Greater Philadelphia’s established life sciences ecosystem, UMT/KOP supports a range of activities, including research and development, pharmaceutical manufacturing and industry collaboration.

Here are five key insights from the report:

1. Greater Philadelphia offers a strong life sciences talent base and research ecosystem.
   The region supported more than 53,000 direct life sciences jobs in 2024 and ranked seventh nationally for life sciences R&D talent in CBRE’s 2026 assessment, reflecting its concentration of research institutions and skilled workers.
2. King of Prussia/Valley Forge is Greater Philadelphia’s leading suburban life sciences submarket.
   With approximately 2.9M SF of inventory, the submarket accounts for nearly 46% of the region’s suburban life sciences space. Average asking rents of $58.47/SF/year in Q2 2026 approached the urban average of $60.04/SF/year, reinforcing its position as a premier suburban market.
3. King of Prussia supports a diverse life sciences industry anchored by global employers.
   GSK, CSL Behring and SK pharmteco are among the area’s largest life sciences occupiers. Local companies span drug discovery, clinical research, diagnostics, biomanufacturing and specialized services, supporting activities from research and development through commercial production.
4. Infrastructure, accessibility and amenities make UMT/KOP an attractive location for life sciences companies.
   Case studies of GSK, CSL Behring and Life Sciences Pennsylvania highlight how the area’s established pharmaceutical industry, specialized facilities, regional accessibility and wide range of amenities (e.g., retail, dining and healthcare services) support their long-term presence in UMT/KOP.
5. Continued investment in advanced manufacturing is shaping King of Prussia’s life sciences outlook.
   GSK plans to invest more than $800M in a new biologics manufacturing facility in Upper Merion, creating 300 jobs and targeting operations by 2030. SK pharmteco also announced a $100M global investment in viral vector manufacturing, including King of Prussia. These investments, along with the potential repositioning of existing facilities, will help shape the area’s life sciences future.

Read the full 2026 UMT/KOP Life Sciences Report here.