BIO 2026: Drug manufacturers band together to tackle employment challenges

American pharmaceutical companies are facing rising demand for medicines and have decided to collaborate through trade associations rather than compete for local talent. At the BIO 2026 conference in San Diego (June 22–25), representatives of pharmaceutical companies and trade associations shared positive experiences using state-wide forums to coordinate with local governments and higher education institutions. This collaboration aims to ensure that workforce size and qualifications meet production demands. North Carolina has become a major recipient of investments, with J&J and Roche committing $2 billion each in 2025 and 2026 respectively. Initiatives such as the Biotech Manufacturers Forum in North Carolina and Oregon Life Sciences enable companies to share recruitment plans and talent strategies that would otherwise be kept confidential from competitors.