From the Research Triangle to hubs across the state, more than 800 life sciences companies drive innovation that improves lives worldwide. Life sciences manufacturing anchors local economies, from the Research Triangle to Wilmington, Sanford and the Triad. North Carolina has emerged as a national leader because we have historically prioritized policies that reward innovation. North Carolina became a national life sciences leader because we chose policies that encouraged discovery, investment and growth. Laura Gunter is president of the North Carolina Life Sciences Organization (NCLifeSci).