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Industries & Specialties

Life Sciences

Accelerating innovation for a better tomorrow
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Fueling discovery with real estate insight.

Your life sciences facilities need to do more than just house your work. They must fuel breakthrough research and adapt as you grow. We create real estate strategies that make discovery possible, from compliant manufacturing sites to flexible R&D campuses that scale with your needs.

Our teams understand the technical side of life sciences. Whether you're securing lab space or converting assets for biotech use, we provide data-driven market knowledge to lower risk and speed up decisions. We help you find the right location, turning real estate from a necessity into a strategic asset.

Ready to advance your life sciences strategy? Contact us today.

What Sets Us Apart

End-to-end expertise

We guide occupiers, investors, and developers through the entire life sciences real estate lifecycle. From site selection and lab build-outs to exit planning, our integrated approach ensures your real estate decisions align with your immediate needs and long-term goals.

Science-led, market-smart

Our advisors combine life sciences sector experience with real estate expertise. We understand the technical specifications and regulatory frameworks unique to these facilities, enabling us to identify opportunities that others may miss and deliver superior results.

Data-driven strategy

We leverage comprehensive labor analytics, cost benchmarking, and demand forecasting to provide actionable intelligence. Our data-rich insights help clients move faster and invest smarter where timing and location decisions have significant financial implications.

Talent-focused location strategy

Success in life sciences starts with specialized talent. We identify markets and sites that support recruitment and retention by evaluating workforce availability, proximity to research institutions, and infrastructure that attracts top professionals.

Future-ready facilities

We help clients create flexible, compliant environments that support both current research and future expansion. Our approach balances technical requirements with financial performance, whether developing new labs or converting existing assets.

Connected across markets

Our relationships span leading life sciences clusters and emerging hubs. We connect capital with opportunities, facilitate strategic partnerships, and help clients efficiently scale their footprint across multiple markets.

Services

Investor Services



Capital Markets


We connect life sciences investors with specialized acquisition opportunities and exit strategies. Our team understands how to value specialized infrastructure, assess tenant credit, and structure transactions that reflect the sector's growth.

Learn more about our capital markets

Agency Leasing


We position life sciences properties to attract high-quality tenants. Our specialists negotiate lease terms that reflect the sector's unique needs and implement marketing strategies that reach key decision-makers.

Learn more about our agency leasing services

Asset Services


Managing life sciences facilities requires specialized knowledge. Our teams deliver property management that maintains technical infrastructure, supports tenant research, and optimizes financial performance.

Learn more about our asset services

Valuation & Advisory


Life sciences properties require valuation approaches that account for specialized infrastructure and market dynamics. Our professionals provide accurate assessments to support investment decisions and financial reporting.

Learn more about our valuation & advisory

Project & Development Services


We manage development and construction to meet the sector's exacting standards. Our teams coordinate specialized contractors, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver facilities that support research from day one.

Learn more about our project development services

Energy & Sustainability Services


Life sciences facilities are energy-intensive. We implement sustainability strategies that reduce utility costs, improve building performance, and support your corporate ESG objectives without compromising research.


Occupier Services



Tenant Representation


We guide life sciences companies through site selection and leasing. Our team evaluates markets for talent and infrastructure, securing facilities that support your research and growth.

Learn more about our tenant representation

Supply Chain & Logistics Advisory


Life sciences require specialized logistics. We help you optimize your supply chain, from cold storage to last-mile distribution networks, ensuring compliance and efficiency.

Learn more about our supply chain & logistics advisory services

Location & Labor Analytics


Talent drives location decisions. We provide labor market analysis, evaluating workforce availability, compensation, and proximity to research institutions to help you recruit and retain top professionals.

Learn more about our workplace solutions

Project & Development Services


We manage the design and construction of your specialized facilities, from lab build-outs to manufacturing plants. Our experts oversee project budgets, timelines, and contractors to deliver compliant, research-ready environments that meet your technical and business goals.

Learn more about our project development services

Facility Services


Life sciences facilities need specialized operations. Our teams understand the technical systems, safety protocols, and regulations of lab environments, ensuring your research continues uninterrupted.

Learn more about our facility management services

Corporate Sustainability Services


We help life sciences firms integrate sustainability into their real estate strategies. Our approach balances your environmental goals with the operational needs of research and manufacturing facilities.

