Conejo Valley’s life science moment has arrived | Opinion
For decades, the Conejo Valley has quietly shaped the future of biotechnology. Amgen’s early presence in Thousand Oaks laid the foundation for a life science cluster that now spans the 101 Corridor including the cities of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and Agoura Hills. Today, that foundation has evolved into a full-scale innovation ecosystem fueled by major investments, expanding companies, and a wave of emerging start-ups.
The Conejo Valley’s biotech community is broad, diverse, and accelerating. Advanced manufacturing firms, cell and gene therapy pioneers, non-opioid pain therapeutic platforms, and venture-backed start-ups are growing side by side. This convergence is reshaping our economic landscape and elevating the Conejo Valley as a rising hub for high-impact science.
In the past two years, several significant investments have propelled this momentum. In 2024, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies completed its expanded Thousand Oaks cell therapy manufacturing facility, adding new cGMP suites, upgraded labs, and increased cleanroom capacity to support new client programs.
This year, Amgen and Takeda — longstanding anchors of our regional economy — deepened their commitments. Amgen began construction on a $600 million science and innovation center designed to accelerate drug discovery through automation and digital technologies. It is one of the largest private investments in the area’s history and reflects confidence in our workforce and long-term competitiveness. Takeda completed a $170 million expansion to reinforce its clinical development and manufacturing capabilities. Together, these projects solidify the Conejo Valley as a leader in global biopharmaceutical innovation.
Next-generation companies are also driving growth. Westlake Village BioPartners, one of the nation’s leading life science venture firms, has fueled the launch and expansion of companies such as Acelyrin, Capsida Biotherapeutics, and Latigo Biotherapeutics. Latigo’s emergence in 2024 with $135 million in Series A financing — focused on a non-opioid pain platform — brought national attention to the region and underscored the depth of scientific talent here.
Agoura Hills is adding to this momentum with A2 Biotherapeutics, launched by former Amgen executives, expanding into a 76,000-square-foot headquarters focused on solid-tumor therapeutics. The project reflects how deeply scientific innovation and entrepreneurial expertise continue to thrive across the region.
Infrastructure is keeping pace as well. Westlake Labs, a new modular research campus, will soon provide much-needed modern laboratory space for both start-ups and established companies. Access to flexible lab facilities is essential for long-term resilience, and this development represents a major step forward for the area’s innovation capacity.
These advancements are not only scientific — they are economic. According to Biocom California’s 2025 Life Science Economic Impact Report, Ventura County now supports more than 5,400 direct life science jobs with average annual wages exceeding $132,000 — the highest in the Greater Los Angeles region. The ripple effects extend into construction, education, logistics, housing, professional services, and small businesses. For residents, this means greater job stability, expanded career pathways, and opportunities for future generations to build meaningful careers close to home.
Capturing the full value of this moment requires forward-thinking leadership — and that begins locally. The city of Thousand Oaks has set the pace, adopting a proactive General Plan update that prioritizes housing, modernizes land-use policies, and lays the foundation for a vibrant future downtown. This long-range vision is already paying dividends by attracting new biotech companies and encouraging reinvestment by established employers.
Ventura County has also taken important steps. Recent improvements to planning, zoning, and permitting — strongly supported by the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce — have created a more predictable, business-friendly environment for employers, property owners, and innovators across the region.
At the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, we remain committed to advancing policies that support innovation while preserving the exceptional quality of life that defines our region. We partner with K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities to build strong, inclusive pathways into life sciences and other high-growth fields. We work closely with local governments to modernize standards for research and manufacturing facilities and to promote a business climate where cutting-edge companies can thrive.
The Conejo Valley’s life science moment is here — driven by global leaders, emerging innovators, modern infrastructure, and a highly skilled workforce. With Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and Agoura Hills aligned, our region is poised to become one of the nation’s premier hubs for discovery and innovation.
Now is the time to nurture this momentum, remove barriers to responsible growth, and ensure the Conejo Valley remains a place where life-changing breakthroughs are imagined, developed, and delivered to the world.
Danielle Borja is President/CEO of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Conejo Valley’s life science moment has arrived | Opinion
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