The Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) recently joined Utah’s delegation at the BIO International Convention in Boston—one of the world’s largest gatherings for life sciences and biotech leaders. Alongside partners from BioUtah, the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, the Point, World Trade Center Utah, Salt Lake City Economic Development, the Utah System of Higher Education, and the University of Utah, we showcased Utah’s rising status as a national leader in biomedical innovation and advanced manufacturing.
Utah: A Life Sciences Powerhouse
Over the past decade, Utah’s life sciences sector has grown at an annual rate of 5.1%, outpacing the national average of 3.5%. Today, the industry supports 40,419 direct jobs across 1,845 business establishments. When factoring in indirect employment, the total impact reaches approximately 195,000 jobs statewide.
Utah bioscience companies attracted nearly $900 million in venture capital between 2018 and 2021—a dramatic rise from just $181.7 million in 2018—and generated close to 1,900 bioscience-related patents during the same period. This growth reflects strong investor confidence and a highly productive innovation ecosystem.
UIPA: Building the Backbone for Growth
UIPA’s role in accelerating this momentum centers on infrastructure and logistics. We are:
- Partnering with Salt Lake City International Airport to expand air cargo service and capacity
- Investing in rail infrastructure to improve access for raw material imports and finished product exports
- Developing real estate across Utah, including in our Northwest Quadrant Project Area, which offers millions of square feet for industrial use and potential tax rebates up to 30% for life sciences firms
With sites across the state—including in rural areas eager to welcome high-value jobs—we’re helping companies scale while expanding opportunity throughout Utah.
One-Stop Access to Talent and Collaboration
UIPA works closely with BioUtah, GOEO, the Utah System of Higher Education, and others to connect life sciences companies with workforce pipelines and key stakeholders. Our Northwest Quadrant Project Area is also strategically located: within 20 minutes of the University of Utah, 40 minutes to Weber State, and 45 minutes to Utah Valley University and Brigham Young University.
Together with our partners, UIPA is building the infrastructure life sciences companies need to thrive—and making Utah a leading destination for innovation, investment, and long-term impact.
Author: Kaitlin Felsted
Published: 06/23./25