Specialization

Industry Expertise



Biotechnology


We understand the unique real estate needs of biotech companies, from early-stage wet labs to GMP manufacturing facilities. Our advisors help you secure flexible spaces, negotiate leases that align with funding, and find locations that attract specialized talent as you scale.

Pharmaceutical


We advise pharmaceutical companies on complex real estate strategies for R&D, clinical operations, and manufacturing. Our expertise covers site selection for research campuses, facility optimization, and portfolio management to support evolving drug development models across the U.S.

Healthcare & Medical Devices


We help medical device firms find facilities that support clean room manufacturing, R&D labs, and quality control. Our team assists with site identification for specialized production, regulatory approvals, and optimizing layouts for efficiency and FDA compliance.

Learn more about our healthcare expertise

Research Institutions


We provide real estate solutions for academic medical centers, hospitals, and non-profits. We advise on lab renovations, incubator development, and strategic partnerships to maximize research capacity while managing capital and budget constraints effectively.

Team

Erin Bruner Orange County Marketing Director
Erin Bruner

VP, Sector Marketing & Sales Enablement
Irvine, United States

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Jason D'Orlando (image)
Jason D'Orlando

Executive Managing Director, Project & Development Services
Raleigh, United States

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Connor Barnes
Connor Barnes

Executive Vice Chair
Boston, United States

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Deb Boucher 2026 Headshot.jpg
Deb Boucher

Vice Chair
Cary, United States

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Michael Cassolato
Michael Cassolato

Executive Director
San Diego, United States

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Doug Cook
Douglas Cook

Vice Chair
Cary, United States

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Shane Funston Philadelphia
Shane Funston

Managing Director
Philadelphia, United States

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Paul Garvey.jpg
Paul Garvey

Executive Managing Director
Conshohocken, United States

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billy hamner
Billy Hamner

Sales Enablement Manager - Global Occupier Services
Ashburn, United States

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Ben Paul (image)
Ben Paul

Vice Chairman
Burlingame, United States

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Marc_Pope_headshot
Marc Pope

Vice Chair
Burlingame, United States

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Brian Starck San Diego Leasing
Brian Starck

Executive Vice Chairman
San Diego, United States

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Jason Viane
Jason Viane

Senior Managing Director, Enterprise Sales
Chicago, United States

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Brett Ward
Brett Ward

Vice Chairman
San Diego, United States

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Contact Us

Properties

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Research

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Article • Investment / Capital Markets

Market Matters: Exploring Real Estate Investment Conditions & Trends

Explore current conditions, short-term developments and long-term economic trends so you can better understand their impact on the real estate investing environment.
8/24/2026
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Research • Investment / Capital Markets

​​Top Trends Across Cushman & Wakefield’s Multifamily Portfolio​

As the year unfolds, stronger occupancy gains and demand trends should cement quality as a defining strategy in the year ahead.
Sam Tenenbaum • 8/24/2026
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Article • Investment / Capital Markets

​​Deciphering Today’s Debt Market​

Take an in-depth look at everything you need to know about today’s debt market from who the buyers and sellers are in the current landscape and how they are addressing today’s challenges to which property sectors are the most favorable and why.
Abby Corbett • 3/19/2024
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Research • Investment / Capital Markets

Income is King | Midwest Investor Perspective

The Midwest is a compelling opportunity for investors as the region benefits from a comparatively low cost-of-entry while also having stable, economically diverse industrial markets that help protect investor income streams – especially during times of economic uncertainty​. ​
David Hoebbel • 1/22/2024
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Article • Sustainability / ESG

​Cushman & Wakefield: A Leader in Energy Star Certification 

Commercial real estate is the nation’s biggest user—and biggest spender—of energy, responsible for 17% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, with costs that exceed $100 billion each year. 
Jack Pufunt • 8/22/2023
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Article • Sustainability / ESG

​​Obtaining Sustainable Building Certifications​

There are a variety of factors that can influence which building certifications are best suited for your building(s), this article shares key insights regarding your sustainable next steps.   
Kate Scrimizzi • 6/22/2023
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Article • Sustainability / ESG

​​BEPS Compliance Planning Guide​

Cushman & Wakefield is here to provide assistance reviewing individual assets and portfolios to establish current energy use and performance, as well as develop a focused roadmap for compliance with this ordinance going forward. 
2/22/2023
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Article • Sustainability / ESG

