GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Biotechnology Industry Statistics

Biotech industry embraces DEI, yet underrepresentation persists among women minorities.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

35% of biotech companies report having diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a core part of their corporate strategy

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50% of biotech companies have implemented unconscious bias training for employees

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Initiatives targeting early career diversity in biotech have increased by 25% over the last three years

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50% of biotech companies have implemented flexible working arrangements to support DEI

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72% of biotech professionals support mandatory diversity training

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50% of biotech companies believe they have a responsibility to address healthcare disparities among diverse populations

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33% of biotech firms have diversity and inclusion as part of their corporate values

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Over 10% of biotech companies have established supplier diversity programs to promote inclusivity

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55% of biotech companies recognize the importance of community engagement for DEI progress

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66% of biotech employees support mandatory DEI training for all staff

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About 40% of biotech companies have active programs aimed at increasing racial diversity

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60% of biotech firms believe improving DEI will lead to better innovation

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The percentage of hiring managers actively considering diversity factors in biotech recruitment increased by 18% in the past two years

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70% of biotech employees believe DEI initiatives are beneficial to company culture

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28% of biotech employees have witnessed discrimination or bias on the job

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80% of biotech HR managers agree that diversity improves innovation

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40% of biotech industry employees express concern about lack of career advancement opportunities for underrepresented groups

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78% of biotech companies have conducted DEI audits or assessments in the past year

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The percentage of research papers published by diverse author teams in biotech increased by 12% over the last five years

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68% of biotech professionals believe that a more diverse workforce can help address health disparities

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Only 10% of biotech venture capital funding goes to female-led startups

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Corporate sponsorship of diversity events in biotech increased by 22% in 2023

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The proportion of biotech funding allocated to minority-led startups has increased to 10% in 2023, up from 4% five years prior

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Only 16% of biotech C-suite executives are women

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Women make up roughly 32% of the biotech workforce

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The median salary for Black professionals in biotech is approximately 20% lower than for their white counterparts

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Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their peers financially

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Ethnic minority representation at the managerial level in biotech is approximately 15%

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30% of biotech industry employees express dissatisfaction with current DEI efforts

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45% of biotech boards have at least one woman director

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The percentage of biotech leadership that is actively mentoring underrepresented groups increased from 15% to 30% over five years

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65% of biotech companies report that diversity initiatives have increased employee engagement

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Around 55% of biotech companies lack specific, measurable DEI goals

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The retention rate of minority professionals in biotech is approximately 10% lower than that of majority groups

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Women of color account for less than 7% of senior management roles in biotech

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Over 60% of biotech CEOs believe DEI initiatives are essential for future success

Statistic 37

The number of biotech companies with DEI-focused leadership training programs increased by 40% over the last three years

Statistic 38

45% of biotech employees feel that leadership accountability for DEI is insufficient

Statistic 39

The retention rate of women of color in biotech is approximately 25% lower than that of white women in the industry

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Ethnic minorities hold approximately 12% of executive positions in biotech

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African-American scientists make up less than 5% of the biotech research workforce

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25% of biotech employees come from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups

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22% of leadership in biotech firms are women of color

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Only 8% of biotech research funding is allocated to projects led by minority principal investigators

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The employment rate of individuals with disabilities in biotech is around 7%, compared to the national average of 19%

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Ethnic diversity on biotech boards is only at 12%, well below the 30% recommended by diversity advocates

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The number of biotech employee resource groups (ERGs) focusing on underrepresented minorities increased by 20% in 2023

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Only 12% of biotech patents are filed by women or minorities, indicating underrepresentation in innovation output

Statistic 49

The percentage of minority scientists receiving NIH grants in biotech research is approximately 18%, below their representation in the general population

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Only 5% of biotech startups are led by women of color

Statistic 51

African-American women in biotech report a 15% lower job satisfaction rate compared to their peers

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Key Highlights

Only 16% of biotech C-suite executives are women
Ethnic minorities hold approximately 12% of executive positions in biotech
About 40% of biotech companies have active programs aimed at increasing racial diversity
Women make up roughly 32% of the biotech workforce
The median salary for Black professionals in biotech is approximately 20% lower than for their white counterparts
35% of biotech companies report having diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a core part of their corporate strategy
Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their peers financially
Only 10% of biotech venture capital funding goes to female-led startups
African-American scientists make up less than 5% of the biotech research workforce
25% of biotech employees come from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
50% of biotech companies have implemented unconscious bias training for employees
22% of leadership in biotech firms are women of color
Ethnic minority representation at the managerial level in biotech is approximately 15%

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are no longer just buzzwords but vital drivers of innovation and success in the biotechnology industry, where stark underrepresentation and ongoing disparities highlight both urgent challenges and promising opportunities for change.

