Greater Philadelphia has become one of the country’s fastest-growing life sciences hubs, and this year’s Philadelphia Business Journal Best Places to Work finalists prove it. Each year, they set out to find which local companies offer the best workplace experiences through its Best Places to Work awards program.
Alongside law firms, construction companies, and marketing agencies, a strong cluster of pharma, biotech, clinical research, and healthcare-focused companies made the list, a reflection of just how deep the region’s life sciences bench has become.
From clinical-stage drug developers to the engineers who design their labs, here’s a spotlight on the life sciences and healthcare-adjacent finalists this year.
Biotech & Pharma
Paratek Pharmaceuticals (Medium Company Finalist) A biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel antibiotics to treat serious bacterial infections, including its FDA-approved therapy for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and skin infections.
iECURE (Small Company Finalist) A clinical-stage gene editing and gene therapy company working on curative treatments for rare and life-threatening genetic diseases, particularly in pediatric liver conditions.
Verismo Therapeutics (Small Company Finalist) A clinical-stage biotech developing next-generation CAR-T cell therapies aimed at treating solid tumors and other hard-to-treat cancers.
Clinical Research & Drug Development Services
PSI CRO (Large Company Finalist) A global contract research organization (CRO) that runs clinical trials on behalf of pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors, managing everything from trial design to regulatory submission.
inSeption Group LLC (Large Company Finalist) A clinical research and drug development consultancy that helps pharma and biotech companies navigate trial operations, from early-phase studies through commercialization.
Criterion Laboratories Inc. (Medium Company Finalist) An analytical and clinical laboratory testing provider supporting pharmaceutical, biotech, and other regulated industries with quality and compliance testing services.
Life Sciences Infrastructure & Facilities
Precis Engineering + Architecture (Large Company Finalist) An Ambler, PA-based engineering and architecture firm founded in 2005 that designs highly technical facilities — labs, cleanrooms, and production spaces — for pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare clients across the region.
NDRI (National Disease Research Interchange) (Small Company Finalist) A Philadelphia-based nonprofit that procures and distributes human biospecimens — tissues, organs, and cells — to researchers nationwide working to better understand and treat disease.
Healthcare Data, Marketing & Professional Communities
PurpleLab (Small Company Finalist) A healthcare data analytics company providing claims and real-world data platforms used by life sciences companies, payers, and health systems to inform decision-making.
VIVO Agency LLC (Micro Company Finalist) A healthcare marketing and creative agency focused on the MedTech, diagnostics, pharma, and consumer health space, helping brands launch and grow in complex regulatory markets.
Vault Communications (Medium Company Finalist) A public relations and marketing agency built specifically to serve healthcare and life sciences clients, from hospital systems to biotech startups.
Sagefrog Marketing Group (Small Company Finalist) A B2B marketing agency with a significant client base in the life sciences and healthcare sectors, supporting demand generation and brand strategy for scientific and technical companies.