Denver’s Innovative Building Performance Standard Legislation

On November 22, 2021, the Denver City Council unanimously passed Bill 21-1310 adopting a comprehensive building decarbonization policy for its existing 17,000 commercial and multifamily buildings. The ordinance has a unique building performance standard involving a “trajectory approach” to be applied to the city’s largest commercial and multifamily buildings.
Rachel Schiftan • 10/6/2022
Energy (image)
Article • Sustainability / ESG

ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager Building Emissions Calculator

In April 2022, the EPA unveiled their new ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager Emissions Calculator, a powerful tool that can estimate a building’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, support GHG emissions inventories, evaluate emissions under local building performance standards, and forecast the impact of changes in building efficiency and energy procurement.
Jack Pufunt • 9/28/2022
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Article • Technology

Global Tech Cities: Seattle

The Seattle market has been established tech market for decades. Seattle scores very high in several tech-related categories: number of graduates, job concentration, labor pool size, talent migration, et al.
Brian Cagayat • 8/16/2022
people at construction site
Article • Valuation

Why Cost Segregation Analysis Is a Critical Step When Constructing, Acquiring or Rehabbing

Building owners should make time for cost segregation analysis when acquiring, rehabbing or constructing a property. This service uncovers building components that are eligible for accelerated tax depreciation.
Jim Farrer • 8/2/2022
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Research • Investment / Capital Markets

Capital Markets 2022 U.S. Outlook

Capital markets will move into 2022 with tremendous momentum and liquidity. Job growth forecasts also point to record-setting year in 2022.
2/2/2022
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Life sciences facilities require specialized infrastructure including advanced HVAC systems, laboratory-grade utilities, chemical storage, and waste management systems. These properties also demand higher power loads, specialized ventilation, and compliance with safety regulations that significantly impact construction costs and operational expenses. We help clients navigate these technical requirements while optimizing financial performance. Our teams understand the engineering specifications, regulatory frameworks, and market dynamics that differentiate life sciences real estate from conventional commercial properties.

We guide early-stage biotech companies through site selection by evaluating incubator facilities, shared lab environments, and purpose-built spaces that align with their research programs and funding stage. Our approach considers laboratory infrastructure requirements, proximity to talent pools and research institutions, lease flexibility that accommodates growth uncertainty, and total occupancy costs. We negotiate lease terms that reflect the unique risk profile of venture-backed companies, often securing flexible expansion options and tenant improvement allowances that reduce upfront capital requirements.

The United States hosts several established life sciences clusters including Boston/Cambridge, San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, Research Triangle, and greater Philadelphia. Emerging markets like Austin, Denver, and Seattle are developing significant life sciences infrastructure supported by research universities and venture capital. Each market offers distinct advantages regarding talent availability, real estate costs, and industry specialization. We provide detailed market analysis that evaluates workforce depth, laboratory availability, capital access, and competitive positioning to help clients select optimal locations for their specific needs.

Life sciences property valuation requires specialized methodology that accounts for tenant improvement costs, building system specifications, and market-specific capitalization rates. We analyze comparable transactions involving laboratory facilities, assess the value of specialized infrastructure, evaluate tenant credit quality in venture-backed environments, and apply appropriate adjustments for property condition and location. Our valuation professionals understand how to quantify the premium associated with life sciences-ready infrastructure and provide accurate assessments that support acquisition decisions, portfolio management, and financial reporting.

Laboratory conversions require comprehensive evaluation of structural capacity, mechanical systems, electrical infrastructure, and site utilities. Critical factors include floor-to-floor heights that accommodate lab infrastructure, HVAC capacity for increased ventilation requirements, electrical service for higher power loads, and plumbing capacity for laboratory operations. We assess conversion feasibility, develop cost estimates that include both base building modifications and tenant improvements, evaluate permitting and regulatory requirements, and create project timelines. Our project management teams coordinate specialized contractors to deliver compliant, functional laboratory environments.

Life sciences facilities typically consume significantly more energy per square foot than conventional office space due to continuous ventilation, temperature control, and specialized equipment. We implement energy reduction strategies including HVAC optimization, laboratory fume hood controls, equipment scheduling, and renewable energy procurement. Our sustainability teams conduct energy audits, identify cost-effective efficiency measures, and develop implementation plans that reduce utility expenses without compromising the environmental controls essential for research operations. These initiatives typically deliver substantial energy cost reductions while supporting corporate sustainability objectives.

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