How South San Francisco Went From Industrial City to Biotech Hub

When scientists began tinkering with DNA in the 1970s, biotechnology was not welcome in leafy residential neighborhoods or many college towns. But it was embraced by an industrial city by the Bay. In today's episode we come to learn how South San Francisco became one of the world's most valuable hubs of biotech. Additional Resources: How South San Francisco Became the Birthplace of Biotechnology Read the transcript for this episode Sign up for our newsletter Got a question you want answered? Ask! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to This story was reported by Lesley McClurg. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Christopher Beale and Olivia Allen-Price. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on Team KQED. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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How South San Francisco Went From Industrial City to Biotech Hub is an episode from Bay Curious by KQED.

This episode is 17:28 long.

This episode was published on Mar 5, 2026.

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