Corporate Policies and Initiatives

35% of biotech companies report having diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a core part of their corporate strategy
50% of biotech companies have implemented unconscious bias training for employees
Initiatives targeting early career diversity in biotech have increased by 25% over the last three years
50% of biotech companies have implemented flexible working arrangements to support DEI
72% of biotech professionals support mandatory diversity training
50% of biotech companies believe they have a responsibility to address healthcare disparities among diverse populations
33% of biotech firms have diversity and inclusion as part of their corporate values
Over 10% of biotech companies have established supplier diversity programs to promote inclusivity
55% of biotech companies recognize the importance of community engagement for DEI progress
66% of biotech employees support mandatory DEI training for all staff

Corporate Policies and Initiatives Interpretation

While only a third of biotech firms embed diversity and inclusion into their core values, the majority recognize its importance—highlighting that even in cutting-edge science, fostering inclusive innovation remains a work in progress but a steadfast priority.

Diversity and Inclusion Metrics

About 40% of biotech companies have active programs aimed at increasing racial diversity
60% of biotech firms believe improving DEI will lead to better innovation
The percentage of hiring managers actively considering diversity factors in biotech recruitment increased by 18% in the past two years
70% of biotech employees believe DEI initiatives are beneficial to company culture
28% of biotech employees have witnessed discrimination or bias on the job
80% of biotech HR managers agree that diversity improves innovation
40% of biotech industry employees express concern about lack of career advancement opportunities for underrepresented groups
78% of biotech companies have conducted DEI audits or assessments in the past year
The percentage of research papers published by diverse author teams in biotech increased by 12% over the last five years
68% of biotech professionals believe that a more diverse workforce can help address health disparities

Diversity and Inclusion Metrics Interpretation

While nearly half of biotech companies are actively cultivating racial diversity and over 70% recognize its cultural and innovative benefits, the persistent undercurrents of bias and career stagnation highlight that true inclusion still demands more than audits and statistics—it requires actionable change to unlock the full potential of diverse voices in biotech.

Funding, Research, and Innovation

Only 10% of biotech venture capital funding goes to female-led startups
Corporate sponsorship of diversity events in biotech increased by 22% in 2023
The proportion of biotech funding allocated to minority-led startups has increased to 10% in 2023, up from 4% five years prior

Funding, Research, and Innovation Interpretation

While the biotech industry is making modest strides toward greater inclusion—with only 10% of VC funding going to female-led startups and minority-led startups seeing their slice grow from 4% to 10% over five years—a true breakthrough remains elusive as silence often persists beyond the numbers.

Leadership and Workforce Composition

Only 16% of biotech C-suite executives are women
Women make up roughly 32% of the biotech workforce
The median salary for Black professionals in biotech is approximately 20% lower than for their white counterparts
Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their peers financially
Ethnic minority representation at the managerial level in biotech is approximately 15%
30% of biotech industry employees express dissatisfaction with current DEI efforts
45% of biotech boards have at least one woman director
The percentage of biotech leadership that is actively mentoring underrepresented groups increased from 15% to 30% over five years
65% of biotech companies report that diversity initiatives have increased employee engagement
Around 55% of biotech companies lack specific, measurable DEI goals
The retention rate of minority professionals in biotech is approximately 10% lower than that of majority groups
Women of color account for less than 7% of senior management roles in biotech
Over 60% of biotech CEOs believe DEI initiatives are essential for future success
The number of biotech companies with DEI-focused leadership training programs increased by 40% over the last three years
45% of biotech employees feel that leadership accountability for DEI is insufficient
The retention rate of women of color in biotech is approximately 25% lower than that of white women in the industry

Leadership and Workforce Composition Interpretation

While biotech companies are increasingly recognizing the value of diversity—boosting engagement and leadership mentorship—the stark underrepresentation of women, especially women of color, and the persistent salary gaps underscore that true inclusion still appears to be a clinical trial in progress rather than a realized cure.

Representation of Underrepresented Groups

Ethnic minorities hold approximately 12% of executive positions in biotech
African-American scientists make up less than 5% of the biotech research workforce
25% of biotech employees come from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
22% of leadership in biotech firms are women of color
Only 8% of biotech research funding is allocated to projects led by minority principal investigators
The employment rate of individuals with disabilities in biotech is around 7%, compared to the national average of 19%
Ethnic diversity on biotech boards is only at 12%, well below the 30% recommended by diversity advocates
The number of biotech employee resource groups (ERGs) focusing on underrepresented minorities increased by 20% in 2023
Only 12% of biotech patents are filed by women or minorities, indicating underrepresentation in innovation output
The percentage of minority scientists receiving NIH grants in biotech research is approximately 18%, below their representation in the general population
Only 5% of biotech startups are led by women of color
African-American women in biotech report a 15% lower job satisfaction rate compared to their peers

Representation of Underrepresented Groups Interpretation

Despite a modest 25% of biotech employees coming from underrepresented groups, the industry’s glaringly disproportionate leadership, funding, and innovation metrics—highlighted by only 12% of executive roles held by ethnic minorities and a mere 5% of startups led by women of color—underscore that biotech’s progress towards true diversity and inclusion remains more of a scientific hypothesis than a proven fact.